Counseling Center

DARCY LUCAS

Students: A-Ce

JAMIE LISI

Students: Ch-Gi

Amy MORAIS

Students: Gj-K

David Mesh

Students: L-O

JAnie Smith

Students: P-Sn

Janna cash

 Students: So-Z

Torre Tipton 

Students: A-K 

Katherine Kraai 

Students: L-Z

Kathy Cavaleri

Wendy Bermond

Head Registrar 

Kasey Doolittle

Registrar 

Jessica Bogina

Administrative Assistant

Susan Mikuls

Administrative Assistant

Please visit the Registrar's Office to learn how to enroll new students.

Welcome to Park Hill High School!  We have included information here that we hope will be helpful to you as you get started at PHHS.https://secure.smore.com/n/6b0dg

Graduation Requirements

• English Language Arts: 4
• Social Studies: 3
• Science: 3 (Bio and Chem required)
• Mathematics: 3 (Algebra II min)
• Physical Education: 1
• Fine Arts: 1
• Practical Arts: 1
• Health: .5
• Personal Finance: .5
• Electives: 11
• Total: 28

College Bound Recommendations

• 2 credits of a single foreign language
• At least one of each of the four core classes each year     
  • English
  • Math
    •  Some colleges require 4 years of math for admission (may not be exactly this but these would be common examples: 
      • Regular track - at least Algebra I A/B, Geometry, Algebra II A/B, Intermediate College Algebra and/or College Algebra
      • Accelerated track - at least Accelerated Geometry, Accelerated Algebra II, Accelerated Trigonometry, Math Analysis and/or College Algebra
  •  Science
  • Social Studies
• At least one AP course before graduation

9-11th parent presentation
8th parent presentation

Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 6:30 PM.

Session 1:
 - Current 8th grade student presentation - Auditorium - we will present to all current 8th grade parents about enrolling for the freshman year.
 - Current 9-11th grade student presentation - Library/Media Center Atrium - we will present to all rising 10-12 grade parents.

Session 2:
- Informational booths outside the PH Media Center - Northland Career Center, NCAPS, Park Hill Professional Studies, A+, Early College Academy

All enrollment presentations will be sent out to students/parents via email and posted in Schoology in their grade level groups.  Presentations will be given in each individual homeroom.

• Class of 2026 - presentation January 13- individual enrollment meetings with counselors will take place starting on January 14 through the end of the month - form due a week after individual meeting with counselor
• Class of 2027 - presentation January 21 - forms due January 27 to homeroom teacher.
• Class of 2028 - presentation January 27 - forms due February 3 to homeroom teacher.
• Class of 2029 - forms due February 7 to counselor.

**These documents are currently being revised and will be posted as they are updated.**

• Class of 2029 enrollment form
  • 8th grade presentation (rising freshmen)
• Class of 2028 enrollment form
  • 9th grade presentation (rising sophomores)
• Class of 2027 enrollment form
  • 10th grade presentation (rising juniors)
• Class of 2026 enrollment form
  • 11th grade presentation (rising seniors)

All special program applications and Open House information for those programs can be found here:
https://secure.smore.com/n/35n12

Tentative summer school start date is June 2 per district calendar (subject to change pending snow days). 

Sign up for summer school here.

Please visit Mrs. Reys' A+ page for more information about A+:  https://phhs.parkhill.k12.mo.us/students/a-information

*It is highly recommended that college bound students enroll in AP courses.
 

• Each high school in the Park Hill School District offers numerous Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

• AP courses provide students a rigorous college‐level curriculum as defined by the College Entrance Examination Board. 

• If students receive a qualifying grade on an AP exam given in May, they may be eligible for advanced placement or course credits at the vast majority of colleges and universities in the United States. The amount of college credit available is determined by the college/university. Click here to find out how those credits transfer to your college of interest.

• Students enrolled in AP coursework are expected to sit for and make an effort on the corresponding AP Exam in May. 
• Students who complete an AP course will have the course grade weighted.
• To assist students for preparation of the exams, AP teachers offer review sessions prior to testing. 
• For students opting to take the exam, the College Board has an associated testing fee for each exam, and fee waivers are available. For information on fee waiver eligibility or any information regarding Advanced Placement, students may access www.collegeboard.com, contact their student’s counselor, or the AP Coordinator. 

Please see the district website for more information about AVID.  https://www.parkhill.k12.mo.us/families/avid

We will conduct AVID interviews during the spring with current 8th grade students.

Xello
Students will take a variety of career exploration surveys in Xello throughout their four years in high school.  

ASVAB Career Exploration Program
If you are interested in learning more about the ASVAB, contact Mr. Mesh in the counseling office.

Pre-ACT Test
All 9th and 10th grade students will take the Pre-ACT test during the spring.  The results will provide students will valuable college and career information.

Career Resources
Department of Labor and Statistics
O*NET Online
Full Employment Council

3/6/25 - 11th Grade College Planning Presentation 
2/12/25 - 9th/10th Grade College Planning Presentation
9/4/24 - Senior College Planning Presentation 
Counseling Senior Smore

This is a great resource provided by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.  It is "a guide for Missouri students about planning and paying for college, including information about federal and state grants, scholarships, loans, and assistance completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The booklet also contains worksheets to help students compare college costs and select their best-fit for college."

• The Missouri Source Fall 2024 edition

Park Hill Dual Credit Coordinator
Dr. Deborah Miller
millerd@parkhill.k12.mo.us
816-359-5894

Dual Credit

In cooperation with The Metropolitan Community College, the Park Hill School District offers dual‐credit coursework. For certain courses taken for high school credit, students have an option to obtain college credit if eligible. The high school courses with possible dual‐credit availability are indicated in the department listings. Such dual credit offerings are contingent upon staff availability and student demand. To enroll for college credit, the Missouri Department of Higher Education has eligibility guidelines. 

Spring 2025 Dual Credit Enrollment Handout
Accuplacer Testing

Counselors meet with their students each year to review their Individual Career and Academic Plan (also known as the ICAP).  For the current year, the plan to review these plans is as follows:
- 12th grade - September
- 9th grade - October
- 10th grade - November
- 11th grade - January

For a sample ICAP, please click here.  ICAPS are also stored in Infinite Campus under the Academic Planning tab.

 

Please visit the Professional Studies page on the district website for more information.

Park Hill Professional Studies

Click here to view our school profile.

What's the difference between the SAT and the ACT?

Both are college admissions exams. Check to see which assessment your college requires. Historically, most mid-west schools examine the ACT and schools on the east/west and ivy league schools look more at the SAT, however, both ACT/SAT are accepted for admissions at colleges/universities across the country. This article gives good insight on which test to take. 

This photo gives a snapshot of the ACT and SAT, and this photo gives an overview of each test's format. 

Should I take the writing section of the ACT?

Check to see if the University you plan to attend requires it. Most schools do not require it; however, there are a few that do. It is not figured into your composite score; it is an additional score.​

​Do I have to register for the district wide ACT test in March?

No.  PHHS will register and pay for all current juniors for the district wide ACT test date in March.

​Since I have to take the district wide ACT test as a junior, should I register for another test my junior year or have the district wide test be my first test?

It is our recommendation that all juniors take at least one national ACT test before they take the district wide test in March of their junior year. Many students will take the December test during their junior year before they take the district wide test in March.
 

• College Entrance Exam Required by most Colleges
• Sign up at www.actstudent.org
• Park Hill Hosts ACT tests on each test date
• Park Hill High School Code 262-545
• Park Hill Test Center Code 191410
• Cost: $69.00 (No Writing)
• Cost: $94.00 (With Writing-most of our students do NOT need this-check with your specific college of interest)

2024-2025 National Test Dates

• Students that want to test on a national date need to sign up online through their ACT account.
• Students may be eligible for a fee waiver for national test dates, so they should see their counselor with questions.

Local Test Information

• All juniors enrolled at Park Hill High School will take the ACT test on March 11th.  
• The school takes care of signing up all juniors for this test and students will fill out any required paperwork for the test at school during homeroom time.
• Students will not pay a fee for this test. 

Documents

• Where will your ACT take you?
• Local/regional ACT requirements for scholarships

***Park Hill High School does not endorse any particular test preparation company or service over another. The school will post information about reputable, high quality programs at its discretion.***

• zaps act wORKSHOP

  • February 28 - all day - will miss all classes except for part of 4th block
  • $110 ($99 if register before February 18)
  • Register HERE

• ACT ONLINE PREP (free)

  • ACT Prep materials through ACT: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/free-act-test-prep.html
  • ACT also has several options for prep that include an extra fee.

• Mid-Continent Public Library (free)

  • Free practice ACT tests  - search for ACT Test to find events (search here for options)

• COMMUNITY EDUCATION

  • Visit ACT Prep Class / Math Mania for more information

• PRIVATE COMPANIES (THERE ARE MORE, THIS IS JUST A SMALL SAMPLE)

  • KAPLAN

    • Kaplan provides a variety of test preparation options along with free, practice tests. Kaplan also offers affordable, ACT cram sessions; find out more about those by clicking here.
  • THE TUTORING CENTER

  • GET SMARTER PREP

  • PowerPrEP

  • test Geek

• All 9th and 10th graders take the Pre-ACT test on Super Test Day at Park Hill High School on March 11th.
• Pre-ACT test measures academic progress in high school
• Improves students' preparation for education, training, and work after high school 
• Pre-ACT has content similar to the ACT® test.
• Pre-ACT is a great way to prepare for the ACT. In fact, students who take Pre-ACT tend to score higher on the ACT than students who do not take it.
• Covers the same subjects as ACT—English, math, reading, and science (no writing section)
• Provides estimated ACT score range
• Points out academic strengths and areas where improvement is needed 
• Indicates college readiness for each sub-area
• Pre-ACT helps them find careers that match their interests 

Using your Pre-ACT results.

WHAT IS THE PSAT TEST?

• Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)
• A rigorous, national assessment that measures the critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills your students will need for higher education and careers after high school. 
• Gives  valuable information for planning coursework, making recommendations for scholarships, and advising secondary plans. 
• Provides AP Potential, which is data showing a student is 70% likely to get a 3, 4, or 5 on specific AP courses.
• Very  important to take advantage of this opportunity if planning to attend a 4-year University. 
• Students take the PSAT test during their sophomore and junior years of high school.
• The sophomore PSAT prepares students for taking the PSAT/NMSQT during their junior year. 
• During the junior year, the PSAT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.  

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR THE PSAT TEST?

• Date: October 16 
• Deadline: Sign up deadline is September 18.
• Time: Testing begins promptly at 8:10 and typically lasts approximately 3 hours. Students need to check in no later than 8:00 to their testing room. 
• Cost: The cost is $20.00  
• Sign Up: CLICK HERE 
• Payment: Pay with cash or check with the bookkeeper or pay online using the Parent Portal after registration closes.
  • Please make checks payable to Park Hill High School (PHHS)
  • Application fee waivers are available to those who qualify.  Please talk to your counselor with questions.

PSAT TEST PREP

• KAPLAN TEST PREP

  • PSAT Prep Live is the only free, live PSAT prep program available to students online, and features 16 hours of interactive test prep led our Prep Squad. Students can ask questions and learn key strategies that can help improve their scores. 

• KHAN ACADEMY

  • Khan Academy is a partner of College Board which does the PSAT test.  They have FREE online test prep materials for the SAT which would also be appropriate to look at for the PSAT.  If a student took the PSAT as a junior, they should log into their PSAT account through College Board and access Khan Academy.

​​
PSAT Results

Students can access PSAT scores online.
​

• College Entrance Exam 
• Sign up here
• Park Hill does not host SAT exams
• Park Hill High School Code 262-545

Please visit this page for SAT test dates.     

Please visit this page for SAT cost information (waivers available for qualifying students).

Some colleges/universities may require SAT subject tests. For more information, visit this page. 

Our scholarship list is housed in Xello (log in from the Park Hill Portal). 

After logging into your Xello account:

1. Click on College Planning
2. Under Scholarships, select BOOST PROFILE or COMPLETE PROFILE.
   This step allows you to expand the list of scholarships to ones that meet your criteria.
3. Once you complete this step, you will get a list of scholarships.  

• Park Hill School District Scholarship Initiative - parents can opt seniors in to be a part of this opportunity. 
• Greater Kansas City Community Foundation - Kansas City metro area students
• MyScholarshipCentral - for Missouri students
• GreatJobsKC/KC Scholars
• Fastweb
• BigFuture
• College Board
• Saving for College
• Khan Academy
• Raise.me

FAFSA Assistance
Need help completing your FAFSA or have questions that you need answered?  Listed below are some events in the area to get assistance with the FAFSA.

MOCAN FAFSA Assistance Zoom Call
Click here to make an appointment

Maple Woods FAFSA Frenzy
February 28 - 2:00-6:00 
Register - https://mcc.radiusbycampusmgmt.com/ssc/eform/zG070cfEC68Fx6700mB8.ssc

Federal Student Aid
Many resources regarding paying for college

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Determine your eligibility for federal student loans, pell grants and work study.

Financial Aid
Aid calculator and scholarship search

Grants and Loans
Information from NASFAA about applying for grants and loans

Need a letter of recommendation for a scholarship?
Provide your counselor/teacher/coach with one of the following:

• Resume
  • You can create a resume using a program such as Microsoft Word.  There are hundreds of templates to use to get you started.
  • Xello also has a resume tool that you could use.
• Student Questionnaire

Park Hill School District Student and Family Support Resources

Mental Health and Crisis Resources

Other resources:

• Park Hill Virtual Relaxation Room
• Building Better Brains
• Growth Mindset
• Brene Brown Empathy
• "Under the Surface" Empathy

• All for Moms Foundation - All For Moms Foundation | Charity
• City Union Mission - https://cityunionmission.org/
• Food Banks - https://www.harvesters.org/how-to-help/volunteer
• Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter - https://www.parkvilleshelter.com/
• Great Plains SPCA - https://www.greatplainsspca.org/volunteer/
• Habitat for Humanity - http://www.habitatkc.org/
• KC Pet Project - https://kcpetproject.org/volunteer/
• KC United Way - http://www.unitedwaygkc.org/get-involved/volunteer​
• Kansas City Zoo - https://kansascityzoo.org/volunteers
• North Kansas City Hospital - https://www.nkch.org/community/volunteer-info/​
• Reach Out and Read KC - http://www.reachoutandreadkc.org/content.php?id=10002#volunteer_overview
• Recycling Centers - https://bridgingthegap.org/volunteer/
• Volunteer Kansas - http://www.volunteerkansas.org/
• Volunteer Match - https://www.volunteermatch.org/
• Wayside Waifs - https://secure.waysidewaifs.org/site/SPageServer/?pagename=Volunteer_new
• Youth Volunteer Corps of Greater Kansas City - http://www.yvckc.org/volunteer.html

(Please note this is not an exhaustive list of all volunteer opportunities available in the KC Metro area.)

Please click on this link for an updated list of summer opportunities.  Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all opportunities.  These are ones that are sent to us directly.