Hornell City School District > Junior-Senior High School > Guidance Office

Guidance Office

Philosophy of the Counseling Department

The philosophy of the Counseling Department at Hornell High School is to assist each student in the development of the skills and knowledge necessary to make wise decisions regarding course selection, career planning and college choices.  We also encourage each student to deal effectively with personal issues and concerns.  By advocating the development of these abilities we help equip our students with the tools necessary to leave Hornell High School and lead productive lives in our ever-changing world.

Academically, students are expected to make course selections that are consistent with their ability and challenging to their development.  Our counselors help students develop a four-year plan of study, plan their yearly academic program through careful individual course selections, discuss college or other post-high school plans, provide information about available scholarships to those who are eligible, and monitor the student’s progress in his/her courses.  When personal issues or problems beyond the norm impact a student’s school life, personal counseling is available.  The counselors also recognize the important link between home and school and welcome the opportunity to meet with parents to discuss pertinent information and issues regarding specific academic and personal needs of the students. As students leave Hornell High School, we expect they will use the experiences and skills learned here to make responsible decisions that will launch them into a productive and fulfilling adult life.

Counseling Department Hours | Naviance | Grading Policy and Curriculum | BOCES Wildwood Educational Center | AP/ACE Dual Enrollment Offerings | Summer School | Graduation Requirements | Summer Youth Employment | College and Career Counseling Services | Student Records Requests

Counseling Department Hours

Open Monday – Friday 7:55 a.m.-3:12 p.m. when school is in session. Counseling staff will be available to respond to emails and phones during the above time. If you leave a message or email after hours, counseling staff will not be available to respond until the next school day. If you are having a mental health emergency, please call your primary care physician or proceed to the emergency room.

Mental Health Counseling Resources

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Naviance

Each Hornell High School student has been issued a Naviance account with a user ID and password. 

This college and career readiness program allows students to take interest inventories, research colleges and careers, and much more. Students will utilize this program through their educational course work and post-secondary planning.

Get started here! 

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Grading Policy and Curriculum

The Hornell High School uses a 100 point grading scale with 65 as the minimum grade to pass a course. All subjects are used to determine cumulative grade point average on an unweighted basis. This is the figure used on a student’s transcript and for student college applications. Students are required to earn a minimum of 22 credits to graduate.

Academically, the Hornell High School operates on a 9 period day, allowing students to take a maximum course load of 7.5 credits.

Learn more about:

  • Grading policy
  • Dropping or adding courses
  • Independent study  
  • Credits by examination

The HHS Course Catalog can be found in the Academic section. 

Credits and Promotional Requirements

  • Freshman: Completion of 8th grade
  • Sophomore: 5.5 Credits
  • Junior: 11.0 Credits
  • Senior: Eligible to graduate in June of that school year

* Please note the required credits in each category are minimums.

Any exceptions to the grade level requirements listed above must be approved by the principal.

Honor Roll

Each marking period student averages are calculated to determine eligibility for Honor Roll and High Honor Roll status. Students with an 85 or higher average earn Honor Roll designation. Students with a 90 or higher average earn High Honor Roll designation. Students with incompletes, no grades, or failed grades cannot be considered for Honor Roll. Students taking AP or college-level courses and earning an 85 or higher average earn Advanced High Honor Roll status.

Academic and Presidential Awards

For the first 3 marking periods, student averages are calculated to determine eligibility for academic awards. Students with an average of 90 or higher each marking period are eligible to earn an academic award. Presidential Awards are given to 8th and 12th grade students. The silver award is given to students who accumulate an average of 85 or higher and the gold award is given to students who accumulate an average of 90 or higher. For 8th grade students, the average of all 7th grade marking periods and their first 3 marking periods of 8th grade are considered. For 12th grade students, the average of all 7th – 11th grade marking periods and the first 3 marking periods of 12th grade are considered. The academic award ceremony is typically held in May.

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BOCES Wildwood Educational Center

Students interested in vocational education may visit the BOCES Wildwood Campus to explore program offerings.  Visitations are offered in the fall of sophomore year and/or individually on an as-needed basis.  The Guidance Office schedules all visitations.

AP/ACE Dual Enrollment Offerings

The Hornell High School collaborates with SUNY Alfred State, Alfred University, SUNY Corning Community College, and the College Board to offer dual enrollment courses. Learn more about the AP/ACE Dual Enrollment Offerings at Hornell.

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Summer School

The summer school grade will be averaged with the school year course and Regents Exam using the formula below. The highest Regents Exam score will be computed into the student’s school course average.

School Course Average (1/3) + Summer School average (2/3)

The building administration may alter or amend these guidelines in the event of extenuating circumstances. Each situation will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, students will not be considered for driver’s education in summer school if they are eligible to take any academic course for credit recovery, even if this might fit into a student’s summer school schedule.  This is due to the limited number of driver education spots.

Graduation Requirements

The minimum graduation requirements as outlined by the New York State Board of Regents. Students must earn a minimum of 22 units of credit, including two credits in physical education, to receive either a Regents or an Advanced Regents Diploma.

Class Ranking

Final ranking is completed at the end of the first semester of the twelfth grade year. Courses used for ranking are: English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science and Second Language. Weighting given to courses within these subject areas are provided below:

Course Level

Weighting

AP, ACE, & College Level Courses****

1.10 x final grade in the course

4th year level courses and English 10 Honors*

1.07 x final grade in the course

Regents courses ending in Regents exam

1.05 x final grade in the course

Regents courses without exams**

1.03 x final grade in the course

Non-Regents courses ***

1.00 x final grade in the course

* Examples of courses offered in this area are: Physics

** Examples of courses offered in this area are: Eng. 9, Global Studies I, Algebra IA, Span. I

*** Examples of courses offered in this area are: Business Math, Forensics

**** AP, ACE & College level courses included in rank are as follows: AP Lang, AP Lit, AP US History, AP Chem, ACE Bio, AP Physics, College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calc AB, ACE Business Math, ACE Accounting, ACE Spanish and AP Psychology

Graduation Distinctions

Salutatorian and Valedictorian

A student must be enrolled as a full-time student (6.5 academic periods a day) at Hornell High School in order to be considered valedictorian or salutatorian of his/her graduating class with four consecutive semesters prior to the determination of a class’s rank order. Students wishing to graduate early must declare their intention to do so, in writing, no later than the end of the first semester of their sophomore year. Students declaring their intentions at this time are eligible to be considered as valedictorian or salutatorian, an honor graduate, and placed in the class’s rank order in the year they graduate.

Honor Graduate

Hornell High School Honor Graduate status is awarded to those students that not only challenge themselves by taking the most rigorous courses offered, but also excel at the mastery level. New requirements for this distinction have been approved for the 2014-2015 school year and each year thereafter. Below are the new requirements:

Honor Graduate Requirements
  • Student has a weighted rank average of 90%
  • Student has mastered three Regents exams (85% of higher)
  • Student has taken two 3rd-year level courses* (ex: Algebra II, Chemistry)
  • Student is on track to earn 25 credits by graduation (22 if graduating early)

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Summer Youth Employment

The ProAction Summer Youth Employment program is available to youth between the ages of 14-20 to provide a summer work experience at various work sites throughout Steuben County. Find out how to apply here!

College and Career Counseling Services

The Hornell High School Guidance Office offers numerous services to help students make responsible decisions regarding college and career choices. While the services offered most directly affect Juniors and Seniors, the services are open to all HHS students.  In addition to the following list of services, counselors are available to assist all interested students and parents with the college selection and the application process.  Parents may make an appointment with their student’s counselor to discuss any other pertinent issues that may arise during this important process.

Planning for College

Getting started early on your college search will help you get through the application process in a timely manner. View resources for college planning!

If you need help with your college applications, questions about your next step, or need other assistance, please set up a meeting with your guidance counselor.

PSAT and SAT

While there are many standardized tests offered to students at HHS, two of the most important for college-bound students are the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The PSAT is offered to college-bound juniors who have pre-registered in the spring of their sophomore year. As a regional testing center, the SAT test is offered at Hornell on selected Saturdays in October, December and May.

Students should register on-line on the College Board website. Fee waivers are available to eligible students.

Military Recruiters

Each branch of the Armed Services sends representatives to Hornell Senior High School to speak with students interested in prospective military opportunities and careers throughout the school year.

Student Records Requests

The school’s Guidance Office is the center for all academic records.  Students or alumni wishing to have records forwarded to colleges or employers must do so through this office.  Requests can be made through the Guidance Office by mail, phone, or in person, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Please provide suitable processing time for this request. (summer hours are limited.)

To request student’s records, please complete this form. 

Please note, immunization records are only kept until the former student has attained the age of 26 years old. Transcripts are retained permanently in our records.

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