Student Support Team

Park Hill South graduates will possess knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their college and career plans and their personal well-being, prepared to meaningfully contribute to an increasingly complex and diverse world.

School Counselors collaborate with students, staff, community members and parents/guardians, with a focus on equity and access for all students, to implement at Park Hill South High School a comprehensive school counseling program that supports the academic, career, and social/emotional development needs of all students through the program components of

• School counseling curriculum;
• Individual student planning;
• Responsive services; and,  
• System support,

to ensure all students flourish in an ever-changing world.

• All students have value, dignity, and can achieve to be successful learners.
• All students - regardless of ability, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or socioeconomic status - shall have equal access to all services (academic, career, and social/emotional) provided by a Comprehensive School Counseling Program.
• All students will have equal access to school counselors who are engaged in continuous professional development who use data to drive program evaluation and improvement.
• Through the School Counseling Program’s Direct Counseling Services component, counselors will meet the individual career and college planning needs of all students.
• School Counselors will engage various stakeholders to ensure programs and initiatives consider vulnerable, disenfranchised, and exceptional students to increase equity and access to opportunity for all students.
• The School Counseling Program helps build a positive school environment by encouraging collaboration among counselors, teachers, administrators, parents, and other stakeholders to further student achievement.
• The School Counseling Program utilizes the Missouri Comprehensive School Counseling Program - which is in alignment with the American School Counselor Association Model.
• Every counselor will follow the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors by personifying the highest level of ethical behaviors.

Angie Sharp

Students: A-Cq

 

 

 

 

 

JENNIFER GROSSMAN

Students: Cr-G

 

 

 

 

 

Andy Dale

Students: H-La

 

 

 

 

 

APRIL McREYNOLDS

Students: Lb-0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Nutt

Students: P-SL

 

 

 

 

 

Traci Dorrell

Students: Sm-Z

 

 

 

 

AMANDA SHANKS
STUDENTS: A-K
 

RACHEL COLVIN
STUDENTS: L-Z

Sarah LEIBRAND

Students A-La
816-359-5571
 

 

 

 

 

Lauren Elmore

Students Lb-Z
816-359-5931

Greg Knepper

504 Coordinator
816-359-6883

Katie Manga

MTSS Coordinator
816-359-4122

Elizabeth rodriguez

Registrar - Graduating Seniors and Former Students
816-359-6606

 

 

 

 

Kiley Hochard

Registrar - Students Moving In or Out of District
816-359-6739

jEN o'brien

816-359-6399

 

 

Consists of educational activities in classroom lessons and large group presentations that help students attain the Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) in the areas of social/emotional, career, and academic development. 

 

Counselor Talks

Students can sign up for Counselor-led sessions on the below topics by using the QR code:

 

Consists of ongoing systemic activities to help all students establish personal goals to plan, monitor, and manage their own learning as well as their personal and career development. 

Consists of activities to meet immediate needs and concerns of students.

Consists of management and evaluation activities and services that establish, maintain, enhance and support the district's total school counseling program. 

For the 2024-25 school year, we are using Xello.  Here are instructions to request transcripts:  

Transcript Request Instructions

All former students (2021 grads and beyond) can complete this Google Form.

If you have earned college credit from MCC-Maple Woods through a dual credit class at Park Hill South, you must request to have a transcript sent to the college/university you plan to attend after you graduate. To request a transcript, follow these instructions: 

1. Access your myMCCKC Account
2. Find the Student Center Home
3. There is a pull-down menu that includes an option to request a transcript.

To have your scores sent to your college after you graduate high school: AP scores will be available online in mid July each summer.  To get scores, student must sign up for a College Board account by going to View Your Scores on AP Exams – The College Board

We encourage students to take this step now so they’ll be ready to access their AP scores in July. For more information, go to apscore.org.   

Find colleges and universities that offer credit or placement for AP scores. 

Each student meets with their counselor one-on-one throughout the school year to discuss their four-year academic plan.  Four-year plans are housed on Infinite Campus. Parents and Guardians are highly encouraged to have conversations with their student(s) regarding their academic plans.  

Questions to talk through with your student(s) regarding their Four-Year Plans:

• What are your goals after high school?
• What do you want to explore now, for free, to explore your interest in college and career explorations?
• How are you challenging yourself academically as well as providing balance to things you are interested and excited about? 
• Why did you pick these classes? (It should not be because their friends did.)

The Park Hill Professional Studies program provides students with authentic learning experiences and meaningful professional connections. Through partnerships with individuals and businesses, Professional Studies connects what we teach in the classroom with what occurs in the workplace.  Students are eligible to enroll in Professional Studies during their junior or senior year.  For more information, visit the Park Hill Professional Studies website.

• Applications for 2025-26 are here. 
• Applications are due February 7, 2025.

The Northland Career Center offers 12 exciting career programs for Park Hill South students.  Students are eligible to attend NCC during their junior and/or senior year.  For more information on Northland Career Center, visit their website.  Students must complete an application and attend a required "shadow visit" prior to enrollment.

• Applications for 2024-2025 are here. 
• Applications are due February 7, 2025

Northland Center for Advanced Professional Studies (Northland CAPS) provides high school students with a professional, innovative and entrepreneurial education through full immersion in high demand/high skill careers. Northland CAPS students solve real world problems, using business standard software, equipment and are mentored by real employers.  Students are eligible to attend Northland CAPS during their junior and/or senior year.  For more information, visit the Northland CAPS website.

• Applications for 2024-2025 are here.
• Applications are due February 7, 2025

 

Park Hill Summer School Enrollment Form – High School 2025

Park Hill Early College Academy (ECA) is a program at Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods that allows motivated high school students to earn college credits or work towards an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree as they earn a high school diploma. Students take classes at MCC-Maple Woods for half the day and classes at their home high school the other half of the day. The cost of the program is covered by the district (tuition and books).

• Use your XELLO account for these helpful college planning features:
  • EXPLORE OPTIONS:  Careers, Schools, Majors
    • Conduct a personalized search and save your options!
• Visit with one of the many college reps that come to Park Hill South each year. 
  • Sign up for a College Representative Visit here
• Attend a Regional College Fair. 

• Narrow down your list of colleges to your top 3-5 schools and schedule your campus visit.
• Schedule your college visits ahead of time.
• All college visits are scheduled through the admissions offices.
• Schedule your visit online through the college/university website.
• Here are college visit resources:
  • ACT College Planning Resources
  • College Board Campus Visit Guide
  • FastWeb College Visit Resources
  • Princeton Review "The College Visit" 
  • US News and World Report "College Tours"
  • US News and World Report "10 Tips for an Effective College Visit."
     

• Register for the ACT or the SAT on a National Test Date (Saturday)
  • Visit ACT.org or SAT.org for more information on test dates and how to register
• Don't forget to have your scores sent to your school!
• Do you need a fee waiver? See your counselor for details.

• College applications are filled out online directly through your college/university's website.
• Keep in mind that most schools charge an application fee. If you need an application fee waiver, please see your counselor for help.
• Be aware of early action and early decision deadlines.  Many of these are as early as Nov 1.   Please check with your college or university for their application deadlines.   This is very important to be admitted, meeting early scholarship deadlines, applying for housing and etc. Click here for more information about Early Action and Early Decision.
• Students who are applying to selective colleges may want to use the Common Application. 
  Please visit with your counselor before using the Common Application.

• If there are supplemental application documents included in the application process, for example counselor recommendation forms or letters of recommendation,  PLEASE GIVE  ADVANCED NOTICE. (2 weeks is customary) to your counselor or your letter writers.  Do not wait until the last minute.
• Please keep in mind that not all college applications will need a letter of recommendation, or have a supplemental form.  Please see your counselor if you need help.

• Request your transcripts to be sent to your college/university immediately AFTER you have submitted your application for admission.
• Submit your transcript request through XELLO (PDF Instructions)

• How will you pay for college? Read below for resources and help!
• Are you looking for scholarships? Read below for resources and help!
• Don't forget to file your FAFSA! You can do this as early as October 1st!  Read below for resources and help!
• Are you in the A+ program? Visit the A+ page for information to help you pay for college.

• Career Matchmaking Assessments:  Matchmaker asks you about your likes and dislikes and then suggests careers based on your interests.  Using a series of assessments students discover careers that best suit their interests, personality, and skills. These assessments take the form of interactive quizzes that engage students in self-discovery and reflection, and improved self-awareness.
• Personalized Digital Portfolio:  Students create a personal portfolio that represents who they are today and captures their plans for the future. Customizable background images and avatars encourage students to make the space their own, and a shareable link makes sharing their journey with their networks easy.
• Longterm Goal Planner:  This visual roadmap helps students map out a plan that connects their career and education goals, breaking down their aspirations into tangible steps needed to achieve success.

• College Entrance Exam Required by most Colleges
• Sign up at www.actstudent.org
• Park Hill South hosts ACT tests in September, December and June only.  Please check the ACT website for other locations providing testing on other national test dates.
• Park Hill South High School Code 262-802
• Cost: $63.00 (No Writing)
• Cost: $88.00 (With Writing)

2024-2025 National Test Dates

• September 14
  • Registration Deadline: August 9
  • Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply):  August 25
• October 26
  • Registration Deadline: September 20
  • Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply): October 7
  • Standby Deadline: October 18
• December 14
  • Registration Deadline: November 8 
  • Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply) November 22
  • Standby Deadline: December 6
• February 8
  • Registration Deadline: January 3
  • Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply): January 20
  • Standby Deadline: January 31
• April 5
  • Registration Deadline: February 28
  • Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply): March 16
  • Standby Deadline: March 28
• June 14
  • Registration Deadline: May 9
  • Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply) May 26
  • Standby Deadline: June 6
• July 12
  • Registration Deadline: June 6
  • Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply): June 20
  • Standby Deadline: July 4

 

Park Hill South High School does not endorse any particular test preparation company or service over another. The school will post information about reputable, high quality programs at its discretion.
 

• Prep Resources from act

  • ACT Parent and Student Newsletters: ​Sign up to receive newsletters here
    • Select your class to plan your future
    • Prepare for college and career
    • Achieve success with ACT help
  • ACT Academy 
    • ​Free online learning tool and test practice program designed to help you get the best score possible on the ACT test. To learn more, click here.
  • ACT Academy Instructions PowerPoint
    Take a look at this short PowerPoint helping you navigate the ACT Academy!
  • ACT Free Study Guide click here
  • ACT Question of the Day click here
  • ACT online subject practice Tests click here
  • ​ACT Webinars for students and parents click here
    
     

• Mid-Continent Public Library (free)

  • If students are looking for resources to help prepare for the upcoming ACT on October 23*, Test Prep from Tutor.com is a free tool they can use with their MCPL student account. 
     
    Test Prep's Live Tutor service is open from noon to midnight, seven days a week, and offers one-on-one, online assistance in English and Spanish for topics including SAT, ACT, PSAT, and AP Tests. A free account is required to use test prep.​ Learn more by clicking here

 

• March 2 Success

  • Free test-taking resource available for students   The U.S. Army Recruiting Command is helping prospective recruits and other students improve their test-taking strategies and math, science and English skills through March2Success, a free Web-based program. With a curriculum designed by Kaplan and Educational Options, Inc., the program is proving successful according to teachers and students using it. Participants may select part of all of the sections offered though March2Success, and are free to repeat lessons. March2Success is available at www.march2success.com. Registrants may request recruiter contact through the site; however, they are not required to do so and will not be contacted without request.
     

• KAPLAN

  • Kaplan provides a variety of test preparation options along with free, practice tests. Kaplan also offers affordable, ACT cram sessions; find out more about those by clicking here. Visit www.kaptest.com for more information. 
     

• COLLEGE TUTORS

  • College Tutors offers individualized and group tutoring for ACT and SAT preparation. This local company also offers a number of other college readiness services like essay writing and study skills. 

 

• THE TUTORING CENTER

  • "The Tutoring Center offers individualized tutoring taught by our own expert instructors. Our standardized programs provide students with the confidence, skills and test-taking traegies needed to succeed on test day." They often offer free ACT and SAT practice tests, as well. Learn more by visiting their website, www.tutoringcenter.com, or calling 816-781-0000.

     

The PSAT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a test is for sophomores and juniors only.  It is only offered at PHS on October 29, 2024 and no other date during the school year. 

​For juniors, it is the test to qualify for National Merit Scholarship designation.  For sophomores, the test is for practice and students will not be eligible for scholarship consideration.  The PSAT is also one criteria used for the selection of sophomore students for the Missouri Scholars Academy. 

In addition to serving as a great preparation tool for students who plan to take the SAT in the future, the PSAT also provides students with AP potential feedback (list of AP courses that might be appropriate for the student based on this test).

Please note: This test is OPTIONAL. If you would like more information, please visit the PSAT website, or contact your student's counselor.

• Why should students take the PSAT/NMSQT?
  • The PSAT offers great preparation for the SAT and any other standardized tests.
    Students who take the PSAT their junior year and meet other program entry requirements may enter the National Merit Scholarship Program. Also, it can give insight into which AP courses you may be ready to take. The PSAT measures the knowledge and skills a student has developed in reading, writing and language and math. Students who take the PSAT will get an online score report. They will receive an overall test score as well as individual section scores. Students will be able to see which answers they got right or wrong. They will also get information on how to improve their academic skills.
• Who should take the PSAT?
  • Typically, students take the PSAT in 10th and 11th grade. Younger students can also take the test to get a head start on improving skills and knowledge needed for success in college and career.
• How many times may a student take each test?
  • Only once a year, but there is no limit to how many years a student may participate. It is important that 11th grade students take the PSAT to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program.
• How should students prepare for the test?
  • Classroom learning is the basis for test questions, so the best way students can prepare is by taking challenging courses and becoming familiar with the test and its format. Students should review the PSAT Student Guide, along with the practice test, to help them understand all the directions and be familiar with the types of questions that will be asked. In addition, students can go to collegeboard.org/psatpractice for free.
• If students don’t do well on the test, will it hurt their chances of getting into college?
  • Absolutely not. Since it provides personalized information on the skills that a student needs to improve and prepare for college, taking the test can even improve their chances. PSAT scores are not sent to colleges.
• When can we expect to see the results from the PSAT? 
  • Score reports will be made available online in mid-December. Schools will receive paper PSAT reports in January. ​​

• PSAT Prep
  • When students register to take the PSAT, they will be given a PSAT Student Guide. This guide contains information about the PSAT, test-taking advice and tips and an official practice test. More detailed information regarding the test and additional practice questions can be found here.
  • A free PSAT preparation opportunity is offered through Kaplan. Learn more by clicking here.
  • Kaplan also offers PSAT Prep Live-the only FREE, live PSAT prep program available to all students online. Check it out here.

• For a list of the test dates, visit SAT's website and click Register.  

• To view your scores, click here. 

SAT Prep

 

• Private/Commercial SAT Prep
• Kaplan SAT Prep: Kaplan provides a variety of test preparation options along with free, practice tests. Kaplan also offers affordable, cram sessions for the SAT Math and Critical Reading tests; find out more about those by clicking here. Visit www.kaptest.com for more information. 
• College Board SAT Prep

 

Park Hill South will offer the ASVAB test on October 10, 2024.  Please stop by Student Support or email your counselor for more information. 

Local & National Scholarships are now all posted on XELLO!

Steps: 

1. Get your FAFSA ID
   • Download a FAFSA tip sheet (PDF)
   • Download FAFSA best practices (PDF)
2. File your FAFSA (after October 1)
   • Important things to know about FAFSA

The counselors will be hosting FAFSA Frenzy where you and your family can get help filling out the digital forms on Tuesday, December 3rd from 5:30-7:30pm.

 

See the KC Scholars website for information about qualifying and the different programs and scholarships offered. 

What is the Scholarship Initiative Program?  
The Park Hill School District has partnered with several area colleges and universities who have agreed to offer various merit based and need based scholarship to participating Park Hill School district seniors.