Academic & College Counseling

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Four Years of Support

The CHS Counseling Department provides a comprehensive, four-year approach to academic, college, and career planning. Counselors support students and families through individualized guidance and ongoing support to ensure every student graduates with a clear and confident post–high school plan. As part of the Counseling Department, the College and Career Resource Center provides resources, workshops, and programming that support students from freshman through senior year.

FRESHMAN YEAR: Planning Checklist & Events

Freshman year focuses on building awareness and establishing a strong academic and postsecondary foundation.

Freshman Year
Planning Checklist

Freshman Events:

Freshman Activity Fair (during school hours first semester)
Financial Aid Night (10/22)
Freshman/Sophomore College & Career Planning Night (2/19)
College and Career Exploration Fairs (watch Canvas messages)

Fall Semester:

Focus on grades and use resources for academic success
Use your SSRT time wisely: do homework and/or meet with teachers
If you need help, be sure to ask!
Get involved in CHS clubs and activities or seek out community opportunities
From the CCS Student Portal, launch Naviance and enter personal email
Explore Naviance Student resources
Take PSAT
Sign-up for CHS College Rep Visits during SSRT

Spring Semester:

Plan a realistically rigorous sophomore year schedule with your counselor
Take Naviance Student Self-Discovery Assessments
Explore careers – job shadow
Explore majors and training options
Look into summer learning programs
Begin building a resume in Naviance Student

Summer:

Find summer work, internship, and volunteer opportunities
Initial college visits

SOPHOMORE YEAR: Planning Checklist & Events

Sophomore year emphasizes exploration and aligning coursework with emerging interests.

Sophomore Year
Planning Checklist

Sophomore Events:

CHS Majors & Careers Fairs (Fall & Spring)
Financial Aid Night (10/22)
Freshman/Sophomore College & Career Planning Night (2/19)

Fall Semester:

Focus on grades and use resources for academic success
Use SSRT time wisely
Expand involvement on & off campus - look for leadership opportunities
Continue to build resume
Take Naviance self-discovery assessments
Sign-up for CHS College Rep Visits during SSRT
Explore Naviance career research resources
Take PSAT
Plan realistically rigorous junior year schedule with your counselor

Spring Semester:

Explore careers through job shadows and internships
Explore majors and training options
Build meaningful relationships with teachers
Look into summer learning programs
- TeenLife summer experience finder

Summer:

Find summer work/internship
SAT/ACT Preparation
Initial college visits

JUNIOR YEAR: Planning Checklist & Events

Junior year is a pivotal time for focused preparation and active planning.

JUNIOr Year
Planning Checklist

Junior Events:

Junior/Senior College & Career Planning Night (9/16)
Fall College Rep Visits (SSRT)
HBCU College Fair @ Noblesville HS (10/1)
Hamilton County College Fair @ Fishers High School (9/11)
Financial Aid Night (10/22)
Greater Indy Northside College Fair @ Greyhound Activity Center (3/11)
CHS Majors & Career Fairs
Military Recruiter Visits

Fall Semester:

Focus on grades and use resources for academic success
Take PSAT/NMSQT
Attend Junior/Senior College & Career Planning Night
Explore financial aid options at CHS Financial Aid Night
Research majors & careers using Naviance
Build list of colleges to research using Naviance
College visits – sign up and ask questions of college reps during CHS visits

Spring Semester:

Plan a strong senior-year schedule with your counselor
Take SAT and ACT
Meet with a College & Career Counselor in the CCRC
Review Naviance self-discovery assessments
Sign-up for CHS College Rep Visits during SSRT
Research colleges on your list using Naviance
Visit colleges
Update resume in Naviance

Summer:

Prepare for final SAT or ACT
Utilize College Application Bootcamp Canvas course
Finalize your college list and visit top choice campuses
Get organized for the application process
Begin rough drafts of college app essays
Gather supplemental materials: recommendations, resume, etc.

SENIOR YEAR: Planning Checklist & Events

Senior year centers on completing applications and preparing for the transition beyond high school.

SENIOR Year
Planning Checklist

Senior Events:

SSRT College App & Essay Help Sessions (SSRT Aug-Nov)
HBCU College Fair @ Noblesville HS (10/1)
Hamilton County College Fair @ Fishers High School (9/11)
Junior/Senior College & Career Planning Night (9/16)
Financial Aid Night (10/22)
FAFSA Completion Workshop (1/21)
After the FAFSA: Finalizing Financial Aid Presentation (3/31)
Skilled Trades Majors & Careers Fair (4/21)
CHS Community Scholarship Night (5/20)
Commencement (5/22)

Graduation Planning:

Senior meetings with counselors (Sept-Oct) - review diploma requirements and discuss future plans.
Senor Pictures: Must be scheduled with PrestigePortraits/Lifetouch by 10/18
Grad Announcements and Cap & Gown presentation during SSRT (October)
Graduation Announcement Delivery & Cap/Gown pick up (April)
Report scholarship awards for recognition at graduation (May)
Commencement (5/22)

Fall Semester:

Check your email REGULARLY!
Watch the College Application Process Video in the CHS Counseling Canvas course
Retake SAT or ACT if desired & submit scores to colleges if required
Update your resume
Complete Counselor Recommendation Survey in Naviance by 9/15, if a counselor rec is needed
Request teacher recommendations and complete Teacher Recommendation Form in Naviance if needed
Sign-up in Naviance for College Application & Essay Help Sessions and College Rep Visits during SSRT
Take advantage of free applications during Indiana College Go Week 10/22-10/26
Apply to colleges by stated deadlines (11/1, 12/1, 1/1 are popular deadlines)
Request all school materials for college apps at least two weeks in advance (12/5 for deadlines over Winter Break)

Spring Semester:

Finish your senior year STRONG and maintain good attendance and study habits
Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Indiana 4/15 deadline
- NOTE: some colleges require submission of the FAFSA earlier than the State deadline
Search and apply for scholarships – late fall, early winter
Attend CHS “After the FAFSA” Program (March) and compare financial aid offers
Finalize your college choice – National College Decision Day is 5/1
Complete CHS Senior Survey (May)
Transfer items from your CCS Google Folder to personal files if wanted after graduation
Request your final transcript in Naviance for your college of choice (May)
Check your email REGULARLY for information about college housing, scholarship opportunities, new student orientation

Summer:

Send final transcript to your chosen college
If participating in athletics in college, send final transcript to NCAA Clearinghouse or NAIA Clearinghouse
Send dual credit transcripts and AP exam scores to your chosen college
Participate in college orientation programs and take advantage of academic advising resources
Find summer work/internship
Update your resume for college or work purposes

Resources

Canvas Course: CHS Counseling

The CHS Counseling Canvas Course serves as a central hub for students, providing easy access to past and upcoming events, important announcements, counseling resources, and step by step guidance for registration and course selection. Students are encouraged to check the course regularly for timely updates and planning support throughout the school year.

CHS Counseling Canvas Course

College & Career Resource Center

Naviance Student

Naviance Student provides student and parents a multitude of resources to assist in the college and career research process. College profiles and acceptance history, transcript and letter of recommendation requests, career inventories, resume builders and many other tools are a few of the many tools available.

Accessed via the Single Sign-On process in the CCS Student Portal
Select the Naviance logo
Review College Application Overview Video for assistance

Naviance Student Overview

Tutoring

Counseling Department Contacts

Administrative Staff

Name	Position	Contact
Kevin McDonough	Director of Counseling	kmcdonou@ccs.k12.in.us
Wendy Pemberton	Registrar	wnordhof@ccs.k12.in.us
Robyn Schroeder	Freshmen Counseling Center Administrative Assistant	rschroed@ccs.k12.in.us
Pat Barker	10-12 Counseling Center Administrative Assistant	pbarker@ccs.k12.in.us
Leah Owens	10-12 Counseling Center Administrative Assistant	lowens@ccs.k12.in.us

Grade 9 Counseling Staff

Counselor	Students
Dave Schleper	Freshman Floor 1
Kate Barsten	Freshman Floor 1 Freshman Floor 2
Cary Schwartz	Freshman Floor 2 Freshman Floor 3
Leslie Brown	Freshman Floor 3

2025-2026 Counselor Assignments

Grades 10-12 Counseling Staff

School Social Workers

Counselor	Students
Chandra Carter-Mendoza	Freshman Social Worker
Sara Knoop	Grades 10-12 Social Worker Jobito, Clark, Danubio
Kristy Tweedy	Grades 10-12 Social Worker Moorehead, Harbor, Payne, Stuelpe
Taryn Mitson	Grades 10-12 Social Worker Wilson-Frank, Cuningham, Torvik, Wernke

College & Career Resource Center Staff

Counselor	Position	Contact
Melinda Stephan	College & Career Resource Center Coordinator	mstephan@ccs.k12.in.us
Elizabeth Henke	College & Career Resource Center Advisor	ehenke@ccs.k12.in.us
Harry Pettibone	College & Career Resource Center Advisor	hpettibo@ccs.k12.in.us

Request Appointment

CCRC is located in room B107 across from the CHS 10-12 Counseling Office. Counselors are available daily between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Login to the PowerSchool Student Portal
Click on Forms
Select College & Career Resource Center among the Meeting Request

PowerSchool Student Portal

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College Profile

CHS Counseling DATA

Counseling Data