Counseling Services

A core team of counselors, teachers, an administrator, school nurse, social worker and school psychologist comprise the Student Assistance Program to provide a systematic process to identify and refer students who may be having problems, i.e., suspicion of drug use, physical abuse, unusual behavior. The team does not treat the problem, but locates appropriate referral sources and provides follow-up or support groups for the individual.

To learn more about the Student Assistance Program and Plan for students, which includes a listing of visible signs of substance abuse, click on the link.

Conducted once a year, Financial Aid Workshops are hosted by the guidance office to provide information for parents about college/university application for financial aide. Experts in the field are invited to the meeting to address parent questions and concerns and offer tips for best results as parents prepare to manage the expenses of post-secondary education.

College Financial Aid Planning Tips for Parents Applying/Renewing the FAFSA

• Common App Step-by-Step Guide that walks students step-by-step through each question of the Common Application, including why it’s asked and how to best answer. Here is the link https://www.standoutcollegeprep.com/common-app-guide/
• FAFSA Step-by-Step Guide that walks students and families through each question of the FAFSA, including screenshots and explanations and a FAQ page for students with special circumstances. Here is the link https://www.standoutcollegeprep.com/fafsa-questions/
• Pennsylvania Scholarship Directory, a list of 100+ vetted scholarships for students across the state, broken down by month. Here is the link https://www.standoutcollegeprep.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-2022-College-Scholarships-for-Pennslyvania-Students.pdf

Visiting Representatives

• Visits by admissions representatives from college and other training schools are made to Carlynton High School during the course of the school year. Information concerning these visitations is posted in the Guidance Office and announced regularly. Juniors and seniors who would like to consult with the visiting representatives should sign up in the Guidance Office prior to the day of the visit.

Parents and students can download the following paperwork to make the college admission and application process run more smoothly with assistance from the high school guidance office (forms will download as PDF files):

ACTIVITY LOG RECOMMENDATION REQUEST FORM TRANSCRIPT APPLICATION FORM TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM COLLEGE VISIT NOTIFICATION FORM 

• Visit the guidance office for a full list of SCHOLARSHIPS.

• For information about colleges in Pennsylvania, cost and scholarships, click here.

• College Resources and Affordability offers great information for all students and parents.

• Check out these resources for scholarship opportunities: 

• • Unigo.com/scholarshipsfastweb.com
  • cappex.com
  • zinch.com
  • studentsscholarships.com

• Visit Scholarships.com > Free College Scholarship Search - By creating a personal profile, this site will pull up scholarships that are custom fit to you.

• For a variety of nationwide scholarship opportunities, try School Soup

Virtually all colleges and universities throughout the U.S. will accept either ACT or SAT scores. One advantage of the ACT is that you don't have to report your scores to colleges unless you choose to do so.

The ACT includes four testing areas: English, reading, math and science. Students also receive career-planning information based on an interest inventory they complete when they register for the test.

 ACT EXAM OFFERINGS - Click for dates, times and location

AP US Government & Politics -

AP English Literature & Composition - 

AP US History -

AP Calculus - 

AP English/Language Composition -

AP Biology - 

ABOUT THE KEYSTONE EXAMS

The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to evaluate proficiency in academic content in Algebra I, Biology and Literature. All students will take the particular Keystone Exam in the grade they took the course. For example, if a student takes Algebra I in ninth grade, that is the year the will take the Algebra Keystone Exam. Beginning with the Class of 2023, students must demonstrate proficiency on the Algebra, Biology and Literature Keystone exams in order to fulfill the Keystone Proficiency Pathway graduation requirement. This is achieved by scoring Proficient or Advanced on the overall score of the individual exams.

Earning a satisfactory composite score (4452) on the Algebra, Biology and Literature exams (while achieving a score of proficiency on one of the three exams AND no less than a score of Basic on the remaining two exams) will satisfy the Keystone Composite Pathway. Students who do not demonstrate proficiency on a specific Keystone Exam pathway will be encouraged to complete supplemental instruction and retake the exam in order to qualify for graduation under Pathway 1 or 2.  Supplemental instruction will be consistent with the student's educational program. Students and parents will be informed of which exams they will be taking at the start of each school year.

Students can meet the statewide graduation requirements by:

• Scoring proficient or advanced on each of the three Keystone Exams.
• Earning a satisfactory combined score on the three Keystone Exams. The passing composite score is 4,452. A “proficient” score on any Keystone exam is 1,500. A student must score proficient on at least one of the three Keystone exams and no less than “basic” on the other two. 
• Earning a locally established minimum grade in a Carlynton JSHS course associated with each Keystone Exam and satisfactorily completing one of the following: a) a minimum cut score on an alternative assessment (PSAT, SAT, ACT), b) advanced coursework (AP level or dual enrollment courses), (c) pre-apprenticeship, or (d) acceptance in a four-year nonprofit institution of higher education for college-level coursework.
• Earning a locally established minimum grade in a Carlynton JSHS course that is associated with each Keystone Exam and pass the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) or the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) assessment in an approved Career and Technical Education concentration.
• Earning a locally established minimum grade in a Carlynton JSHS course that is associated with each Keystone Exam and demonstrating readiness for postsecondary engagement through three pieces of evidence from the student’s career portfolio aligned to the student goals and career plan.

One piece of evidence must be from Tier 1:

• Attainment of an established score on the ACT WorkKeys® Assessment (may be below the Gold Level)
• Attainment of an established score on an SAT subject-specific test
• Acceptance to an accredited nonprofit institution of higher education other than an accredited four-year nonprofit institution and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level, credit-bearing coursework
• Attainment of an industry-recognized credential
• Attainment of an established score on an AP or IB exam
• Successful completion of a concurrent enrollment course or any postsecondary course

Two pieces of evidence may be from Tier 2:

• Any additional item from Tier 1
• Satisfactory completion of service learning project pre-approved for use by a chief school administrator
• Attainment of a proficient or advanced score on a Keystone Exam
• A letter guaranteeing full-time employment
• A certificate of successful completion of an internship, externship or cooperative education program
• Satisfactory compliance with the NCAA core courses for college-bound athletes with a minimum 2.0 GPA or equivalence

Virtually all colleges and universities throughout the U.S. will accept either ACT or SAT scores. The PSAT and SAT are essential when planning to attend college. Registering for the PSAT and SAT has never been easier.
Register early for this year’s college entrance exams at CollegeBoard.com

The Carlynton High School Code is:  390570

 SAT EXAM OFFERINGS - Click for dates, times and location

PSSA Exam Administration Dates are as follows:

• English/Language Arts:
• Mathematics:
• Science: 

Each year, students in grades 3-8 are required by the PA Department of Education to take PSSA Exams in English/Language Arts and Mathematics. Additionally, students in grades 4 and 8 also participate in PSSA Science Exams.

The College Board - Everything You Need - www.collegeboard.org

Parent Request for Exclusion - In Accordance with Pennsylvania Code, Title 22, Chapter 4, Section 4.4, the Carlynton School District shall grant requests by parents or guardians to review the state assessments two (2) weeks prior to the administration of the tests and during regular district office hours. The assessment must be reviewed in the district administrative offices and an administrator must be present at all times. Prior to the review of the assessment, the parent or guardian must sign a Parent/Guardian Confidentiality Agreement to ensure that the confidentiality and security of the exams are maintained.

After the review of the exams, parents may request that their children be exempt from having to take the test based upon their religious beliefs. The Carlynton School District shall grant the parents/guardians the right to have their students excused from the state assessments.  This exemption may be granted if, upon inspection of the test materials, the assessment is determined to be in conflict with one’s religious beliefs. A conflict with one’s religious belief is the only basis for a parent or guardian to excuse his or her child from the statewide assessments. The parent/guardian must provide a written request that states the objection to the superintendent within twenty-four (24) hours of such review. The superintendent will review all requests for consideration for exemption. In the event that the exemption is granted and the student does not participate in the Keystone Exams, the student will be required to review their Graduation Pathway with their School Counselor as the Pathway 1 and Pathway 2 of the Commonwealth’s Graduation Requirements will no longer be an option. If you would like to schedule an appointment to review the exam materials for the purpose of this exemption, please call 412-429-2500 ext. 1130. 

Act 158 was signed into law on October 24, 2018, moving Pennsylvania’s reliance on high stakes testing as a graduation requirement. Act 158 of 2018, in conjunction with Act 6 of 2017, expands the options for students to demonstrate postsecondary readiness. Formerly, Pennsylvania’s statewide graduation requirements were more restrictive, requiring most students to pass the Keystone Exams or end of course exams in Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.

The new statewide graduation requirements were set to take effect starting with the graduating Class of 2022. However, on November 25, 2020, the Governor signed Senate Bill 1216, making it Act 136 of 2020. Act 136 shifted the new statewide graduation requirements to take effect starting with the Class of 2023. It did not modify the actual requirements. Act 158 of 2018 establishes five pathways for students to demonstrate college, career, and community readiness. The high school guidance team is available to support students in determining the pathways to graduation that are appropriate and achievable for each individual student.

Pathway 1: Keystone Proficiency Pathway: Scoring proficient or advanced on each of the Keystone Exams - Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.

Pathway 2: Keystone Composite Pathway: Earning a satisfactory composite score (4452) on the Algebra I, Literature, and Biology (while achieving at least a score of proficient on at least one of the three exams AND no less than a score of basic on the remaining two exams).

Pathway 3: Alternative Assessment Pathway: Earning a passing grade in the courses associated with each of the Keystone Exams on which a score of proficiency was not achieved AND satisfactorily completing one of the following:

Attainment of an established score on one of the following approved alternative assessment:

• SAT (Score of 1010)
• PSAT (Score of 970)
• ACT (Score of 21)
• ASVAB (the minimum score needed to gain admittance to a branch of the armed services in the year the student graduates)
• Attainment of Gold Level on the ACT WorkKeys Assessment;
• Advanced Placement Test (Attainment of a 3 or higher on an in the content area associated with each Keystone Exam in which a score of proficiency was not achieved.
• Dual Enrollment Courses (Successful completion of a dual enrollment course in the content area associated with each Keystone Exam in which a score of proficiency was not achieved.
• Successful completion of a pre-apprenticeship program;
• Acceptance in an accredited 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework. (i.e. letter of acceptance, placement test results, college registration form, etc.)

Pathway 4: Evidence Based Pathway: Earning a passing grade in the courses associated with each of the Keystone Exams on which a score of proficiency was not achieved AND demonstrating three pieces of evidence consistent with goals and career plans.

Including one of the following pieces of evidence:

• Attainment of Silver Level on the ACT WorkKeys Assessment
• Attainment of a 630 on an SAT Subject Test;
• Attainment of a 3 on an Advanced Placement test;
• Acceptance to an accredited nonprofit institution of higher education other than a 4-year institution and evidence of the ability to enroll in college level coursework; (i.e. letter of acceptance, placement test results, college registration form, etc.)
• Attainment of an industry-recognized credential;
• Successful completion of a concurrent enrollment or postsecondary course.

 Including two of the following pieces of evidence:

• Satisfactory completion of a service learning project. Project proposals must be presented in writing to a guidance counselor for pre-approval by the principal/assistant principal. The proposal should include goals, activities, and contributions to the community. Projects must be supervised by an adult and completion must be verified in writing. (i.e. National Honors Society, Junior Rotarians, Boy Scouts, etc.);
• Attainment of proficiency or advanced on a Keystone Exam;
• A letter from an employer guaranteeing full-time employment;
• A certificate of successful completion of an internship or cooperative education program;
• Satisfactory compliance with the NCAA’s core course for college-bound student athletes with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.

Pathway 5: Career and Technical Education Pathway: Earning a passing grade in the courses associated with each of the Keystone Exams on which a score of proficiency was not achieved AND one of the following:

Attaining of an industry-based competency certification related to the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrator’s program of study.

Demonstrating a high likelihood of success on an approved industry-based competency assessment. (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) or the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS).

The Carlynton Junior-Senior High School Student Handbook offers a wealth of information for both parents and students.

The handbook provides guidelines for graduation requirements, school day procedures, student responsibilities, the code of conduct and a listing of student activities.

Click here to view the entire 2023-2024 Student Handbook

Students can take charge of their learning process by following the guidelines in the handbook. Making a conscientious effort in the classroom, completing outside studies and assignments and conforming to school rules and regulations make for a responsible and wholesome student.

Resources for Juniors can be found below. 

Timeline for Juniors Helpful Guidelines for Juniors 

Resources for Seniors can be found below. 

Timeline for Seniors 

Check out the Senior Packet to help plan and prepare for your last year of high school. This packet is necessary for post-secondary planning and provides an important connection to the guidance office, where staff is readily available to offer assistance. The Senior Packet provides a format for recommendation letters, scholarship information, an activity log and more.

Senior Packet
 

U.S. federal law requires all males to register with U.S. SSS within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Many young men fail to register because they are unaware of the requirement and are then at risk of not receiving important benefits from state and federal governments.  Not only is registration important for access to federal benefits, it is also essential to our nation's security in the event of a national crisis. Please note: registration with U.S. SSS does not lead to enlisting in the armed forces.

Registration is quick and easy to complete with the following available options:
1. Online registration: https://www.sss.gov/register
2. Downloadable mail-in form: https://www.sss.gov/forms/
3. In-person at any U.S. Post Office

When Carlynton seniors submit college applications to the counseling office, the counselor attaches the student’s transcript and completes other necessary information. When the application is mailed to a college, university or vocational school, a profile of the school is included with the application packet. The profile, designed in a brochure format, includes some of the following information:

• A brief biographical sketch of the Carlynton community

• The student population and number of faculty members

• The calendar days of the school year and the length of class periods

• The grading policy, including the process of weighting grades

• Advanced Placement courses

• Class rank and how it is calculated

• Graduation requirements

• Latest statistics revealing graduating class sizes and mean SAT scores:

Good Read: 14 Things I Wish I Knew Before College

Please click the link below to download the Transcript application. Return the completed and signed form to the Guidance Office. 

Transcript Request for Current Students

Please click the link below to download the Transcript application. Return the completed and signed form to:

Carlynton School District
Attn: Guidance Office 
435 Kings Highway 
Carnegie, PA 15106

Transcript Request for Former Students

WORK PERMIT - Students who hope to get a job this summer can complete an Application for a Work Permit.

Please note, after filling out the necessary information for the permit, please print it and have it SIGNED by a parent/guardian, then scan the entire form, along with the student's birth certificate or passport and email to Mrs. Gallagher at kari.gallagher@carlynton.k12.pa.us. Mrs. Gallagher will then issue the permit and place it in the mail to the student's home.

APPLICATION FOR A WORK PERMIT