The many Wicomico County seniors and their parents who are already making plans for where to go to college next year – and how to pay for it – can take hope in the knowledge that Wicomico County students have been able to secure an ever increasing amount of scholarship dollars to fund higher education.
The class of 2012 tallied $15,710,487 in merit, athletic, academic, senatorial, need-based and other scholarships. That total was a 54% increase over the previous year’s total of $8.5 million.
“The increase in awarded scholarship money shows the academic strength of the students graduating from Wicomico County Schools,” said Lori Batts, Supervisor of Counseling for Wicomico Schools. “Our students have really hit the mark in order to be eligible for the scholarships that are out there. There is an increased awareness of the rigorous course work that we offer in Advanced Placement classes, and the fact that performance at this level is needed to be offered college academic scholarships. There is also student and parent awareness that the process of getting ready for college and scholarships begins much earlier than the senior year – and even earlier than high school.”
October 17 will be an important day for college and career planning for many Wicomico secondary students. Students in grades 9, 10 and 11 should mark their calendars now for Wednesday, Oct. 17 for the PSAT/NMSQT, an early measure of academic preparedness for college. The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered Oct. 17 for all students in grade 10. The school system will pay the exam cost for all 10th-graders; 9th- and 11th-graders may also sign up for the exam through the guidance office. The PSAT/NMSQT serves as an excellent preparation tool for the SAT, provides an evaluation of students’ academic skills, aids in college and career planning, and serves as a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Corp. program, through which students can receive scholarships and recognition. Additional information is available in high school guidance offices.
New this year is the ReadiStep assessment for all Wicomico students in grade 8. Like the PSAT/NMSQT, the ReadiStep is a College Board test. It is designed to help identify students for potential enrollment in higher-level high school courses (such as Advanced Placement) that will prepare them for college and career success.
Yeah for Wicomico County Schools, hardworking students, parents, teachers and administrators!
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