Counseling

9th Grade Website

Please contact the Guidance Office or your student's counselor for more information on the following support services.

Programs/Resources

College Possible
A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping promising low-income young people prepare for and earn admission to college. This program’s mission is to identify low-income juniors and seniors who have the motivation and potential for college, and then provide them with four critical services: 1) ACT and SAT test preparation, 2) intensive guidance in preparing college applications, 3) help in obtaining financial aid, and 4) guidance in transition to college. Applicants should have earned a 2.5 GPA, passed the basic standards tests, and demonstrated a solid attendance record.

Advisory
All students are assigned an Advisory teacher and generally stay with the same Advisory teacher all four years of high school. Advisory is used to communicate and interpret school policies, procedures, and processes, distribute midterm/quarter progress reports, and disseminate information about programs, activities, and events. 

After-School Math Help
The Math Resource Room is open for math help on an "as-requested" need after school. Math help is also available after school during ELT on Wednesdays (3:35 p.m.). AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination): An in-house academic support program that prepares students for college eligibility and success. The program targets academically average students and places them in advanced courses, while supporting them in the AVID elective. AVID services students who are traditionally underrepresented on four-year college campuses. Students interested in the program must apply and go through the selection process.

Fresh Start
A transitions program intended to identify and support freshmen who may struggle but not qualify for other services. The purpose of Fresh Start is to have students earn 12 credits their freshman year. The program specifically focuses on the four core subject areas of English, mathematics, science and social studies, providing academic tutoring and, when necessary, behavioral and emotional guidance.

Link Crew
A high school transition program that welcomes freshmen and helps them feel comfortable throughout their first year of high school. Built on the belief that students can help students succeed, Link Crew trains members of the junior and senior classes to be Link leaders. As positive role models, Link leaders are motivators, leaders and teachers who guide the freshmen to discover what it takes to be successful during the transition to high school and help facilitate freshman success.

Resource Rooms
Available to students during their study halls. Students must get a pass from a teacher to use a resource room and to be excused from their study hall.
 

Credit Recovery Options

GED (General Equivalency Diploma)
The Robbinsdale Adult Academic Program located in New Hope provides preparation for the GED. A certified staff of teachers helps students gain the knowledge to pass the GED test. Students cannot earn a GED until their high school class has graduated. Call 763-504-8300 to schedule an appointment.

Independent Study
A state-certified program for students 16 years of age or older who are at risk of not graduating from high school. Students meet once a week with their teacher(s) and then complete assignments, usually as packet-based work. Most students use this option to make up one or two credits, often while attending high school. An Independent Study form must be completed by the student’s counselor. 

Math Remediation
An after-school remediation program the Math Department offers for seniors. There is also a summer prep class available for juniors.

Summer School
A three-week summer session generally available for freshmen and sophomores. An additional computer-based program is available for juniors and seniors. Applications are available May 1.

ACT Test Information

The ACT (American College Test) is a national college admissions examination.  The ACT is administered on six national test dates in September, October, December, February, April and June.  Students can sign-up on-line (only) on  ACT website. 

At Armstrong, the ACT is taken by all juniors, at school, typically in early April.  This year the test will be held on March 12, 2025 (makeup is March 26). This test is FREE for our juniors and these students do not need to register for the test.

Senior year is a busy time for students and there are many things to keep track of. Here is information seniors will use for furthering their education.  For graduation info, please go to the Families section of the website.

Resources

• FAFSA - Free Application Federal Student Aid. This should be completed every year when attending post-high school education, including trade schools.
• MN Office of Higher Education - This is a great resource to find all MN State schools, including 2-year, 4-year, and technical colleges
• Xello- Request transcripts and letters of recommendation. Research Scholarship Information both locally and nationally. Set up a username and password.  You will log in through Clever.com using your school sign in.
• Scholarships - Log in to Xello for a current list of available scholarships.

Graduation & general end of year info for seniors

College admissions info session video

The Postsecondary Enrollment Options program, also known as PSEO, was created in 1985 as a means to "promote rigorous educational pursuits and provide a wider variety of options for students." Through PSEO, high school students receive both high school and college/university credit for college or university courses that are completed.

PSEO Information

Link to PSEO page

• College Possible
• Xello
• College Application Organizer

College admission representatives can now go to RepVisits to schedule an appointment with our high school.