Hello high school parents,
Each high school has communicated with you recently regarding registration and back-to-business activities that families will complete on-line this year. The on-line registration process will be available through Family Access beginning Monday, August 17.
One of the steps in that process will be the ability to pay fees and fines on-line. In addition to annual costs like ASB cards, yearbooks, and class fees, there will be a new option this year FOR SOPHOMORES and JUNIORS ONLY. This year, the Issaquah School District will be offering the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) exam on a school day, Wednesday, October 14. The exam fee is $13.00 – payable on-line with your other fees during registration.
The PSAT is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT®. It also gives students a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) programs and gain access to college and career planning tools.
Typically, about two-thirds of our District juniors take the PSAT exam which, in the past, has been offered on a Saturday morning. By offering it during the school day, we not only hope to make things more convenient for families, but we have been able to lower the exam fee.
The most common reasons for taking the PSAT are to:
§ Receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
§ See how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
§ Enter the competition for scholarships from NMSC (grade 11).
§ Help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.
§ Receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service
If you have a demonstrated need for financial assistance with the PSAT exam fee, there are scholarships available through the Issaquah Schools Foundation. Please contact your school’s principal if you are in need of financial help with the test fee.
Patrick Murphy
Executive Director of High Schools