Haverhill Public Schools

Haverhill High School Scholarship Portal

*Scholarship Portal for the class of 2026 will be open at the end of January and will close on March 10, 2026- access provided only through Haverhill Public Schools accounts. Graduating members of the Class of 2026 should use portal form to apply to all scholarships that are specific to Haverhill High School which is internal to HHS students. This will be available to students at the end of January 2026. Outside scholarships from other organizations will be posted in the Naviance portal for all students to access. The scholarships are typically awarded at the Night of Stars and/or Graduation. If you are chosen to receive a scholarship, you will receive an invitation to attend the Night of Stars scholarship event which is held at the end of May. Decisions on scholarship recipients will be made by April vacation with invites provided thereafter. There will be other scholarships coming out at a later date that will have their own links and/or essays to complete. Stay tuned! This application has closed.

Components of our school counseling program that is integral to our mission

The work of school counselors is essential to meet all the Commonwealth's goals for preparing more students to be college and career ready. Part of this work includes a partnership with the Massachusetts School Counselors Association (MASCA). Among DESE's goals is to collaborate with MASCA to support and expand the use of the Mass Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs in order to repurpose the role of school counselors and position them as a primary resource to lead students in college and career readiness. This partnership is designed around the Massachusetts Definition of College and Career Readiness.  A counselor’s responsibility to help each student develop their academic, career, personal, and social abilities through a comprehensive developmental guidance program.  A school counselor works in different capacities depending upon their licensure but all counselors work as a team with staff, parents, and the community to create a successful atmosphere for students.

School Guidance Counselors and School Adjustment Counselors collaborate and provide support for all students. Haverhill Public School Counselors are guided by the MASCA Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs, ASCA Model and the MyCAP Plan. Four sets of school counseling standards define the school counseling profession. These standards help school counselors develop, implement and assess their school counseling program to improve student outcomes.

Students can access school (guidance) counselors and/or school adjustment counselors:

• Visit the school counseling office and/or individual counselor's office
• Email the counselor
• Ask a teacher for a pass to the counselor's office
• Utilize the PULSE platform (on the launchpad) 

Guidance Curriculum

• Purpose: This proactive or preventative measure focuses on the developmental needs of students, aiming to equip them with skills for academic, personal, and social success.
• Methods: Taught by the school counselor through classroom instruction.
• Key Topics (including but not limited to):
  • Grade 9-12 Workshops
  • Senior meetings
  • FAFSA workshops
  • Freshman meetings
  • Transition to high school lesson
  • Applications for high school lesson
  • CTE MyCap
  • Roadshow, Grade 8 Tours
  • Course selection
  • Grade 5-12 Naviance lessons
  • Career awareness
  • SEL
  • Peer relationship
  • Paths- Elementary
  • Problem-solving
  • Conflict resolution
• Framework: Based on national standards and state models which outline competencies and desired learning outcomes to ensure accountability and alignment with student needs. *Refer to curriculum maps / scope & sequence of curriculum

Responsive Services

• Purpose: This area addresses immediate, short-term needs and helps students navigate challenges in their personal, social, or academic lives.
• Methods:
  • Individual Counseling: One-on-one support to address specific issues.
  • Small Group Counseling: Provided based on referrals (teacher, parent, staff, or student self-referral).
  • Project AMP
  • NFI/Outside Organization Counseling and partnerships
  • Consultation and Referral: Counselors consult with parents, teachers, and staff, and may refer students to external support services or community resources.
  • Youth Wellness Coach (HHS, Nettle)
  • Substance Use Counselor (HHS)
  • Screening: SBIRT (Grades 7 &10)/ Collaboration with Mass General Optimization SBIRT study
  • Survey implementation- Attitudes & Behavior (Grade 7 & 8), Substance Use Risk Factors (SURF) 9-12
  • Pulse- student emotion check (weekly)
• Focus: The goal is to provide timely, individualized support to address students' immediate emotional or psychological needs.

Individual Planning System

• Purpose: Helps students with long-term academic, career, and personal goal setting, as well as self-assessment.
• Methods:
  • Supports students in making informed decisions about their educational path. (Including SAT/PSAT test taking at HHS)
  • Involves self-awareness and reflection on strengths, weaknesses, interests, and skills (Naviance)
  • Guides students in creating plans for academic success, career aspirations, and future educational goals (Naviance student planner, CTE options, Internships)

System Support

• Purpose: Supports the broader school community, including staff, parents, and the community, in creating an environment that promotes student success.
• Methods:
  • Consultation: Counselors work with school staff and parents to enhance program effectiveness and ensure it aligns with students’ needs.
  • Coordination: Counselors may coordinate resources or services to ensure a holistic approach to student support. (504, IEP, Mental Health referrals)
  • Professional Development: Counselors also engage in professional growth to stay current with best practices in student counseling.

My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP Model)

My Career and Academic Plan is a comprehensive framework designed to help students become active participants in their own postsecondary planning and success. By focusing on individual interests, skills, and talents, MyCAP empowers students to connect their education directly to their future career goals. Ultimately, MyCAP offers students a structured yet flexible pathway to achieving their educational and career goals, empowering them to take ownership of their future while being well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

As Haverhill Public School develops its own Vision of a Haverhill Graduate, it will align with the Massachusetts vision to emphasize real-world skills and core competencies that will prepare students for whatever career path they choose.

Massachusetts graduates will be: 

Thinkers 

• Academically Prepared: Graduates have a strong foundation across academic disciplines, equipping them with both the knowledge to thrive in college, career, and civic life and the skills to be lifelong learners.
• Critical Problem-Solvers: Graduates critically examine information to draw connections, question assumptions, infer meaning, and shape solutions.

Contributors 

• Self-Aware Navigators: Graduates understand themselves, their strengths, and their opportunities and can effectively leverage their unique skills to navigate a variety of paths and environments.
• Intentional Collaborators: Graduates engage respectfully and productively with diverse individuals and groups, recognizing the value of their unique perspectives, identities and experiences as well as those of others.

Leaders 

• Effective Communicators: Graduates confidently and clearly express their ideas to diverse audiences across a variety of mediums.
• Responsible Decision-Makers: Graduates can set and pursue personal goals, make healthy and financially sustainable choices, and demonstrate confidence and competence in shaping their lives.