Alumni Transcript request form  

Graduation Credit Requirements:

*This requirement can be waived if the student demonstrates proficiency in at least two languages.

Graduation Requirement Worksheet

Required Electives:

• Health (0.5 credit)
• Physical Education (0.5 credit)
  • Can be waived if student has participated in a school sport every year of high school
• Music (0.5 credit)

Recommendations:

• 4 years of Science and Social Science for college prep

Our Lady of the Lakes graduation requirements are aligned with the Michigan Merit Curriculum.  MME Requirements can be found here.

High School Grading Policies

ACT/SAT

It is recommended for juniors to take both the ACT and the SAT.  The tests are very different and students may score better on one vs. the other.  Both tests are accepted by colleges for admission purposes. The Our Lady of the Lakes school code when registering for ACT & SAT is 233-698.

ACT: Registration information and national test dates can be found here.

SAT: Registration information and national test dates can be found here.

PSAT

In mid April, we provide practice SAT testing to students in 8th through 10th grades.

PSAT 8/9 is given to all 9th graders and is offered to all 8th graders. All sophomores take PSAT 10. These tests cover math, reading, language, and writing. The following link will take you to CollegeBoard for more information.

Advanced Placement (AP) Testing

Advanced Placement offers students at OLL the opportunity to take college-level courses and exams. These courses allow students to potentially earn college credit, fulfill prerequisites for the first year in college, and give themselves an edge in the college admissions process. More information can be found here.

AP exam fee is $100 per test, to be paid in cash or check (written to Our Lady of the Lakes). AP exams are required for anyone taking an AP level course.

Test Prep

Princeton Review (SAT/ACT/AP/PSAT) 
Khan Academy (SAT/PSAT) 
ACT 
Kaplan Test Prep (SAT/ACT/AP/PSAT)

Our Lady of the Lakes also offers an ACT/SAT Workshop semester long class to Juniors.

Freshman Year:

• Stay on top of your grades. Most colleges look at all four years.
• Join clubs and activities in your areas of interest. Try new things!
• Start building relationships with your teachers and counselor, they will be writing your letters of recommendation.
• Start researching different careers and colleges. Use the Mapping the Road to College to use your NWEA MAP Test scores to help see if you are on track for attending those colleges you are interested in.
• Summer enrichment is a great way to experience new things and add to your high school accomplishments. There are many programs lasting from an afternoon to the entire summer.

Sophomore Year:

• Start an activities/awards file. Most college applications will ask what you have been involved in, what awards you have received, what volunteer experience you have, etc. It will be hard to remember as a senior, start your file now and update as needed.
• Begin talking to your family and school counselor about colleges and career paths you may  be interested in.
• Look into summer enrichment programs at local colleges. Many let you experience college life for a few weeks learning with peers who have similar interests.

Junior Year:

• Take the most challenging courses you can handle. Colleges look at what is available and what you are taking when making acceptance decisions. AP’s will always be favorable to colleges and universities.
• We recommend taking both the SAT and the ACT this year. Attend a prep workshop if possible.
• Visit colleges that interest you on breaks and long weekends. If possible, while their classes are still in session to get the full effect of that campus in action.
• Go to college fairs and visits, you will be receiving information from the counselor as these are available.
• If you plan to play college sports, begin the application process now. Register here with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
• Think about what teachers you would like to have letters of recommendation from. Try to get a verbal confirmation from them before the end of the school year.

Senior Year:

• Keep your grades up! Even if the beginning of high school was hard for you, colleges look for an upward trend in grades.
• The counselor will be checking that you have all of the required credits to graduate, you should be keeping track too. Make an appointment if you are not sure.
• Continue college visits, check their websites for guided tours and informational meetings.
• Aim for getting three letters of recommendation from teachers/administrators/counselor. Ask them, nicely, to prepare letters for you. Provide them with a copy of your activities/awards so that they may include some of these things in your letter or college applications. Don’t forget to write them a thank you note!
• Attend college fairs! Speak to the representatives of schools you are interested in about degrees, scholarships, deadlines, campus life, etc.
• Apply! Many schools have deadlines in November and December, especially for scholarship opportunities. Request transcripts be sent to those schools through Common App or Parchment.
• File your FAFSA online. Applications open in October each year.
• Search and apply for scholarships.
• Consider retaking the SAT , ACT, or both depending on what your school of choice requires.
• Most colleges require both a mid-year transcript as well as a final senior year transcript. DO NOT catch senioritis! Colleges can take back offers if they see academic performance is slipping.

Graduation Credit Requirements:

Please see our Middle School Course Descriptions for full list of electives offered.

Check out the following websites for great scholarship opportunities:

Chegg
College Board’s Scholarship Search
Fastweb
GoodCall
ScholarshipPoints
Scholarships.com
StudentScholarships.org
Supercollege.com
Unigo Scholarship Experts

Keep an eye on the Laker Bulletin and your email for new and Our Lady of the Lakes exclusive scholarship opportunities.

Participation in summer enrichment opportunities can benefit students in a variety of ways. The particular benefits vary depending on the type of program or experience. Examples of academic, social, and personal benefits may include:

Academic

• Studying topics of interest at an in-depth level
• Exploring potential college majors, fields of study, and careers
• Working with experts in a field (i.e. professors, professionals)
• Continuing the learning momentum from the academic school year
• Learning about topics that extend beyond the school curriculum
• Engaging in academic experiences at the college level
• Increasing academic motivation and goals
• Participating in hands-on and practical academic activities
• Learning in a safe and structured atmosphere
• Becoming familiar with a new learning environment

Social

• Engaging in high-level discourse with other motivated students
• Meeting students from different schools, regions, states, and countries
• Developing lasting friendships with peers who share similar interests
• Previewing the college experience (i.e. dorms, cafeteria, campus activities)
• Discussing areas of interest in an in-depth manner with other participants
• Learning in a collaborative and cooperative environment
• Enhancing interpersonal skills through activities such as simulations, group projects, and cooperative learning

Personal

• Enhancing self-confidence through accomplishing goals
• Gaining new perspectives and ideas about society
• Enhancing intrapersonal skills
• Discovering personal characteristics and qualities
• Developing an increased sense of self

College for Creative Studies Precollege Summer Experience
Programs offered for ages 8-18.

Kettering University Precollege Summer Programs
Day camps available for grades 1-12, residential programs available to grades 9-12.

Lawrence Technological University
Camps are available for those incoming to grades 10-12.

Macomb Community College Youth Programs
Programs available for grades K-12. Career Academies for ages 14 and up.

Michigan State University Spartan Youth Programs
Variety of programs offered for PK-12.

Michigan Technological University Summer Youth Programs
Programs available for students who have completed grades 6-11.

Oakland University
Most open to grades 7-12, see individual programs for more information. Writing camps also available for grades K-8, reading clinics available for grades 1-12.

Roeper School Summer Stock Theatre
Open to grades PK-12.

Schoolcraft College Kids on Campus
Classes available for preschool- grade 12. Academic Skills Workshop also available for grades 6-12.

University of Michigan Summer Discovery
Open to students completing grades 9-12.

University of Michigan Center for Educational Outreach
Open to students in grades 3-12, individual programs vary.