Dear St. Francis High School Parents/Guardians,

Below is information regarding activities for all students (by class) on Thursday, October 24. Thank you for taking the time to read the details for your child(ren) and planning accordingly.

SENIORS – No school on October 24. We encourage seniors to use this day to visit colleges or work on college applications.

JUNIORS – PSAT/NMSQT: The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is offered - in a digital format only - on October 24. There is no cost to take the test.

• All juniors are registered for the exam unless they opt out.
• Juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT (and meet other program entry requirements specified in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide) enter the National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP), an academic competition for recognition and scholarships conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Students who score in the top 1% of students who take the test across the nation can qualify as a semifinalist in the NMSP and move forward in the competition to become NMSC Finalists and/or Scholars. For more information about the PSAT/NMSQT, click here.
• Students who plan to take the ACT versus the SAT may elect to opt out of the PSAT/NMSQT. The PSAT/NMSQT is a practice exam for the SAT. The PSAT/NMSQT is not used for college admissions. It is only used for evaluation by the National Merit Scholarship Program, which recognizes only the top 1% of scorers who take the test in the fall of their junior year. To opt out, email Bridget Buckley at bbuckley@sfhscollegeprep.org. Students who opt out do not report to school that day.

SOPHOMORES – PreACT: All sophomores take the PreACT on October 24. The PreACT, which is normed for use by 10th graders, allows sophomores to gain experience with the ACT suite of assessments.

• PreACT scores provide insights into students’ predicted performance on the ACT and offer valuable experience with the ACT format. PreACT reporting includes academic and career indicators, which are designed to identify strengths and areas for improvement in various subject areas. The PreACT is not used as part of the college admissions process; it is simply used to gauge student progress.
• There are a limited number of spaces for sophomores to elect to take the PSAT instead of the PreACT. Sophomores who may benefit from taking the PSAT this year are students who score very highly on standardized exams who are looking for experience with the PSAT before their NMSC-qualifying exam during junior year. If you would like to have your sophomore take the PSAT instead of the PreACT, email Bridget Buckley at bbuckley@sfhscollegeprep.org by Monday, September 16.

FRESHMEN – Freshman Retreat: All Freshmen attend the Freshman Retreat on October 24. More information is communicated by Pastoral Ministry.

Thank you,

SFHS Counseling Department