Frequently asked questions about earning diplomas and being prepared for after high school.

Why should a student earn a high school diploma?

The benefits of a high school diploma should be taken seriously by everyone.  Having a high school diploma helps one gain

examine and feel confident of his or her abilities, as well as instills a sense of pride and accomplishment.  A high school

diploma also opens opportunities for better jobs.  It is impossible to further one’s education without a high school diploma.

Enrolling in college would be impossible without a high school diploma.  These days a person can’t even enter the military

without a high school diploma.

Having a high school diploma tells everyone that you have met your state’s requirements of a quality education.

Having a high school diploma says that you are ready to progress into the college of your choice, or enter into a

professional or technical world.  Even taking some sort of trade school usually requires proof of having a high school diploma.

Most people have found that having a high school diploma earns them high wages at their place of employment than

someone doing the same job without the benefits of a high school diploma.

Some big businesses today have taken action and are partnering up with local high schools to help students entering

the ninth grade to see the importance of attaining a high school diploma.  They are helping parents get involved in

interacting with classes, using individual mentoring help, college preparation and other methods to promote the long

term benefits of obtaining a high school diploma.

Of course, not obtaining a high school diploma has adverse affects on an individual; however, the entire community

is affected as well.  Finding a solution to a large percentage of children not attaining a high school diploma has been

a real challenge to educators.

Productive employment and better citizenship is partly dependant on more youths reaching out and obtaining a

high school diploma.

Top 4 reasons to stay in school.

• Money - People who finish high school make more money than those who don't.
• Friends - Your friends depend on you more than you think.
• Respect - Your friends and family will give you props. Plus, once you've graduated, no one can take that away.
• Choices - The more education you have, the more career choices you'll have in the future. You'll be on your way to

                      being a life long learner.

It's important to help yourself. Find out what you need and go get it. If you have friends in trouble, help them, too.

Talk to them and encourage them to get enrolled in our program and get started like you did. 

What’s Life Like For A High School Dropout?

You got what you thought was a great job and dropped out of high school.  The job is tough but tolerable, and you’re

making ends meet...barely. Bills are always taking your money, and there is rarely any leftover for the luxuries.

No nice car, No stereo, Just bills.

Average Annual Income by Educational Attainment,

U.S. Census Bureau 2000

No high school diploma: $14,349

High school dropouts, on average, earn $9,200 less per year than high school graduates, and about $1 million less over a

lifetime than college graduates. Students who drop out of high school are often unable to support themselves; high school

dropouts are over three times more likely than college graduates to be unemployed. They are twice as likely as high school

graduates to slip into poverty from one year to the next. – “The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts” A report by

Civic Enterprises in association with Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, March 2006

What Can I Expect As A High School Graduate?

You were more interested in hanging out at the mall than going to school, but you made it through and received

your high school diploma. Now you spend at least 40 hours a week at the mall as a sales clerk. You’ve got no

insurance, no benefits, a dead-end job and bills to pay.

Average Annual Income by Educational Attainment,

U.S. Census Bureau 2000

No high school diploma: $14,349

High school diploma: $23,233

What Happens If I Pursue An Associate Degree?

You graduated from high school and took an entry-level job at a local office. You worked there for a few years. It wasn’t stressful. It al

so wasn’t challenging and didn’t offer any prospects for the future. You enrolled at a local community college and ear

ned an associate’s degree. You are now living comfortably in a suburban neighborhood and have more options available for your future.

Average Annual Income by Educational Attainment,

U.S. Census Bureau 2000

No high school diploma: $14,349

High school diploma: $23,233

Associate degree: $31,684

What’s The Difference If I Have A Bachelor’s Degree?

You graduated from high school, enjoyed the summer and started classes at the university in the fall. After four years of football

games, parties, all-night study sessions, research papers and internships, you landed the job of your dreams. You

have a successful career, a nice home and a new car.

Average Annual Income by Educational Attainment,

U.S. Census Bureau 2000

No high school diploma: $14,349

High school diploma: $23,233

Associate degree: $31,684

Bachelor’s degree: $45,648

What Happens If I Get A Master’s Or Professional Degree?

You earned your bachelor’s and kept on going! Then a master’s degree. A professional degree. Hey, people are calling you “Doctor!”

You are among an elite few who hold positions of power and leadership. Your decision to go forward in school paid off!

Average Annual Income by Educational Attainment,

U.S. Census Bureau 2000

No high school diploma: $14,349

High school diploma: $23,233

Associate degree: $31,684

Bachelor’s degree: $45,648

Master’s degree: $56,958

Professional degree: $99,207

Doctoral degree: $87,644

Preparing for College.  Are you ready to go?

The checklist below will help you on your way. 

Freshman Year

• Start thinking about the importance of lifelong learning and the value of a college education.

• Change to well-paced studying.  Stop the short-term cramming.
• Start learning about the impact of grades and course selection on college admission.
• Check curriculum requirements for college entrance and high school graduation.
• Become involved in extracurricular activities, volunteering and internships or other work experiences.
• When making decisions, begin to look at options carefully.  Act decisively.  Take responsibility for final decisions.
• Learn more about college expenses.  Talk to your parents and mentors about savings options.
• Review your high school curriculum.  Meet with your school counselor to review sophomore year course selection
• Maintain good grades.

Sophomore Year

• Start to talk to your teachers, parents and counselors regarding your interests and career possibilities.
• Begin exploring preliminary college options.
• Continue your extracurricular involvement and volunteer work.  Begin to pursue leadership roles.
• Begin exploring the PLAN (pre-ACT) and/or the PSAT exam.
• Keep college correspondence in a well-organized file.
• Review your high school curriculum.  Meet with your school counselor to review junior year course selection.
• Maintain good grades.

Junior Year

• Develop and follow a college search plan.
• Share your plan with your family and school counselors.
• Attend information sessions and college nights sponsored by WestSide High School.
• Consult your high school counselor for college search ideas and advice.
• Review all options... research potential scholarships, state-administered grant programs and other financial assistance.
• Obtain standardized test schedules from your school counselor.
• Plan on taking the ACT/SAT exams for the first time during your junior year.  Prepare accordingly.
• Meet with your school counselor to review senior year course selection and graduation requirements.
• Maintain good grades.

Summer Before Senior Year

• Sort through college mail as it arrives.
• Review your ACT/SAT results and decide if you need to retest.
• Visit different types of schools: small and large, vocational and liberal arts, private and public.
• Develop a list of questions for colleges and take them with you on your visits.

Senior Year

• Continue to take a full course load.
• Maintain good grades.
• Create a schedule of admission and student aid deadlines of the colleges you're interested in attending M

       (Note: Meet deadlines when applying for merit-based scholarships and need-based assistance, such as FAFSA.)

• Select teachers/counselors to write recommendations on your behalf.  Give them the necessary recommendation forms.
• Request transcripts, write essays, complete admissions applications.
• Follow-up to make sure each school has received all of the required application information.
• Make additional visits and, if possible, spend the night and attend classes at your top three schools of interest.
• Remain open-minded as the short list develops.
• Stay positive.  The search for the right school can often be tedious and stressful.
• Compare student aid packages (if applicable) from the colleges where you have been accepted.
• Discuss your options with your parents.
• Make your final decision.
• Notify the chosen school and send in your tuition deposit.  (Note: After making your final decision,

       it is courteous to notify the other schools where you applied.)

If you have more questions please feel free to call (509) 663-7947 or email the principal at:

harum.c@mail.wsd.wednet.edu

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