Counseling FAQ
Following are answers to students' frequently-asked questions:
Is community service a graduation requirement?
No; however, we encourage all students to make a commitment to their community. There are a wide variety of sites available so that you can match your interest and reap the benefits of serving your community. Students have the opportunity to receive career exposure, job training, personal development and interaction in the world beyond school. Students may earn one elective credit for 100 hours of community service. See your school counselor for more details.
Are there other ways to earn high school credits?
Students may earn high school credits by taking courses through Virtual High School, participating in Applied Music and through community service.
How can I earn college credit at TZHS?
Students may earn college credit in high school in a variety of ways. Students who take Advanced Placement courses and score a level 3 or higher on the examination may earn college credit for that course. Please review information posted on the College Board website. Every college has its own rules about accepting Advanced Placement test results for credit as well as the minimum score required on the test to earn it. We also have relationships with a number of universities where students may earn college credit and high school credit at the same time. Click on College-Level Courses in the Curriculum Guide for details.
Where can I find information about playing sports in college?
Student-athletes who plan to continue competing after high school may do so at the intramural, club or inter-collegiate level. Students interested in competing at the intercollegiate level should visit NCAA Eligibility Center for detailed information. Prospective athletes who wish to play Division I or II athletics must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Students interested in playing a sport in college must inform their school counselor as early as possible. The school counselor plays a vital role in ensuring that student-athletes take the proper coursework required for NCAA academic eligibility.
What is a transcript?
A transcript is a document which indicates every high school credit bearing course a student has taken as well as the final grade for each course. The weighted cumulative average is also reflected on the transcript. The transcript is required for almost all college applications and is generally considered the most important facet of a college application. Additionally, when an employer, educational institution, the armed forces, scholarship agencies, or social service agencies request the record of a student, a transcript is forwarded.
How does Tappan Zee High School approach class ranking?
We do not rank our students, with the exception of designating a valedictorian and salutatorian based on the highest cumulative weighted averages. If a scholarship application requires a precise class rank, school counselors will provide the information so as not to preclude a student from being a scholarship candidate. Students simply need to make an appointment with their school counselor and bring the scholarship application to the appointment.