KAPLAN Test Prep and Burlington High School

The KAPLAN program offers SAT test prep courses at Burlington High School. Burlington Juniors receive a subsidized rate of $299.00. SAT test prep is available for the March, May, June and August SAT. Please click on the links below for registration details:

SAT Test Prep for March and May

SAT Test Prep for June and August

2018 PSAT Score Release

PSAT on-line score reports will be available on-line via collegeboard on December 11th 
for Burlington High School students. It will be the responsibility of each student to access their free on-line college board account to view scores and the score report. Along with a score report students get free access to Khan Academy ( in English) or free access to Khan Academy (in Spanish). 

The Guidance Department will mail home the test books before the December vacation week so students may review questions. Included in the PSAT mailing will be information in regard to Kaplan test prep for juniors. Additionally during period 8 on January 29th the BHS Guidance Department will give an overview of how to interpret the PSAT scores. 

For parents, Kaplan test prep will host a Guidance breakfast on Thursday January 30th at 9AM in the BHS Guidance Conference room. 

Please see below information for accessing PSAT scores:

How to Get Your Scores

When your PSAT/NMSQT scores are ready online, you'll get an email with instructions on creating your College Board account, going to your online score report, and using your access code to view your scores.

From your desktop, you can also print your online score report by clicking the View Details button, then clicking Download Report in the top right corner.

Watch this video for more tips to help you access scores

Financial Literacy 101 for Juniors and Seniors

Dr. Seuss wrote, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go.”

As you start out on their own path to financial independence, we’d like to help start the conversation in getting you on your way!

We welcome all High School Juniors & Seniors to join us on Thursday, December 13th, PM, at 6:00 P.M. for Financial Literacy 101 at Burlington High School (Parents encouraged too!).

We will be discussing the following topics;

How and when to get started saving
Deferring instant gratification
Investments 101
Good Debt vs. Bad Debt

We’ll have plenty of pizza for those who attend!  

PLEASE RSVP BY CLICKING ON THE BELOW LINK: 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiB5QcriQ7bYehJYOQGPQFrjKJIlZ05qC7nj38YLbbvo5W3g/viewform?usp=sf_link


OR BY CALLING 781-270-1780

Please find the details below, we hope to see you there.

Details: Thursday, December 13th
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Burlington High School
123 Cambridge Street
Burlington, MA 01803

Featured Speaker:
Joseph Marich, CRPC®
Vice President
Senior Advisor Consultant
Oppenheimerfunds, Inc.

Hosted by:
The Bassi Group
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith

For any questions, please contact;
Marc Marotta, CFP®
781-229-7442Marc.Marotta@ml.com

FASFA Night on December 5th

BHS will be a location this year for FASFA Night on December 5th.  This is a non-profit volunteer driven effort across the state. Parents and students will receive free assistance completing the FAFSA, access to experienced financial aid administrators, and FAFSA experts will be available to answer FAFSA questions.

Parents MUST sign up for FAFSA night in advance at https://www.masfaa.org/fafsa-day-register/. Although computer labs are available, it is highly recommend that parents bring a laptop that day. Also if any parents are interested in volunteering as a Support Volunteer (registration tables, setup, cleanup, etc)  please feel free to register at https://www.masfaa.org/fafsa-day-volunteer/

Stress and Coping Strategies Breakfast

The Guidance Department at Burlington High School will be hosting a Parent Breakfast on Wednesday 11/28, from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM in the BHS Guidance Conference Room. The purpose of this breakfast is to give parents of Burlington High School students the opportunity to have an open dialogue around stress and coping strategies with Burlington High School staff members. Stress and Anxiety impacts all students in a variety of ways. The breakfast is aimed at providing insight into stress and anxiety in adolescents and effective coping strategies.  We look forward to seeing you! Please RSVP by calling 781-270-1780.

Financial Literacy 101 at Burlington High School (Parents encouraged too!)

Dr. Seuss wrote, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go.”

As you start out on their own path to financial independence, we’d like to help start the conversation in getting you on your way!

We welcome all High School Juniors & Seniors to join us on Thursday, December 13th, PM, for Financial Literacy 101 at Burlington High School (Parents encouraged too!).

We will be discussing the following topics;

How and when to get started saving
Deferring instant gratification
Investments 101
Good Debt vs. Bad Debt

We’ll have plenty of pizza for those who attend! Please find the details below, we hope to see you there.

Details: Thursday, December 13th
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Burlington High School
123 Cambridge Street
Burlington, MA 01803

PLEASE RSVP BY CLICKING ON THE BELOW LINK: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiB5QcriQ7bYehJYOQGPQFrjKJIlZ05qC7nj38YLbbvo5W3g/viewform?usp=sf_link

Featured Speaker:
Joseph Marich, CRPC®
Vice President
Senior Advisor Consultant
Oppenheimerfunds, Inc.

Hosted by:
The Bassi Group
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith


For any questions, please contact;
Marc Marotta, CFP®
781-229-7442Marc.Marotta@ml.com

FREE full-length practice ACT for Juniors

The SAT and ACT are the two tests used for college admissions. Students who are planning to apply for admission to four-year colleges and universities are encouraged to start test preparation in their junior year. Burlington High School will be hosting a FREE full-length practice ACT for all interested juniors on Saturday, November 10th at 8:00AM.  This test is recommended for anyone who is interested in taking the ACTs as a junior or who is interested in figuring out whether they prefer the ACTs or the SATs. To sit for this free full-length practice test, students may sign up by clicking on the link below

Tests will be proctored, graded, and returned to you with a strengths and weaknesses assessment and a plan for improvement. The practice ACT will be provided and administered by Testive, a locally-based test prep agency. Students are asked to arrive at BHS by 7:45 a.m. and testing will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. Students should bring two sharpened #2 pencils and an approved calculator.

Juniors should click here to register

College Topics for Senior Parents

The Guidance Department will host a breakfast called “College Topics for Senior Parents” on 10/24/18 at 9AM. The purpose of this breakfast is so the counseling staff can give a very brief overview of important tasks associated with the college selection and application process. This event is geared for parents that missed the Senior College Planning Night on 9/27/18. Please join us for this informative event he BHS Guidance College and Career Center. Parent's MUST RSVP by calling 781-270-1780.

College Fair at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington

On Thursday October 18th from 6:30 -8:00p.m., a college fair will be held at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, MA. The Burlington High School Guidance Department co-sponsors the event with many other Middlesex League High Schools. Usually over one-hundred colleges will attend. A college fair can be a very overwhelming experience for parents and students. The National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) has developed a very helpful tips. We also recommend bringing a pre-determined list of colleges. Make it a priority to visit the schools on your list, then time permitting check out some others. Please remember you are not obligated to stay the whole time, many students spend about an hour at the event.

Below is an updated list of colleges that will be in attendance. This list is updated as of 10/17.

Anna Maria College

Assumption College

Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology

Bentley University

Berklee College of Music

Binghamton University

Brandeis University

Bridgewater State University

Bridgton Academy

Bryant University

Castleton University

Champlain College

Clarkson University

Colby-Sawyer College

Columbia College- SC

Curry College

Dean College

Dickinson College

Drexel University

Elmira College

Elms College

Emerson College

Emmanuel College

Endicott College

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising

Fisher College

Framingham State University

Franklin Pierce University

Hartwick College

High Point University

Hofstra University

Husson University

Jacksonville University

Johnson & Wales University

Keene State College

Lasell College

Le Moyne College

Lesley University

Marist College

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Massachusetts College Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Merrimack College

Middlesex Community College

Muhlenberg College

New England College

New England Hair Academy

New England School of Photography

Newbury College

Nichols College

North Shore Community College

Northeastern University

Northern Essex Community College

Northern Vermont University

Norwich University

Paul Smith's College

Penn State University

Plymouth State University

Providence College

Purdue University

Quinnipiac Univeristy

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rivier University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Sacred Heart University

Saint Anselm College

Saint Joseph's College

Saint Michael's College

Salem State University

Salve Regina University

School of Fashion Design

Siena College

Simmons University

Skidmore College

Smith College

Southern New Hampshire University

Springfield College

St. John's University

St. Lawrence University

Stonehill College

Stony Brook University (SUNY)

Suffolk University

Syracuse University

Temple University

Thomas College

Union College

University at Albany (SUNY)

University of Connecticut

University of Delaware

University of Hartford

University of Maine

University of Maine at Machias

University of Massachusetts Lowell

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

University of Massachusetts, Boston

University of New England

University of New Haven

University of Rhode Island

University of Saint Joseph (CT)

University of Scranton

University of Southern Maine

University of Tampa

University of Vermont

Washington College

Wellesley College

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Western New England University

Westfield State University

Worcester State University

Financial Aid Workshop

Many families focus on the college search, selection and admission process. We believe that figuring out how to pay for college is also an important part of this process. The BHS Guidance Department will sponsor a Financial Aid Workshop hosted College Funding Services on:

Tuesday October 16th at 6:00 in the BHS Auditorium

This seminar will provide information on:

         (1)   Overview of the entire financial aid process

(2)   What you can do to minimize your family contribution, and maximize your eligibility for need-based financial aid

(3)   Why you should apply even if you WILL NOT qualify for need-based aid

(4)   Fin Aid deadlines i.e. FAFSA/CSS profile

(5)   How to value different assets – Home, 529’s, retirement, etc.

(6)   Which colleges give the most money

(7)   How to leverage colleges against one another

(8)   How to appeal your financial aid package

(9)   Pros and Cons of different borrowing options

Sponsored by

Senior College Planning Night Recap

Senior College Planning Night was well attended with roughly 90 parents. The BHS Guidance staff covered many aspects of the college planning and application process were covered. For parents that missed the event, BCAT will stream the event within the next week. Informational packets were distributed to all that attended. If you would like to pick up a packet please feel free to stop by the Guidance Office.

Also for parents that missed this event we will hold our annual "College Topics for Parents of Seniors" breakfast on October 24th at 9:00 AM in the BHS Guidance Conference Room. This informative event will cover the various topics relating to the college selection and application process for parents of Burlington High School seniors.

In terms of financial aid, two very important forms were mentioned last night. The FAFSA and the CSS profile. Both forms are now available. We encourage parents to investigate both applications ASAP. Please remember that the BHS Guidance Department will host a Financial Aid Night on October 16 at 6:00.

BHS will be a location this year for FASFA Night on December 5.  This is a non-profit volunteer driven effort across the state. Parents and students will receive free assistance completing the FAFSA, access to experienced financial aid administrators, and FAFSA experts will be available to answer FAFSA questions.

Parents MUST sign up for FAFSA night in advance at https://www.masfaa.org/fafsa-day-register/. Although computer labs are available, it is highly recommend that parents bring a laptop that day. Also if any parents are interested in volunteering as a Support Volunteer (registration tables, setup, cleanup, etc)  please feel free to register at https://www.masfaa.org/fafsa-day-volunteer/

Freshman Parent Breakfast

The Burlington High School Guidance Department will be hosting a breakfast for all parents of freshman students on Wednesday October 3rd in the BHS Guidance Conference Room from 9:00 to 10:00 am. The Guidance Department at BHS has recognized that it often takes a full year for students and parents to understand and access the numerous programs, resources, and committed staff we have at Burlington High School. Our goal is to expedite this process for you by discussing topics important for the transition to high school. Please join the Guidance Department for this informative and open dialogue. Parents must RSVP by calling 781-270-1780.

Financial Aid Events at BHS

BHS Financial Aid Seminar

Hostedby College Funding Services

This seminar is designed for parents of seniors, or any interested parent
Tuesday October 16, 2018

6:00 P.M.

Location: Burlington High School Auditorium

“FAFSA Night 2018”

Hosted by BHS Guidance and MEFA

This event is designed for senior parents and senior students

Wednesday December 5, 2018

6:00 P.M.

Location: Burlington High School Cafeteria

Parents MUST register to attend at http://www.fafsaday.org/

 Financial Literacy 101 

Hosted by The Bassi Group

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith

This event is designed for parents of juniors and seniors, or any interested parents

Thursday December 13, 2018

6:00 P.M.

Location: Burlington High School Auditorium

Senior College Planning Night

Senior Parents and Seniors are reminded that College Planning Night will be held on Thursday September 27, 2018 at 6:00 in the Burlington High School Auditorium. The evening will cover a variety of topics in regard to the college selection and application process. Several Guidance staff members will be at this event and we look forward to seeing you.

If you cannot make the event, it will be televised on BCAT. The showtimes will be posted soon.

2018 PSAT/NMSQT Offered at BHS

Burlington High School will be a national testing center for the administration of the PSAT Exam and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. For the several years 90% or more Burlington High School seniors take the SAT exam. The PSAT is an excellent opportunity to prepare and gain an understanding of the SAT exam. Juniors are also eligible for a National Merit Scholarship depending on the score.

All sophomores will take the PSAT free of charge, however juniors MUST register and pay a fee of $30.00. The Guidance department highly recommends juniors take the exam again this year. Registration materials are being mailed on 9/14/18, and students will also receive information in homeroom. You can also find registration materials by clicking here. We ask that Juniors register ASAP so they may pick up a PSAT study guide which provides valuable testing information.

Upcoming Financial Aid Webinars in September

Upcoming Webinars in September

Dear Partners:

Federal Student Aid regularly hosts webinars for students, parents, student loan borrowers, and college access professionals. In September, we are providing a few webinars that will help you get ready to work with student sand parents in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form:

For students, parents and college access professionals:

FAFSA^® Process: Filling Out the FAFSA Form (Tuesday, Sept. 25, 4-5 p.m. ET)

Registration fills up quickly, so sign up today!

Keep an eye on StudentAid.gov/events for upcoming webinars in October and November and other events for students, parents, and borrowers; and watch the Get Training page on the Financial Aid Toolkit for 

Counselors FinancialAidToolkit.ed.gov/training to find webinars intended to enhance your professional development.

Missed a webinar? You can view the recording online

We understand that sometimes you can't watch a webinar live. To ensure you don't miss out on useful information, we have recorded all of our webinars and posted them atStudentAid.gov/resources#webinars. For webinars that cover topics just for college access professionals, please go to FinancialAidToolkit.ed.gov/resources.

2018-2019 Guidance Events

The Guidance Department is happy to announce a full schedule of BHS Guidance Events for the 2018/2019 school year (links can be found on the right hand side of this blog). In addition to ALL the BHS Guidance Events, we have the schedule for the Guidance Parent Breakfast Series. Based on parental feedback the Guidance Department has identified a variety of topics to cover throughout the school year for any interested parent.

If you miss any of our events we film several events and can be found on the BCAT web-site. 

                     

Guidance Parent Council

The Guidance Department is continuing with Guidance Parent Council. The purpose of this council is so the guidance department can meet with parents and/or students to discuss how Guidance Services function, get parental feedback on guidance services and possibly implement or review current guidance services. The start date still need to be finalized, but meetings will start in late-September and held 3:10 on Thursdays. Any interested parents or students please contact Joe Attubato, Guidance Director at attubato@bpsk12.org

Kaplan Test Prep Free SAT's and PSAT's

Attention 10th and 1 1th grade students:

Kaplan Test Prep and Burlington High School will be hosting TWO separate, private practice test. Please see details below.

PSAT PRACTICE TEST

Class of 2021 or younger

Free Full Practice PSAT Exam

Saturday 9/14/19 from 9AM to1PM

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  Thursday. Sept.12, 2018

To register go to: 

 https://www.kaptest.com/class/PKKA190002 

SAT PRACTICE TEST

Class of 2020 

Free Full Practice SAT Exam

Saturday 9/21/19 from 9AM to 1PM

To register go to: 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Wed. Sept.19, 2019 

https://www.kaptest.com/class/SKKA190015

We would recommend that seniors that missed the SAT last spring, or seniors that want to brush up on skills, take the free practice SAT test. 

Juniors and sophomores will take the collegeboard sponsored PSAT on 10/16 The test on 10/16 is a full scale PSAT,  and If students score high enough they can potentially qualify for national merit. So for students in grades 10 and 11, the practice PSAT gives them a chance to prepare for the upcoming PSAT at BHS on 10/16. The PSAT on 10/16 is NOT free for juniors, but is free for sophomores. 

Either practice test gives students a chance to practice under test conditions which hopefully reduces test day stress.

Guidance Parent Breakfast

The date for Guidance Parent Breakfast has been changed to Wednesday June 20th at 8:30.

The Guidance Department will host a breakfast called “College Topics for the Summer”. The purpose of this breakfast is so the counseling staff can give a very brief overview of important tasks associated with the college selection and application process. Although this event is geared for parents of juniors, ALL parents are welcome to attend. Please join us for this informative event. We look forward to seeing you on June 20th at 8:30 AM in the Burlington High School Guidance Conference Room. We ask that parents RSVP by calling 781-270-1780.

Financial Aid Night Review

Financial Aid Night for Senior parents was well attended. Many aspects of the financial aid process were covered by Matt Carpenter from College Funding Services. 

Two very important forms were mentioned. The FAFSA and the CSS profile. We encourage parents to investigate both applications ASAP. Don't forget you can take advantage of  a FAFSA on the web work-sheet. This can be helpful as you navigate through the FAFSA process. 

We encourage parents to get familiar with the MEFA web-site. MEFA provides a wealth of free, accurate and up to date information. Amy encouraged parents to try the MEFA tools page, which has a number of tools you can use such at the EFC Calculator. The EFC calculator can estimate the figure that colleges will use to determine eligibility.