How can I or my student make an appointment with a counselor?
Students or parents can call the counseling office (801) 465-6027, email their counselor (click HERE to see which counselor belongs to you), or stop by the counseling office to make an appointment with the secretary. We encourage parents and students to make an appointment so we can spend the necessary time with you and your student.
The Counseling Office is available every Wednesday from 8:00-1:00 throughout the summer. Counselors are in office full time in the beginning of August to the first of June.
The Counseling Office is available every Wednesday from 8:00-1:00 throughout the summer. Counselors are in office full time in the beginning of August to the first of June.
When will my student meet with a counselor for their CCR (College and Career Readiness) meeting?
The counseling office will hold Senior CCR meetings during the first semester of the school year (Aug 1st- end of November) or students are welcome to schedule their Senior CCR at the end of their Junior year. Sophomore CCR meetings will be held during the second half or Spring of the school year (approximately December - April). Counselors will meet with Juniors in their English classes in the Fall.
However, students and parents are welcome to contact their counselor with any questions or concerns they have at any time.
CCR meetings provide an opportunity for parents and students to discuss academics, graduation, scholarships, post-secondary education, and career success.
However, students and parents are welcome to contact their counselor with any questions or concerns they have at any time.
CCR meetings provide an opportunity for parents and students to discuss academics, graduation, scholarships, post-secondary education, and career success.
How can I get a copy of my transcript?
Current students can get a copy of their transcript for free at any time. Payson High graduates will have free access to their transcripts up to three months after graduation (August of their graduating year). Afterwards transcript (kept long-term) and immunization records (only kept for three years after graduation) requests are $3.00.
What do the counselors do?
Counselors at PHS are advocates for student success academically, socially, and emotionally. Students and parents are welcome and encouraged to use counseling services in all three areas. Counselors are not strictly for academic counseling, we also provide emotional support to struggling students and help promote healthy coping skills through individual and group counseling.
What is the class change policy?
Students will have access to view and change their schedule on Aspire during designated times of the school year. Students are encouraged to check their schedules are correct before the school year/semester begins. Occasionally there are errors in a student’s schedule that necessitates a class change. Class changes are permitted during the first 4 days of the school year, depending on class availability. Students interested in making a class change should obtain a class change request form in the counseling office. A $10 class change fee should accompany all requests.
If there is a problem in a class after the first 4 days of a semester, students and parents are encouraged to discuss the issue with the teacher either by phone, email, or scheduling an appointment before or after school. If the problem cannot be solved with a parent/teacher meeting, a schedule concern form can be filled out in the counseling center. That concern will be addressed by administration to determine the next step in the problem solving sequence.
If there is a problem in a class after the first 4 days of a semester, students and parents are encouraged to discuss the issue with the teacher either by phone, email, or scheduling an appointment before or after school. If the problem cannot be solved with a parent/teacher meeting, a schedule concern form can be filled out in the counseling center. That concern will be addressed by administration to determine the next step in the problem solving sequence.
When are the dates for the ACT and how can I sign up?
Dates for the ACT can be found at act.org. Click on the date you wish to test, then select Register for the ACT Test. ACT will prompt you to create an ACT account that will allow you to view your scores after testing. You will also use this account to sign up for future ACT tests.
ACT test prep can be found HERE on our counseling website.
Using Your ACT Results
ACT test prep can be found HERE on our counseling website.
Using Your ACT Results
What scholarships are available and when should I start looking?
It is never too early (or late) to start looking into scholarships! There are a variety of Community (usually just for seniors), State, and National scholarships available - Many of these scholarships are posted on our Scholarship Page.
Colleges and Universities have different requirements for Academic and Merit Scholarships that are based on students' GPA and ACT score. Information about these requirements can be found HERE (scroll down to the bottom of the page). The Regents Scholarship is a state funded program to help students prepare for their college education by taking challenging courses in High School.
There are thousands of scholarships out there; here are some helpful websites to help you start looking:
Fastweb UVU: Gear Up Chegg Scholarships Cappex UtahFutures: Scholarship Search Scholarships.com BigFuture (College Board)
This Scholarship Toolkit will help you build a scholarship resume. Keep any essays you write, many scholarships have similar questions and you can re-use your work!
Colleges and Universities have different requirements for Academic and Merit Scholarships that are based on students' GPA and ACT score. Information about these requirements can be found HERE (scroll down to the bottom of the page). The Regents Scholarship is a state funded program to help students prepare for their college education by taking challenging courses in High School.
There are thousands of scholarships out there; here are some helpful websites to help you start looking:
Fastweb UVU: Gear Up Chegg Scholarships Cappex UtahFutures: Scholarship Search Scholarships.com BigFuture (College Board)
This Scholarship Toolkit will help you build a scholarship resume. Keep any essays you write, many scholarships have similar questions and you can re-use your work!
How do I complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?
FAFSA is completely free to apply. This is the site you will use to complete the application fafsa.ed.gov - stay away from any sites that ask you to pay.
This Do-It-Yourself FAFSA Kit is a great start to gathering the information and documents you will need to fill out the FAFSA. Even if you do not feel that you will qualify for federal aid, you should still fill out your FAFSA completely. Colleges and Universities usually require FAFSA for admission; the Regents Scholarship also requires you to complete it.
Additional FAFSA help can be found HERE.
This Do-It-Yourself FAFSA Kit is a great start to gathering the information and documents you will need to fill out the FAFSA. Even if you do not feel that you will qualify for federal aid, you should still fill out your FAFSA completely. Colleges and Universities usually require FAFSA for admission; the Regents Scholarship also requires you to complete it.
Additional FAFSA help can be found HERE.
What is an FSA ID and how does it relate to the FAFSA?
Your FSA ID is a username and password you use to log into to certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID allows you to access your own personal information on Department of Education websites such as the FAFSA.
For more information click HERE.
For more information click HERE.
What are the differences between Concurrent Enrollment (CE) and Advanced Placement (AP) Courses?
Both CE and AP classes offer students the opportunity to receive college credit for meeting the requirements of the course. Differences and options of AP and CE classes taught at PHS can be found on our Advanced Placement & Concurrent Enrollment Page.
What are the requirements for graduation?
Students at PHS will need a total of 26.0 credits to graduate. The list of specific credits needed can be found HERE.
I'm struggling in a class, what should I do?
A great first step is communication with your teacher, let them know your concerns and see if there is something that you can work out. If you are confused about the subject matter, try to create some specific questions for your teacher. We have wonderful teachers at PHS who are willing to help students before and after school. Math lab and tutoring opportunities are also available to you. Come to the counseling office for math lab schedules, tutoring, or ideas for studying techniques and organizational skills.
