College Planning

College Planning

College planning at Central Catholic High School is a personalized, step-by-step process designed to help each student find the right fit for their goals and aspirations. Through one-on-one counseling, college research tools, application support, and financial aid guidance, we partner with students and families to navigate every stage of the journey. From the first college search to the final acceptance letter, CCHS is committed to preparing students for success beyond high school.

Freshman Year

Fall

Meetings with all Freshmen to discuss the PSAT 8/9, providing information on test preparation and the College Board suite of assessments they will take again in both Sophomore and Juniors years.  Freshmen are challenged to work on study habits, focus on their grades and get involved in the CCHS student life. Graduation requirements, PROMISE Scholarship requirements, the high school transcript, National Honor Society and  Governor’s Schools for WV are discussed. Freshmen are encouraged to explore colleges and careers.

Mid-October

All CCHS Freshmen take the PSAT 8/9. This test is administered at CCHS and is the first in the College Board’s “SAT Suite of Assessments”… The purpose of the PSAT 8/9 is to establish a starting point in terms of college and career readiness as students transition to high school.  It tests the same skills and knowledge as the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT— in a way that makes sense for the 9th-grade level.

November

Freshmen receive notification of their test scores directly from College Board once available.  Students may also receive a PDF copy of their score report upon request to the CCHS Counseling Office.

December

Individual meetings with Freshman.

January

Distribution and interpretation of PSAT 8/9 results.  By taking the PSAT 8/9 students learn which skills they need to work on for continued success through high school and college. In addition, the PSAT 8/9 identifies areas where students excel and may want to consider taking higher-level courses, as well as areas they should focus on to improve academically.  Please note that PSAT 8/9 scores are not sent to colleges.

March

Administration of the TerraNova test.

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Sophomore Year

September

Meetings with all Sophomores to discuss and distribute PSAT/NMSQT information.  Sophomores are challenged to continue working on their grades, to get more involved in clubs and activities by taking on leadership roles, and to pursue community service opportunities.  PROMISE Scholarship requirements are discussed. The CCHS Counseling Office provides the students with their cumulative core GPAs beginning in the Sophomore year. Sophomores are reminded and informed of the National Honor Society requirements and the Governor’s Schools for WV opportunities, noting the January deadline for the Governor’s School for the Arts for Sophomores.

October

All CCHS Sophomores take the PSAT/NMSQT.  This test is administered at CCHS as the second in the College Board’s “SAT Suite of Assessments”.    In addition to being a practice test for the SAT, when taken in the Junior year, the PSAT/NMSQT is used to determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

November

Distribution and interpretation of PSAT/NMSQT results. The PSAT/NMSQT identifies areas where students excel and may want to consider taking higher-level courses, as well as areas they should focus on to improve academically.  

Next steps would be for students to go to studentscores.collegeboard.org for SAT practice resources and to learn more about preparing for the SAT.  Most students take the SAT for the first time in their Junior year.

March / April

Administration of the TerraNova Testing.  Individual advising meetings are held with all Sophomores for course selection for the next academic year.  Review of graduation requirements, grades, possible college major/career interests are discussed.  Sophomores are encouraged to consider programs available in the next academic year, such as Judicial Scholars, Girls & Boys State, and the Governor’s Schools for WV Honors Academy.

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Junior Year

Juniors and parents begin receiving the biweekly Junior/Senior Counseling Office Newsletter.  This newsletter provides college planning information for Juniors and Seniors, including but not limited to information on scholarships, college open houses, college fairs, financial aid, etc.

Fall

Meetings with all Juniors to discuss the year’s timeline. Juniors are informed about the College/University Representative Visit Program. Juniors are encouraged to review the schedule of visits often and plan their attendance. All Juniors will attend the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce College Fair, where they will have an opportunity to meet and discuss college planning with over 150 college and university admissions representatives. Students are informed and reminded of the programs available to them in this Junior year:  Governor’s Schools of WV, Girls & Boys State, Judicial Scholars. Students are reminded of the PROMISE Scholarship requirements.

October

Administration of the PSAT/NMSQT to all Juniors.  This test is administered at CCHS and is not only a good indicator of strengths and weaknesses for the SAT, but it is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Mid-October the CCHS Counseling Office hosts the annual Junior College Planning Night. All Juniors and their parents should plan to attend.  The event provides a comprehensive look at the College Planning process through junior and senior years. Students are expected to determine their ACT/SAT testing schedule anytime after the administration of the PSAT/NMSQT.

November

Distribution and interpretation of  PSAT/NMSQT results. Included in the score report are the student’s answers as well as an answer key to the test.  Next steps would be for students to go to studentscores.collegeboard.org for SAT practice resources and to learn more about preparing for the SAT. In addition to being a practice test for the SAT, when taken in the Junior year, the PSAT/NMSQT is used to determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Notification of semi-finalists takes place in September of the following year.

March / April

Individual Advising meetings are held with all Juniors.

May

Advanced Placement Exams are administered.

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Senior Year

Seniors and parents continue receiving the biweekly Junior/Senior Counseling Office Newsletter.  This newsletter provides college planning information for Juniors and Seniors, including but not limited to detailed information on scholarships, college open houses, college fairs, financial aid, CCHS college planning information events, etc.

September

Meetings with all Seniors to discuss the year’s college planning timeline and process. Seniors are reminded of the College/University Representative Visit Program and are encouraged to review the schedule of visits  (kept up to date in the newsletter) and plan their attendance.  Students are reminded of the PROMISE Scholarship requirements, Early decision/Early action admission options are discussed, as well as letters of recommendation, and filing with the NCAA Clearinghouse for those pursuing Division 1 or Division 2 athletics.  ACT and SAT are discussed and students are encouraged to plan for their retakes and to get registered before the deadlines.  

Seniors and their parents are expected to attend the CCHS SENIOR 101 event, where “all things Senior year” are discussed, including important senior year events, yearbook ads, and orders, the college planning timeline, with an opportunity to meet with the Josten’s representative. Students are urged to read the Counseling Office newsletter for scholarship information, noting deadlines and needed documents.  

October

All Seniors will attend the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce College Fair.  Senior parents are invited and encouraged to attend the CCHS FAFSA On The Web Workshop, an event facilitated by the CCHS Counseling Office.  This event provides parents the opportunity to complete and submit their FAFSA’s that evening. All seniors participate in individual meetings with either the Director of Counseling Services or the College Coordinator to review course credits and discuss post-graduation plans.

November / December

Most applications for early decision are due in November. Seniors are encouraged to submit all college applications prior to Christmas break.

January

Mid year reports are sent out to colleges.

February / March

Students are asked to keep a list of all scholarship offers for statistics gathering as well as for Senior Awards Day.  Scholarship application processing and individual senior meetings continue. These months are the busiest in regard to scholarship application deadlines/scholarship processing.

May

Senior Awards Day, Commencement Presentations, final decisions, AP exams and graduation.

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Courses & Course Catalog

The comprehensive course catalog offers a wide range of classes designed to prepare students for college and beyond. With college preparatory, honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and dual-enrollment courses, students can tailor their academic journey to fit their goals.
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Academic Calendar

Stay informed with key dates and important milestones throughout the school year. The academic calendar includes start and end dates, exam schedules, holidays, and special events to help students and families plan ahead.
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Admissions

Ready to take the next step? Explore the admissions process and discover what makes CCHS the right fit.
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Student Life

From clubs and athletics to faith and service, student life at CCHS is full of opportunities to grow and thrive.
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Take the Next Step

Join a community where faith, knowledge, and leadership come together to shape your future. At CCHS, you’ll find a supportive environment that challenges and inspires you to reach your full potential. Start your journey today!
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