On three consecutive Tuesdays in October and November, Ripon High School is offering a career and post-secondary planning program that will lead to more informed students, more informed parents, better course selection while in high school, better standardized test scores while in high school, and better decisions to help families avoid the stress of not knowing which placement tests to take, which to avoid, and what training students should pursue after high school.
A complete condensed schedule of classes will follow after each day’s activity, starting at 10:30.
Keep in mind that career planning and post-secondary planning are not two separate things. There are jobs available in Wisconsin right now. However, they require skilled labor. The challenge is matching skills and training with the jobs that are available.
Freshmen:
Tuesday, October 23
7:50-8:10 Meet in advisory. Room assignments will be posted on the wall across from the office (some advisories will meet in different locations). The EXPLORE test survey will be started at this time.
Why EXPLORE? The EXPLORE is a practice ACT test. The ACT is taken as part of the admission process for a 4-year college, and can also be used as the entrance exam for most technical colleges. Taking a practice ACT like the EXPLORE typically increases your score when you take the ACT. It also has a career interest component which is helpful for post-secondary planning.
8:15-9:00 Presentation in the auditorium from Fox Valley Technical Institute on what a technical college has to offer.
9:00-10:25 Back to advisory, finish EXPLORE survey.
Tuesday, October 30
7:50-7:55 Meet in advisory in same room as last time.
8:00-9:00 Presentation in the auditorium from Ripon College and UW-Fond du Lac on the 2 + 2 or 4-year college options.
9:00-10:25 Back to advisory, finish EXPLORE survey if it isn’t completed, work on 4-year plan for RHS, quarter 1 grade checks, homework time.
Tuesday, November 6
7:50-10:25 Meet in advisory in same room as last time. Take EXPLORE exam.
Sophomores:
Tuesday, October 23
7:50 to 10:25 Sophomores will take day 1 of the WKCE test. This is a state required test that measures all core academic areas. Room assignments will be posted on the wall opposite the office. Students should bring their scientific calculator and two no. 2 pencils to day 1 of the test. They are allowed to bring a book to read after they have completed a test session.
Tuesday, October 30
7:50 to 10:25 Sophomores will take day 2 of the WKCE test. Room assignments will be posted on the wall opposite the office. Students should bring two no. 2 pencils.
Tuesday, November 6
7:50 to 10:25 Sophomores will take day 3 of the WKCE test. Room assignments will be posted on the wall opposite the office. Students should bring two no. 2 pencils.
Juniors and Seniors:
For the options indicated, students often can’t do more than one because of time constraints.
Tuesday, October 23
Option 1:
7:30 to 11:30 Take the optional practice ACT test. This is an actual retired test, proctored by an RHS teacher. Typically, the more experience you have taking the ACT, the better your score. The fee for this test is $22.00, and students must sign up in Guidance by noon on October 22. Room number to be announced based on how many students sign up.
Option 2:
9:30-10:15 Presentation in the auditorium from Fox Valley Technical Institute on what a technical college has to offer.
Tuesday, October 30
Option 1:
7:20-? Take the Accuplacer (technical college entrance exam) in the media center. The test consists of answering multiple choice questions covering reading, mathematics, writing and language use skills AND writing an essay on a familiar topic. It is not timed. There is no fee for this test but you must sign up in Guidance by noon on October 22.
Option 2:
7:20-? Take the ASVAB (military entrance exam) in room 167. This test consists of assessing science, word knowledge, math and mechanical comprehension and takes approximately 3 hours to complete. The test also has a career interest component. Many students who take the ASVAB do not join the military and there is no obligation to do so. There is no fee for this test but you must sign up in Guidance by noon on October 22.
Option 3:
9:15-10:15 Presentation in the auditorium from Ripon College and UW-Fond du Lac on the 2 + 2 or 4-year college options.
Tuesday, November 6
Option 1:
8:00-10:15 Bus to Ripon College for a campus tour. Parents are also welcome to attend. Bus leaves at 8:00 AM from the front lobby. Written parent permission is required. Sign up in Guidance by noon on October 29.
Option 2:
8:15-12:00 College Preview Days at Moraine Park Technical College. Parents are also welcome to attend. Bus leaves at 8:15 AM from the front lobby. Written parent permission is required. Students must pre-register for this event at the Moraine Park website before November 1. Sign up in Guidance before November 1.
This is a regular day of school for juniors and seniors not attending the field trip. Juniors and seniors will have a regular day of school after the field trip.
Students with questions, please see your counselor.