Graduation Requirements | Core Classes

• English: 4 credits
• Social Studies: 3 credits
• Math: 3 credits (min.)
• Science: 3 credits (min.)
• Health: 0.5 credit
• PE: 1.5 credits
• CTE: 1.0 credit
• Art: 1.0 credit
• Electives: 7 credits

• 24 total credits
  • 60 Service Learning Hours
  • PE Competency Test
  • HSBP

Graduation Pathways

• Students must pass SBA or complete an alternate pathway in English and Math
• Options
  • CHS English or Math
  • SAT Score
  • CTE Pathway
  • ASVAB

Email your counselor with specific questions regarding your pathway

College Applications 101

• Applications open!
• Applications are online- under “how to apply” on college websites
  • Common Application- One stop shop for many schools. We recommend using Common Application if your school accepts it.

• Tip: Create a list of schools and deadlines, and what to consider when applying to college.

Apply to 4 or More Colleges

• At Least 1 Safety: A college you’re confident you can get into.
• At Least 2 Good Fits: Colleges you have a pretty good chance of getting into.
• At Least 1 Reach: A college that you have a chance of getting into, but it’s a stretch.

• We encourage at least one of the applications be for Seattle Promise

Public vs Private School

• Cost
• School size
• School programs (Honors colleges)
• Urban vs Rural
• Good fit

Financial Aid & How to Apply

FAFSA

• Eligibility
  • U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens
• Aid Access
  • Federal Aid Programs
• Application Website
  • Visit the Student Aid site.
• Which to Select
  • US Citizens and Eligible non-citizens
• Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Required

WASFA

• Eligibility
  • Washington state residents who cannot complete a FAFSA due to immigration status.
• Aid Access
  • Washington State Aid Programs
• Application Website
  • Visit the Wa Student Achievement Council site.
• Which to Select
  • Only for students who are ineligible to complete the FAFSA, primarily due to their immigration status
• Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Not Required

What is FAFSA

• The FAFSA stands for: Free application for federal student aid
  • It is free form that students fill out to gain access to different types of financial aid.
• The FAFSA is open October 1– Fill it out ASAP – Funding is rewarded on a first come first serve basis.
• Priority Dates for WA State Colleges:
  • UW – January 15
  • Washington State University – January 31
  • Western Washington University – January 31
  • UW Bothell – February 28
  • Central Washington University – April 1

Complete your FAFSA through the FAFSA site.

What Do I Need to Complete My FAFSA

Student Information

• FSA ID: Student Aid
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Drivers License
• Federal Income Tax Returns, W-2 Form
• Bank Account Balances
• List of schools you are applying to

Parent Information

• FSA ID
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Federal Income Tax Returns, W-2 Forms
• Records of Investments & Untaxed Income
• Martial Status

Scholarship Resources

Application Materials

• Personal Information
• List of activities, jobs, awards
• Personal statement
• Official transcript- sent on Common App in School
  • Report or request through Naviance
• School report (Common App)
  • Counselors will complete
• Letters of recommendation– some schools
  • Add teacher/counselor recommenders on Common App
  • Request a letter of recommendation packet from your counselor
• SAT/ ACT- depending on school

Common APP Support Resources

• Instruction for Applying with the Common App
  • (University of Washington)
• Common App Help Center
  • Do not hesitate to contact Universities admissions offices directly with specific questions

Get Educated

• Apply to over 50 HBCU’s.

Resources

• Khan Academy
  • Get help with writing your college essays FREE.
• Super Match on Naviance
• Big Future on College Board

Technical College What they Offer

• Certificates, Diplomas, and Associate Degrees
• These schools offer hands on training, strong job placement support, smaller class sizes, lower tuition
  • Students’ complete programs in less time: Certificates and Diplomas: 6 months to year and Associates Degree: 2 years
• Common Programs Offered 
  • Things to Look Into:
    • Healthcare — Skilled Trades – Technology — Arts
      • Accreditation, Job Placement Rates, Credit Transfers to 4 Year Universities

Apprenticeship

• Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction under the supervision of a journey-level craft person or trade professional, in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation. Apprenticeship Programs in Washington.

Jay Connolly: SPS Pre-Apprenticeship Coordinator: jcconnolly@seattleschools.org.

Ms. Zarita Hester: Work Site Learning Coordinator for Nathan Hale High School

Volunteering

Volunteering for a year or two is a good way to build character and learn the value of service.

• Programs
  • Americorps NCCC, a residential program for young adults aged 18-24 who want to serve for about a year. Volunteers work in small teams doing community projects related to disaster recovery, environmental stewardship, education, and more. There are three application deadlines a year for this program.
  • AmeriCorps VISTA partners volunteers for a year with non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating poverty.
  • Conservation Corps, much like AmeriCorps but focuses on work outdoors.
  • Global Routes sends young people to foreign countries for 12 weeks or so t perform service.
  • Catholic Volunteer Network has a searchable database of opportunities that don’t require a college degree or any religious affiliation.

Military Pathways

• ROTC is a Military Officer Training Program
• Cadets agree to service in the military college (usually 4-5 years) in exchange for potentially significant finance aid for their college education and a guaranteed post-college career.
• Military Academies – This application process is rigorous. Be early and thorough. The process must begin during your junior year of high school.
• 5 federal United States service academies and each have their own application and process.
  • The United States Military Academy (USMA)
  • The United States Naval Academy (USNA)
  • The United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA)
  • The United States Merchant Marine Academy
    (USMMA)
  • The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)

Requesting Official Transcripts

Sending College in the High School or Running Start Transcripts

Check back for details on sending transcripts for dual credit.

Sending SAT/ACT Scores

• Many schools remain test optional for the SAT/ ACT. Check your college website for testing admission requirements.
• If scores are not required only send scores if they will help your application.
• Students order official score reports directly from SAT and ACT websites. There is a cost to send scores.
• It takes 3 – 4 weeks for scores to be sent to colleges so don’t delay! They must be received before the application deadline.

Senior Year College Timeline

Fall

• Finalize your college list and your essay. Request Letters of recommendations from teachers and counselors
• Finalize and send applications as they become due. Have a parent, teacher, counselor, or other adult review the application before it is submitted.
• Order a copy of your transcript to be sent from your high school
• After October 1- File the FAFSA or the WAFSA
• Take SAT in schoolwide SAT day in October.
  • Send test scores directly to the colleges if required or they support your application

Winter

• Apply for scholarships and remember you should never pay for scholarships.
• No Senioritis! Even if you’ve already submitted most of your applications, don’t slack in the classroom. The college that you choose to attend will want to see your second semester transcript.

Spring

• Acceptance letters and financial aid offers will start to arrive.
• Make your college commitment and make the deposit by May 1.
• Make sure that you have requested that your final high school transcript be sent to the school you will be attending.

Graduate!

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Senior class size?
  • There are 306 Students in the Senior Class
• Are our GPA’s weighted or unweighted?
  • All GPA’s are UNWEIGHTED
• What do I do if I still need help picking colleges?
• Naviance college search, BIG FUTURE on college board, talk to counselor
• What is my class rank?
  • Seattle Public Schools does not rank students. Choose NA or “Does not Rank”
• When is my Senior appointment?
  • Make appointment with counselor using their bookings page or QR Code

Seattle Promise

Seattle Promise Scholarship. Apply for up to two years (or 90 credits) of free college tuition plus support services to help with the transition from high school through college. All Seattle Public School high school graduates are eligible regardless of their grade point average (GPA), family income, test scores or country of birth. The program consists of a four-step application process in addition to attending two college success events before classes begin in Fall 2021. To remain eligible, scholars register full-time for a minimum of 12 credits, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and meet quarterly with Seattle Promise staff to check-in.

College Possible (CP)

College Possible (CP) is a program for 11th and 12th graders at Nathan Hale High School. CP believes all students, regardless of their background, can achieve a college degree. For many, joining CP sparks a new conversation about their future – a future in where graduating from college becomes a reality. Find out more about College Possible. 11th and 12th Grade: Shih Chieh Shen (he/him) sshen@CollegePossible.org To best assist you, please complete the College Possible application

Careers & Employment

• Apprenticeships, Become an Apprentice
• Teen Workers
  • (Hours of work, wages, breaks, youth job safety resources)

College Admissions Testing

• PSAT/SAT/AP – Collegeboard
• ACT/Plan

Financial Aid & How To Apply

Financial aid is money to help pay for college or career training. Its purpose is to make education more affordable by covering costs like tuition, books, and fees.

Local Programs

• Washington Business Week
  • Connects teens to learning more about local businesses
• Making Connections – U of W Women’s Center
  • (Program supporting underrepresented and first generation students through the college admissions process, offering workshops, mentoring, college visits etc.)
• Team Read
  • (Mentoring program that helps struggling readers)
• DO-IT – Disabilities, Opportunities, Internet working and Technology
  • (DO-IT serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers)
• King County Washington’s Youth Program Directory
  • The most comprehensive way to find engaging programs that support and enrich the lives of young people ages 5-young adult.

Running Start Information

SPS Scholarship Bulletin – updated monthly and the Nathan Hale Scholarship page.

Students: An additional scholarship list can be found through Naviance.  Log into your Naviance account and click on the Scholarship tab.

Scholarship Search Sites 
Note: Nathan Hale is not affiliated with these organizations and does not endorse any specific sites. This is for information only.

There are many scholarship websites and search engines.  You can use College Board, FastWeb, or any others that you find helpful.  Always be aware how/if your data is being used.

Here is a list of commonly used sites:

Scholarship Junkies – Developed by a UW student.  Provides free support for finding and applying to scholarships as well as college application essay help. 

Seattle Foundation – Local organization that prioritizes supporting youth to reach their highest potential and increase access to higher education for students pursuing a variety of education paths, whether it be universities, community colleges or technical schools. Access scholarships (beginning November 16, 2020) through Washboard.org, search for Seattle Foundation.  Application deadlines for Seattle Foundation deadlines May 31, 2021.

The Washboard – Scholarship search engine specifically for Washington State students.

Western Undergraduate Exchange program – site provides information about the reduced tuition opportunities at participating state schools in the Western region – can reduce the cost of out-of-state tuition at participating public universities. 

College Board has partnered with 26 scholarship providers for students across all major demographics with awards – ranging from $2,000 to full-tuition scholarships.

There is also a notebook in the Counseling Office with additional scholarship information.

Register for the Selective Service – *Legally required for males, 18-25 years