OESJ Central School District > Departments > Guidance/Counseling

Guidance/Counseling

Comprehensive Guidance Plan

Learn about our district-wide and building-level comprehensive developmental school counseling/guidance plans. View the K-12 Comprehensive School Counseling Program Plan.

College Information for Seniors and Juniors

Fulton-Montgomery Community College

University HQ’s Best Colleges for 2025

University HQ’s Best Colleges in New York for Associate, Bachelor’s & Master’s

Curriculum Guide and Course Planning for 2024-25

The Curriculum Guide for the school year is linked below. You will be contacted by your guidance counselor to discuss your schedule for next year. If you do not have access to the internet to access the guide, please contact the guidance office to make an alternate arrangement at 518-568-2011 x3190.

College Ready Corner

Helpful College Information

  • FinAid – Links to scholarships, grants, loans, and graduate aid.
  • StudentAid.gov – Information from the U.S. Department of Education on preparing for and funding education beyond high school.
  • College Affordability Guide – This site’s mission is to provide clear, correct info and advice on the many options students have to reduce the cost of their degree, and to offer a fresh analysis of which colleges are doing the most to make high-quality education affordable.

How-To Programs and Books

  • The Scholarship Workshop – Scholarship information from an award-winning author and scholarship winner.
  • The Scholarship Academy – Offers a curriculum to help students identify tailored scholarship options and build a solid scholarship profile.

Search Engines and Scholarship Programs

Available Scholarships for Class of 2025

  • Scholar Snapp – A free, simple to use data standard that allows students to reuse their application information – including contact information, essays, transcripts, etc. – from one scholarship application to another thereby streamlining the college scholarship application process.
  • Scholly – A mobile app that provides students with a fast and simple way to find scholarships for college.
  • Fastweb – Create a profile and let Fastweb do the research on scholarships, internships colleges, and more for you.
  • CashCourse – Information that helps college students stay financially informed.
  • Cappex – A free website where you can learn which colleges want you, before you apply and learn about more than $11 billion in merit aid scholarships.
  • Scholarships.com– A free college scholarship search and financial aid information.
  • Scholarship America – Provides information and resources for your scholarship search.
  • KnowHow2GO – Complete information on college prep, whether in middle school or seniors.
  • HS Finder (Hispanic Scholarship Fund) – Scholarship information for Latino students.
  • Thurgood Marshall College Fund – Provides scholarships, programmatic and capacity building support to the 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
  • Gates Millennium Scholars – Provides outstanding low income African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline they choose.
  • Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund – The nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to providing college scholarships for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).
  • American Indian College Fund – Provides Native American students with scholarships and financial support for the nation’s 33 accredited tribal colleges and universities.
  • Dell Scholars Program – Recognizes academic potential and determination in students that have a definite need for financial assistance.
  • UNCF – Awards 10,000 students each year through 400 scholarship and internship programs so that students from low- and moderate-income families can afford college tuition, books, and room and board.
  • Chegg – A place to connect with scholarships and learn about colleges.
  • Reagan Foundation Scholarships – Scholarship opportunities for outstanding student leaders.
  • Goizueta Legacy Scholarship – Provides scholarships for the children of Coca-Cola employees.
  • American Indian Graduate Center & AIGCS – The largest scholarship provider to Native students in the United States, awarding $15 million in scholarships annually and more than $200 million since inception. For almost 50 years, AIGC has funded students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in any field of study at any accredited institution of choice, working with over 500 tribes in all 50 states.
  • The NSHSS Foundation – The NSHSS Foundation fosters the growth of students pursuing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), business, economics, public policy, and environmental science and sustainability fields. Through special programs, including the NSHSS Honor Society, the NSHSS Foundation connects young scholars with additional opportunities to advance their education, personal growth, and career interests.
  • The College Board Opportunity Scholarships – The program guides juniors and seniors through the college planning process and offers the chance to earn scholarships, from $500 to $40,000, for every action that students complete.

Guidance Office Resources and Information

Below is information from the Guidance Office. If you have any questions please contact a counselor or the guidance secretary at (518) 568-2011.

College acceptance: Seniors are to bring in their college acceptance letters when they are received.

NYS Excelsior Scholarship Information/Application: Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature have enacted the nation’s first tuition-free degree program, the Excelsior Scholarship. The Scholarship is making college possible for hundreds of thousands of students across the state and helping to alleviate the crushing burden of student debt.

Social and Emotional Resources

Below is a list of mental health resources that might assist you in conversations with your child while school is out. Our social workers and guidance counselors are also available during school hours should you need to email them regarding any questions you might have.

The guidance program is available for all students in grades 7-12 to ensure effective participation in their current and future educational programs. The guidance program provides the following services:

  • An annual review of each student’s educational progress and career plans
  • Instruction to help students learn about curriculum options and careers
  • Individual and/or group counseling assistance to help students develop and implement postsecondary education and career plans
  • Individual or group counseling assistance to help students who exhibit any attendance, academic, behavioral, or adjustment problems

Employment of Students

Students under 18 years old who are interested in working papers may pick up applications in the Junior-Senior High School main office. The Guidance office can sometimes offer assistance in finding summer employment since guidance counselors often keep in touch with community employers. Despite the attraction of having a part-time job after school hours, students should give careful consideration to the amount of time and energy an after-school job can demand. Students should remember that school responsibilities always take precedence over such jobs.

Student Organizations

The following list presents current student organizations. If a student is interested in joining any of the activities sponsored by these organizations, he/she should ask the counselor for further information.

  • Computer Club
  • Ski Club
  • Band
  • Chorus
  • Future Farmers of America
  • National & Junior Honor Society
  • Art
  • Technology
  • Yearbook

OESJ National Honor Society

The purpose of the OESJ National Honor Society is to create and promote enthusiasm for scholarship, render service, promote leadership and develop character in the students of OESJ High School.