School Counseling Department
Welcome to the Tartan High School Guidance & Counseling Department!Our purpose is to empower all learners to lead satisfying and productive lives by assisting them in identifying and achieving educational, career, social and emotional goals. We provide a personalized and proactive approach, which includes small group and grade-level seminars, as well as individual meetings between you and your school counselor.
Students can make appointments to see their counselor for a number of reasons, including:
- Personal/Social Concerns
- College or Career Planning
- Academics
The counselors are able to help students, staff, and the community with any questions or problems.
Counseling Staff
Counselors by Grade
9th Grade
Emily Nelson
School Counselor
10th Grade
Tori Walsh
School Counselor
11th Grade
Josiah Bellows
School Counselor
12th Grade
Amy Knutson
School Counselor
Registrar
Jessica Mercado
Registrar
Schedule Correction Request
Correction Request Information
To request a schedule correction for the 2023-2024 school year, fill out the schedule change request form!
NOTE: No corrections will be considered after the first week of each trimester.
Course offerings and teacher staffing for Tartan High School are determined by initial student registration. Solid rationale is required in order to make a schedule change. After the first week of each trimester, a student's schedule is considered a final agreement between the student and the school.
11th and 12th graders: Schedule corrections will be considered for the following reasons:
- Requesting to do Office Runner/TA (on track 11th & 12th graders only - TA Form also required. Pick up & turn in at either office)
- Requesting Early Release/Late Arrival (on track 11th & 12th graders only - Early Release/Late Arrival Form required. Pick up & turn in at either office)
- Requesting to have a Study Hall (on track 11th & 12th graders only)
Course Registration
Registration Information
All information and documents can be found on the 24-25 Course Registration page.
It is very important that students register for 18 courses and 5 alternates. The guide below will help select the recommended core courses:
2024-2025 Registration Quick Guide
For current 8th graders who live out of district, go to Enrollment Center.
Graduation Requirements
These requirements are set by the State of Minnesota and the local Board of Education.
Certain subjects are required of all students in grades 9-12. To graduate, students must enroll in and successfully complete the courses listed in their graduating year's Credit Check form.
Students need a minimum of 66 credits to graduate.
Academic Opportunities & Resources
AVID
The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program targets students in the academic middle who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. AVID places academically average students in advanced classes and provides them with an elective class that prepares them to succeed in rigorous curricula, enter mainstream activities in school, and increase their opportunities to enroll in four-year colleges.
AVID's mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. Developed in 1980 by Mary Catherine Swanson, a San Diego Teacher, AVID_2ID has seen steady growth in the last 30 years.
- More than 3,386 schools in 48 states and 15 foreign countries offer the AVID program.
- More than 220,000 students have graduated from AVID programs.
- 77% of AVID students were accepted to a four-year college in 2008.
The purpose of AVID is to prepare students for college eligibility and success. As AVID expands to a school-wide and district-wide program, it impacts educators by increasing best practices for engaging all students and increasing college readiness across the school and district. Our district supports the AVID program in local middle and high schools by:
- Supporting AVID in existing schools.
- Expanding AVID to more schools and students.
- Providing essential support to the expansion of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses.
- Providing adequate professional development support
- Maintaining the high quality of program and student outcomes.
Student Goals:
- Academic success in college preparatory courses.
- Successful completion of college eligibility requirements.
- Enrollment in at least one honors or AP course.
- Enrollment in four-year college or university after high school graduation.
Student Responsibilities:
- Maintain satisfactory citizenship and attendance in all classes, understanding my reputation as an AVID and college-bound student is at stake and expectation set forth for me are high.
- Maintain the AVID binder with assignment/grade record sheets and daily notes in all classes.
- Complete all homework assignments and commit to at least two hours of homework every night.
- Maintain enrollment in college preparatory courses.
- Take the AP test if enrolled in an AP class.
- Take the PSAT sophomore and junior years, the SAT/ACT at least once junior year.
- Apply to at least five colleges your junior/senior year.
- Participate in at least one extra-curricular activity within or outside of school.
- Commit to community service hours.
- Be a steward of my classroom, AVID program and Tartan High School.
Click here for the AVID Application
Please contact Tartan's AVID coordinator, Kristen Fuerst at kfuerst@isd622.org or 651.702.8769 with any questions.
Credit Recovery
ISD provides after-school credit recovery classes at North and Tartan high schools.
Credit recovery programs extend the traditional school day and classroom experience by providing academic support to students. Students in these programs can recover credits for courses they have previously failed.
For questions/concerns, talk to your school counselor.
Grade Level Schoology Pages
Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
What is PSEO?
PSEO is a program that allows 10th, 11th and 12th grade students to earn college credit while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college-level courses. With traditional PSEO, these courses are generally offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online. Postsecondary institutions are not allowed to charge PSEO students for tuition, textbooks or support services. Students may be charged for equipment that becomes their property when the course or program is completed. Most PSEO courses are only open to high school students during their 11th- and 12th-grade year, with each participating college and university setting their own requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses and programs. Students may take PSEO courses on a full or part-time basis. Students must meet the PSEO eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits.
Interested and eligible 11th and 12th grade students should contact the postsecondary institution to find out their eligibility requirements, which courses are offered and what the application process is at that institution. Interested and eligible public 10th-grade students should contact the postsecondary institution to find out which Career and Technical (CTE) courses are offered and what the application process is at that institution.
Students are required to meet with their high school counselor to discuss their intent to enroll in PSEO courses no later than May 30th of the previous year. Tartan High School provides this updated information here to all students in grades 8-11 and their families by March 1, every year. Students should seek guidance from their high school counselor to determine if PSEO is the right fit for them and their academic plan. PSEO grades at Tartan High School are unweighted. Counselors availability is very limited over the summer to discuss course enrollment for PSEO.
Funds are available to help pay transportation expenses for students whose families are at or below the poverty level, as determined by the federal government, to participate in PSEO courses on college campuses. You can find more information here.
For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education's Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) page at https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/dual/pseo/
PSEO Information Night video
PSEO Information Night Slides
PSEO Forms
Testing
- ACT
- Accuplacer/ASVAB Tests
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- Minnesota Bilingual Seals Program
- PSAT/NMSQT (PreSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
ACT
ACT
ACT and SAT - The ACT and the SAT Reasoning Test are college admission tests. One of the most common questions we hear is "Which test should I take?" Our answer, in general, is that colleges accept either score. A student who took the PSAT has also had exposure to a practice SAT test. Since the ACT and SAT tests are different, sometimes a student will find that s/he has a preference. However, there is no need to take both tests.
The ACT is subdivided into subject tests with an optional writing test. To find out which colleges and universities are requiring the writing exam for admission, go to http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act.html.
Some colleges may require, in addition to other test scores, that the student take the SAT Subject tests.
For more information or to register for one of these tests, go to act.org (ACT) or collegeboard.org (SAT).
The next question is, "When should I take it?" The optimal time to take the test is the latter part of your junior year. Therefore, April and June are the most popular test dates and it pays to register early in order to get your first choice of location.
If a student has an IEP or 504 Plan which may allow for extended time or other accommodations, see your counselor early in the school year. There is a separate application for Special Testing, which requires more documentation and time to complete.
ACT Plus Writing for all Minnesota 11th Graders
All Juniors will take the ACT Plus Writing during regular school hours tentatively scheduled for APRIL 9, 2024. District 622 has chosen to offer students the ACT Plus Writing in order to provide students with the most flexibility in selecting post-secondary institutions. All Juniors are eligible to take the test, even if they have already taken an ACT before. There is no cost to students for this testing date.
Accuplacer/ASVAB Tests
CCUPLACER Test
No Current Test Dates
Find a Testing Location
ACCUPLACER tests help identify your knowledge, strength, and needs in math, reading, and writing. Along with information about your academic background, goals, and interests, your ACCUPLACER results help you choose courses that match your skill level and give you the best opportunities for success.
More information and practice tests
ASVAB Test
Find a Testing Location
The ASVAB is a timed multi-aptitude test, which is given at over 14,000 schools and Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) nationwide and is developed and maintained by the Department of Defense.
Your scores in four critical areas -- Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension and Mathematics Knowledge (see below) -- count towards your Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT) score. The AFQT score determines whether you're qualified to enlist in the U.S. military.
Your scores in the other areas of the ASVAB will determine how qualified you are for certain military occupational specialties and Enlistment Bonuses. A high score will improve your chances of getting the specialty/job and signing bonus you want.
No obligation to the military is associated with taking the ASVAB. There are no fees to take the test.
Test Prep Sites
Advanced Placement (AP)
Students enrolled in an AP course can take an end-of-the-year exam in May to qualify for college credit. Students must register and pay for their exams by November 7, 2023. Payment will be made at https://northstpaul2060.cf.affinetysolutions.com/ - click the Green School icon then create a new account or login to your existing account. You will need your student ID number to register your student. Student ID numbers are located in the student Campus system.
AP Exams will be $50/exam or $10/exam on free/reduced status. Additional fees will be applied for canceled/missed exams. Students who don’t show up for their exam(s) will incur a $40 fee from College Board (regardless of free/reduced status). The application for Free/Reduced must be filled out annually and will be checked for eligibility. You can access the application here.
Minnesota Bilingual Seals Program
Bilingual Seals Program for Schools
Minnesota World Language Proficiency Certificate, legislated in 2009, is an award given to students in any grade level who demonstrate ACTFL’s Intermediate Low level in all of the four modalities - listening, reading, speaking and writing in languages other than in English. *Note: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities award college credit when the test was taken in Grades 10, 11, or 12.
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, a statewide system of 30 colleges and seven universities with 54 campuses across the state, compiled a report that provides findings and recommendations for the granting of college credit for the bilingual and multilingual seals and world language proficiency certificates.
Award levels and the number of college credit
The actual number of college credits may vary depending on an institution. Each institution has a different number of credits per a semester course.
In order to qualify for a bilingual seal, a student must also demonstrate proficiency in English by having met the required English Language Arts credit for high school graduation. The World Language Proficiency Certificate does not have English Language Arts credit requirements.
How to access college credits
- Students must be enrolled in a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institution.
- Students must make a request for college credit. Students should work with the admission office or advisor. In some cases, scholarship may be impacted by receiving extra credit. Therefore; students should consult with appropriate personnel or offices at the institution.
- Students have taken a test when in Grades 10, 11, or 12.
- Students may be required to submit an official high school transcript.
- There is a three year window to make a request after a high school graduation.
SEALS testing will begin in Spring 2024.
PSAT/NMSQT (PreSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
Taking the PSAT to enter the National Merit Scholarship program (NMSQT) as a junior is necessary. The PSAT also gives you practice for college admissions tests such as the SAT and the ACT. The PSAT will give you a strong indication of how you might do on the SAT but is NOT a college admissions test and is NOT required in order to attend a four-year college.
All colleges requiring an entrance exam as part of their admission decision will accept the ACT OR the SAT.
Students may use a calculator on the math section of the test. Therefore, while it is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that all students bring a calculator on test day (students may not share calculators during the examination).
Practice tests can be found at here.
What is the NMSQT? It stands for the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It refers to the PSAT that students take in their sophomore or junior year to enter the National Merit Scholarship competition, along with tens of thousands of other students (around 1.6 million annually).
TO REGISTER:
Go to https://northstpaul2060.cf.affinetysolutions.com/
Our new online payment system is available for families to make PSAT exam payments. Please visit the website: https://northstpaul2060.cf.affinetysolutions.com/ and click the Green School icon then create a new account or login to your existing account. You will need your student ID number to register your student. Student ID numbers are located in the student Campus system. Once logged in Click “Tartan High School” - Tartan Testing and click on “PSAT Tartan”.
-Once payment is made on the Affinety site you will receive an email with confirmation that you are signed up for the test.
College/Post Secondary Planning
College/Post Secondary Education is any education after high school.
What are you going to do once you graduate from high school?
Join the military? Get a job? Gap year? Voc/Tech Training? Two Year College? Four Year College? You are in the right place.
Transcripts
Transcripts
Transcripts requested online are sent securely to the colleges, universities, or scholarship funds that you select. You may track your request online.
It is your responsibility to request/order your Final Transcript on Parchment. We cannot do this for you! All colleges and universities will require proof of graduation, and your transcript WITH a diploma date is the only way that this can be indicated.
Those students that need to finish their required credits in summer school should not request a Final Transcript until all credits have been completed and your transcript has been updated. If you do not finish earning your required credits before August 31, your diploma will no longer reflect a June graduation date. After August 31, your diploma will reflect the actual date that you completed your required credits.
Please note: As of August 1, you will be considered an Alumni. As an Alumni, the cost of your transcript increases from $5.00 to $10.00.
Create a Parchment Account Log Into Parchment Parchment Support
Current Students
The first two requests are free.
Starting on the third request you will be charged $5.00 per transcript.
Seniors
Update your Parchment account with a personal email address.
If you are making a final transcript request, select hold for grades (default is send now) in Parchment.
If you are a senior and have not set up your Parchment account, check your school email for a registration code (email from Parchment).
Graduates / Alumni
Graduates should use Parchment to request transcripts. You will be charged $10.00 per transcript.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation
Colleges often ask for two or three recommendation letters from people who know you well. These letters should be written by someone who can describe your skills, accomplishments, and personality.
Colleges value recommendations because they:
- Reveal things about you that grades and test scores can’t
- Provide personal opinions of your character
- Show who is willing to speak on your behalf
Form
Letters of recommendation work for you when they present you in the best possible light, showcasing your skills and abilities. Think about who would be able to write the best letter for you: teachers, employers, coaches, mentors, counselors.
College Applications
College Virtual Tours
College Virtual Tours
- Virtual College Exploration and Application for all Minnesota Students (other colleges also!)
- U of MN - Rochester - new NXT GEN MED program - See this video!
- Minnesota Private Colleges Online Tours
- Alexandria Technical & Community College/ATCC - Find Your Future
- Bemidji State University - Bemidji, MN virtual visit opportunities - campus visits are welcome now
- College of St. Scholastica - Duluth, MN
- Michigan Tech - Houghton, MI Various virtual opportunities (click Here)
- Minnesota State University Mankato
- University of Wisconsin - River Falls
- University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
- Montana State University - Bozeman, MT
- Saint Mary's University of Minnesota - Winona, MN
- University of Arizona - Tucson, AZ
- Northern Michigan University - Marquette, MI and YouTube Video
- Rainy River Community College - International Falls, MM
- Winona State University - Winona, MN Admissions Webpage (click Here)
- North Dakota State University - Fargo, ND - Admission webpage and self-guided tour
- St. Cloud State University - St. Cloud, MN. : Request a one-on-one Zoom meeting with an admission counselor
- University of Missouri "Mizzou" - Columbia, MO
University of Minnesota
Student-led video tours:
The University of Minnesota offers Virtual Freshman Visits for each undergraduate college. Register for a session.
Minnesota State University - Mankato
Virtual Information Sessions: We are currently offering two live virtual information sessions each week: Mondays at 3:30 PM and Fridays at 12:00 PM.
More information and registration for these events can be found on the Minnesota State University - Mankato website.
Information Regarding Virtual Tours and Visits
Come ready to learn and bring a question or two you wish to have answered.
Military Options
Interested in Joining the Military? See below for branch information, recruiter contacts and more!
Branches
Army
Air Force
Navy
Marine Corps
- Marine Corps Website and Reserves
- Naval ROTC - Marine Corps Option
- United States Naval Academy - Marine Corps Option
Coast Guard
Recruiters - Reach out with your questions!
- Army Contacts, 651-777-2848
- Staff Sergeant Jonathan Gilbert, 651-743-2148, jonathan.r.gilbert2.mil@mail.mil
- Staff Sergeant Nicholas J. Carrasco, 612-403-4887, nicholas.j.carrasco.mil.mail.mil
- Marines
- Sergeant Matthew McLaughlin, 612-269-7890, matthew.mclaughlin@marines.usmc.mil
- Navy
- Operations Specialist 2nd Class Lisa Xiong, 651-341-1807, lisa.b.xiong@navy.mil
- 651-777-8372
- Air Force
- Technical Sergeant Benjamin L. Hardy, 651-770-5270, benjamin.hardy.4@us.af.mil
- Technical Sergeant Partrick R. Rodriguez, 651-303-6128, patrick.rodriguez.5@us.af.mil
Other Links
Financial Aid/Scholarships
Use this Guide only as a general planning tool. Make sure you look up the specific admissions requirements of the schools in which you are interested since they vary. To play it safe, take more courses than the graduation requirements in the core areas of English, social studies, math, and science. (Although world language is not required to graduate, many colleges require at least 2 years.)
Note: Some 4-year schools on the East and West Coasts prefer the SAT over the ACT College Entrance Exam - research your schools of interest!
- Helpful Websites
- Financial Aid
- College & University Scholarship Pages
- Scholarships -National/ Local/Community, Minnesota
Helpful Websites
Peterson's website has great planning information for all aspects of college.
Minnesota has reciprocity with Wisconsin and North and South Dakota. This means that students can attend public institutions in these locations and pay tuition that would be comparable to a similar Minnesota public institution.
Students must complete a reciprocity agreement with the appropriate state/province to qualify. Applications are obtained from the website above.
The Next Step U is an excellent resource for all college planning. Take a look at their website for more information.
This is the National Collegiate Athletic Association's homepage. If you are considering attending a Division I or II school and participating in extracurricular activities, you must register with the NCAA by the end of your junior year in high school. This website will provide you with the requirements and procedures for registration.
Financial Aid
FAFSA on the Web
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the federally approved application for financial aid. It generates information for colleges to determine a student's eligibility for grants, work-study, loans, and some forms of need-based scholarships. This application is free and can be completed online.
Financial Aid for Minnesota Students
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the federally approved application for financial aid. It generates information for colleges to determine a student's eligibility for grants, work-study, loans, and some forms of need-based scholarships. This application is free and can be completed online.
Financial Aid Information
This site has an Estimated Family Contribution Estimator, a college cost projector, an educational Savings Plan Designer, scholarship information, and much more.
Military Aid
This website provides information about financial aid available throughout the military.
Financial Aid for Native American Students
College & University Scholarship Pages
- CollegeNET
- Fastweb
- Scholarships.com
- Scholarships for College
- Cappex Scholarship Search
- Scholarship America
- Guaranteed Scholarships lists scholarships awarded by specific schools to students who qualify. These scholarships require no essays, interviews, or competition.
Scholarships -National/ Local/Community, Minnesota
Social Workers
Transcript Requests
Request an Unofficial Transcript
Request an Official Transcript
Parchment.com is used to fulfill transcript requests for College/University applications, and for work, verifications requesting an "Official" Tartan High School transcript. If you need a transcript for insurance(good student discount) or scholarship purposes, please contact the office. You can request 2 transcripts to be sent to a college/university at NO COST.
*Every transcript requested after that will cost $5 each.
How to Request an Official Transcript: Parchment Video Tutorial
Order records for learners, parents, and third parties
- Login to Parchment.
- Select "Existing Use Account" or "New Learner Account"
- Complete the FERPA release
- Click "Transcript"
- Select or type in a destination (college name, NCAA, common application, etc.)
- Select when you would like the transcript sent. Send Now or Hold for Grades. (Only Hold for Grades for mid-year or final transcript)
- Provide consent. If you are 18+ sign YOU complete this step. If you are younger than 18, a parent/guardian completes this step.
- See this for more information.
Instructions for New Learner Accounts
Verify your personal email address and enter the confirmation code. Check your enrollment status. Check the box if the name on your transcript is different than your name today. Enter your date of birth. Select the years you attended Tartan High School.
Ordering Transcripts for the Common Application
The Common App counts as ONE transcript and will be sent to ALL of the schools listed in your profile. No need to send them one at a time directly to the individual colleges.
- Create an account on the Common Application website and remember your Common App ID.
- Follow the instructions to invite your school counselor to be a Recommender. This will send an email to your School Counselor.
- Email your School Counselor.
- Your School Counselor accepts your invitation to be a Recommender.
- Once steps 1-4 are completed, sign into Parchment.
- Click "Order" under the name of your school.
- Type "Common App" into the search box and click "Select."
- Enter your Common App ID and then continue the ordering process.
Other Information
- You will need to request an "Update" after each trimester. Open your transcript in Parchment, at the bottom is a button that says "Update", this will send a request for a "FREE Self view-No Fee." It does NOT update automatically, it will be released through the School Counseling Office to Parchment within 24-48 hours (typically sooner). See this link for more information.
- Please add your personal email to your Parchment account. Click on this link for instructions.
- If you don't remember your password information, please use the Parchment "Password Reset" feature. If you need login assistance or something else, you can also reach them at support.parchment.com, then "Contact Us" to create a help ticket.
- Most orders are fulfilled within 24-48 hours, or sooner.
- Students must contact their PSEO institutions directly to order official PSEO transcripts once they decide where they are going to college.
Alumni
Please make your transcript requests using the Parchment website. You must create an account to place your request. Your cost is $10.00 per request.
*Note: Transcripts are released daily unless it's a weekend or holiday. You can track the progress of your transcript through Parchment.