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College and Career Prep

College and Career Guidance

Weekly classroom guidance activities with students are developed around the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) standards with a focus on meaningful discussion involving college and career readiness. All classroom guidance activities touch upon academic, career or personal/social development.

Volunteer Opportunities

Please contact your counselor if you are interested in any of the opportunities listed below.

Service Learning Opportunities

JO Combs USD Elementary Schools:

Date: Throughout the year (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday)
Time: 3 pm - 5:30 pm daily
Event Contact: Kelly Guerra
What: Student volunteers needed to work with elementary children enrolled in the Combs Kidz program.

San Tan Valley Farmer's Market:

Date: 2nd Saturday of each month (excluding September and October)
Where: Combs High School student parking lot
Time: 5 am - 12 pm
Event Contact: santanvalleyfarmersmarket.com
What: Help distribute produce for Produce on Wheels Without Waste
 
Hoofbeats with Hearts:
 
What: Equine assisted activities and therapies for children and adults.
Where: 43491 N Coyote Rd, San Tan Valley, 85140
Event Contact: 602-421-7718
 

Arizona Schools Virtual Tours

Check the different virtual tours for different universities home to Arizona!

 

Career Ready Testing

ASVAB is offered to all seniors this year in November.

Seniors are given the opportunity to take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). This assessment gives a good picture to students of their strengths in regards to identifying career clusters. Students do not have to be military bound to take the assessment. If students are military bound, the results are used by recruiters and students to help identify the best path for students to serve.

College Ready Testing

The following information is a guideline on when you should take specific tests:

Grade 10 Testing

The PSAT is being offered to all sophomores in October.

In grade ten, students will take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) as a practice test for the SAT in their junior year. PSAT scores will not be used by any college for admission purposes. Students can use PSAT information to log into My College QuickStart; see correct answers and explanations, see which AP courses you may be ready for now and search for colleges and career tracks. 

Students also take the placement test for Central Arizona College. These scores give students an idea of strengths and growth areas as they begin to prepare for post-secondary education. 

Grade 11 Testing

Students in eleventh grade who scored in the 90 percentile should take the PSAT in October of their junior year. Scores on this test enter students into the National Merit Scholarship program.  These scores have validity in predicting the scores on the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), and taking the test is good practice for taking college entrance examinations. In the spring of the eleventh grade, students should also take the SAT and/or ACT. Generally, colleges use the highest total score on any one test. Therefore, students can take it as many times as they wish, provided they have the time and resources to do so.

Grade 12 Testing

All college-bound students should take the ACT and/or SAT if they have not taken them in their junior year. They take them as many times as they feel they need to in order to achieve the highest possible scores. Students should make sure to schedule their test dates in time to meet the application deadlines of the colleges where they are applying.

Testing Waivers

Both the SAT and ACT offer waivers for students that are on the Free/Reduced Lunch Program. If you are signing up for a SAT or ACT exam and you qualify, please come to your counselor’s office to get a waiver.  Please remember that we do need to verify your participation in the program, so make sure your parents have filed the proper forms with the district prior to visiting your counselor.

SAT/ACT Facts

Commonly asked questions about the SAT and ACT.