Academic Advising

Academic Team

The Academic Advising team works with students and their families on all aspects of paving the way for success in college.

Mr. Chrockrem, Academic Advisor for Grades 9-10 (pictured left)
Ms. Hughes, Academic Advisor for Grades 11-12 and College Counselor (pictured right)
Ms. Cirino, Academic Advising Coordinator (pictured middle)

Quick Links

Academic Advising Notes for the Class of 2025 (check back soon)
Academic Advising Notes for the Class of 2026
Academic Advising Notes for the Class of 2027 (check back soon)
Academic Advising Notes for the Class of 2028 (check back soon)
Planned Absence Form
College Visit Form

Course Selection and Enrollment Support

Throughout January and February, Academic Advisors hold class meetings during school, host after-school meetings with families, and conduct one-on-one lunch-time meetings to help students choose courses that meet IB, AP Capstone, and Indiana Academic Honors Diploma requirements, detailed in the yearly updated Program of Studies.

Course Registration Forms, available in January

Incoming 9th Graders
Incoming 10th Graders
Incoming 11th Graders
Incoming 12th Graders

Drop/Add Form, available during the first 10 days of each semester.

College Application Support

The Academic Advising Team hosts separate College Information Nights for families of juniors and seniors. Starting with the junior year, students meet with the College Counselor each month for group instruction on all matters related to the college search and application process. Juniors sign up for Individual meetings throughout the spring to make a college application plan and to ensure that the College Counselor has all the information needed to write the strongest possible counselor letter of recommendation, required by many colleges.

See the Quick Links above to access the Academic Advising Notes for each class, published twice a month, to support students in their college search and selection.

The school administers the digital Preliminary SAT to all 10th and 11th graders during October. Academic Advisors review PSAT results with students when scores are released in December. Qualifying scores from either PSAT may result in College Board National Recognition Program invitations for African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Indigenous/Native American, or First-Generation students. In September, seniors with qualifying scores from the 11th grade PSAT will be recognized as Commended National Merit Scholars or Semifinalist Scholars. Semifinalists may advance to be named National Merit Finalists in February. In addition to the merit aid packages that some colleges provide, Finalists may also be considered for National Merit Scholarship Corporation awards. Special Scholarships are another type of financial award based on the 11th grade PSAT. These corporate-sponsored scholarships are available to non-Finalists.

Each March, the school administers the School Day Scholastic Assessment Test to 11th graders. The School Day SAT is state-funded, and the school manages all registration procedures. Because of the importance of the SAT in college admissions and scholarship selection and because Indiana law requires that the SAT scores appear on transcripts, students are encouraged to consider self-registering for the SAT either before or after the School Day SAT. Click here for information about registering for the SAT outside the School Day SAT. Click here for information about sending official SAT scores to your chosen college. Consult the Academic Advising Notes (can there be a target link to the spot?) for SAT practice opportunities or for information about obtaining a fee waiver for SAT registration outside the School Day SAT.

Students wishing to explore the American College Testing exam must self-register. Some key differences between the ACT and the SAT are noted here. Students are encouraged to take the SAT at least once, but not more than thrice, starting in the fall of junior year. Here is registration information. Signature School will provide ACT score information on the student transcript if the ACT score is better than the required SAT score, but students may need to send scores directly from the ACT for colleges to consider them official. Here is the link to send official ACT scores. Consult the Academic Advising Notes (can there be a target link to the spot?) in Quick Links above for ACT practice opportunities or for information about obtaining a fee waiver for ACT registration.

Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation

Second-semester 9th graders onward may order transcripts sent to themselves or to an institution through Parchment, a state-funded service that transfers credentials securely, Students should consult the Academic Advising Notes for how to set up their Parchment accounts.

Students requiring a teacher letter of recommendation should consult the Academic Advising Notes for procedures and links to recommendation request forms.

Planned Absence and College Visit Forms

Students seeking permission to miss school to pursue an educational opportunity must submit a Planned Absence Form at least one week prior to the event. The submitted form requires parent and teacher signatures, so plan accordingly.

Juniors or seniors seeking permission to miss school for a college visit must submit a College Visit Form at least one week prior to the event. The submitted form requires parent and teacher signatures, so plan accordingly.