Counseling
Michigan Merit Exam/SAT Information
College and Financial Aid Information
Counseling Office Staff:
First dial 744-1647
Jessica Brown ext. 3707 Counselor for A-G
Paula Olson ext. 3706 Counselor for H-O
Sarah Pennington ext. 3683 Counselor P-Z
Colin McCaw ext. 3710 Counselor
Tracy Allen ext. 3709
Social Worker
Samantha Slusser ext. 3717
Social Worker
Julie Raynor ext. 4007
Speech Therapist
Diana Hynde ext. 3416 Coordinator, Incentive to Learn Internships & Teacher Readiness Training
Julie Schropp ext. 3703
Registrar
Lisa Hobby ext. 3702
Secretary
Cole Halterman ext. 3713
MSU College Advising Corps
COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
Have questions about the 2024-2025 FAFSA?
FAFSA is the "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" and is one of the most important steps for a high school senior who is planning to attend college in the fall. In order to receive financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans, and work study) from the federal government, the college, and even local institutions, seniors MUST file the FAFSA (the sooner the better!) by March 1st, 2025.
For more information on the FAFSA, visit the government website.
If you are a dependent student you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) will need:
Your social security numbers
Your federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.)
Your bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
An FSA ID to sign electronically.
If you have any questions about the FAFSA, or need help filing, contact R-P HS College Adviser, Mr. Halterman (231-744-1647 ext. 3713) -or- haltermanc@reeths-puffer.org) in the counseling office.
Need your transcript sent? You need a "Parchment" Account!
R-PHS uses Parchment.com for students to order their transcripts and send them to colleges for their applications.
If you are a member of the class of 2025 or LATER click on the link below, create an account, then request to have your FREE transcript sent to the colleges of your choice.
If you graduated PRIOR to 2025, you must contact the counseling office secretary (231-744-1647 ext. 3702) to have it mailed to your college choice to avoid being charged a fee.
Early college of Muskegon county
The Early College of Muskegon County (ECMC) is a program where students may earn both their high school diploma and their Associate's Degree, free of charge, by agreeing to stay for a 13th year. Applications must be completed in the sophomore year. Information is available on the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District Web Site.
R-P SENIORS CAN BE "LAUNCHED"
The counseling department is promoting a campaign to make all students aware of the importance of having a post-secondary plan. Any senior who has proof of a plan after high school (college acceptance letter, military enlistment papers, etc.) can come to the counseling office to show their counselor and receive a free "Launched" T-Shirt. It is our hope that all students will be launched into their futures and create discussion between staff and students about future plans.
COLLEGE VISITATIONS
Choosing which college or university to attend is a huge decision that will influence the rest of your life. Reeths-Puffer Schools encourages all Juniors and Seniors to make college visits to gauge whether a particular college is the right place for them. All Juniors and Seniors may visit college campuses once per semester (for a total of four visits) and have their absence from school recorded as a school-related absence. To do this, stop by the counseling office to pick up college visitation forms from the secretary, or just print out the form located here .
Positive Focus Films - To view the series of Positive Focus Films
CREDIT RECOVERY
Credit recovery is offered (for a fee) through Reeths-Puffer High School during the school year, as well as through the summer. The curriculum will be delivered through Edmentum (formerly E2020), a web-based program. For more information, contact your guidance counselor.
The Apollo Program is a credit recovery program offered at the high school for students who are significantly behind in credits. Contact your school counselor for details.
TEST OUT POLICY
Students may have an opportunity twice per year (January and August) to attempt to "test-out" of courses by earning a 77% or higher on that course exam. Sign-ups are in the counseling office in early May (for the August test-out) and December (for the January test-out). Stop in and see the counseling office secretary for more information.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTING
Reeths-Puffer participates in the Advanced Placement Testing Program; a program of standardized tests in various areas through which students may earn college credit.
Students who achieve a score of 3, 4 or 5 on their AP test, can receive a district refund. Refund Application
ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY IN COLLEGE
If you are planning to participate in athletics while in college, you must be aware of the eligibility requirements to do so. Many colleges belong to either the NCAA or the NAIA associations and abide by their eligibility rules. Check out the following links to make sure you will be eligible, and if you have further questions, contact your counselor.
MICHIGAN ONLINE ACCREDITED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
As the advancement of technology changes the way that education is delivered, it is good to be aware of college and university choices which have online programs. When exploring post-secondary options, always be sure that the education you pursue is "accredited" by an outside, reputable source of evaluation, which gives the degree or certificate validity. This link displays accredited Michigan Online Colleges and Universities.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND PREPARATION
What is Career Preparation?
Career Preparation is the term used to describe a variety of activities that are available to prepare your student for success beyond their K-12 education. Reeths-Puffer Schools is committed to providing many opportunities for students to prepare for the future. Although they are too many to list, these opportunities include the following:
Strong Academics – Developing basic skills in reading, spelling, writing, mathematics, social studies and science.
Technology Education – This is much more than computers! Technology education includes teaching students to use complex tools and processes to develop problem-solving and productivity skills.
Career Exploration – Many teachers design assignments and activities around career exploration. These explorations include study trips, classroom speakers, job-shadows and internships are just a few of the many exploration opportunities our students enjoy.
Special programs such as sales projects and career fairs also provide a variety of career exploration experiences.
Exploring Interests – Middle and High School students participate in activities to help them determine their aptitudes, and they complete interest inventories using tools such as Career Cruising, which allow students to uncover their aptitudes and interests and match them to various jobs. Students use these tools to search jobs, colleges, and financial aid. They also use Career Cruising to develop individualized Educational Development Plans.
Employability Skills – In addition to learning good classroom work habits such as study skills, time management and effective use of math, science and language skills, students also learn how to be good team members in the workplace. These include Life Skills at the elementary level.
IEPs - For special needs students, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are created to set classroom objectives and identify additional areas of need and life skills goals. These plans help ensure the success of students who need extra help.
CAREER RESOURCES
There are many available resources to help students learn about the value of education beyond high school as well as choose a career. Click on the following:
The Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook (Current information regarding careers, wages, education, and more)
Education Pays: The Benefits of Higher Education For Individuals and Society (An article about the value of education in society today)
Good Jobs are Back: College Graduates Are First in Line (An article describing the benefits of a college education when applying for jobs)
Recovery: Job Growth and Education Requirements Through 2020 (An in-depth look at educational level attained and earnings by job)
MUSKEGON AREA CAREER TECH CENTER (CTC)
General guidelines and information concerning the Career and Technical Education Programs offered through the CTC:
Muskegon Area Career Tech Center courses are open to juniors and seniors.
A minimum of three credits at Reeths-Puffer High School are required to be taken in addition to the CTC credits.
Successful completion of a two-year certificated Career Tech Center program is designed to prepare students for job entry.
Enrollment in a CTC class is year-long. No drops from CTC courses are allowed at the semester.
All students enrolled in the Muskegon Area Career Tech Center must sign a CTC Contract specific to their program. This contract includes additional rules and procedures with which the student must comply.
Students earning a passing grade in their CTC program will earn 1/2 credit per semester per class period (or a maximum of 3 credits per year).
Students will be expected to follow the CTC calendar.
Reeths-Puffer students will be held to all attendance and disciplinary policies for Reeths-Puffer High School and the CTC.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
(Michigan Merit Curriculum)
Students in the state of Michigan have the following high school graduation requirements:
Four credits of English
Three credits of Social Studies (World History, American History, Government/Economics)
Four credits of Math (Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2 or Technical Math, and a math or math-related course in the senior year)
Three credits of Science (Biology and two more science credits)
Physical Education (.5 Health credit, .5 PE credit)
One credit of a Fine or Applied Art
The class of 2016 and beyond are required two credits of a world language or two years of a grade-level appropriate world language experience
*A fifth English credit, a fifth math credit, a fourth science credit, or extra world language credit may be substituted for health, physical education, or the fine or applied arts credit.
*Two seasons of high school sports or two seasons of marching band may be substituted for the .5 physical education requirement.
*A second credit of fine arts may be substituted for one credit of world language or grade-level appropriate world language experience.
*Many courses at the Career Technical Center can count for certain required credits. See your counselor for details.