MEFA Pathway
MEFA Pathway provides resources designed to help students in achieving their college and career goals.
FREE Summer Session III BCC Courses offered to
WRHS Class of 2026 & WRHS Class of 2027
HIS 122 - World History since 1500
LAR 101 - Introduction to Liberal Arts
MUS 110 - American Popular Music
PSY 107 - Introductory Psychology
- Rising high school junior or senior
- Recently graduated senior (2025)
- Currently enrolled or recently graduated from a public or charter secondary school in the Berkshires or a Berkshire County resident pursuing secondary education (i.e. home schooling or virtual schooling)
- A minimum 2.0 high school cumulative GPA
- Submit the form (attached) and send the completed form to bridgetocollege@berkshirecc.
edu - Submit an official or unofficial high school transcript from the School Counselor or High School tobridgetocollege@berkshirecc.
edu
COM 104 - 11 seats available
ECO 212 - 20 seats available
- ENG 101 - 15 seats available
HIS 122 - 3 seats available
LAR 101 - 14 seats available
MUS 110 - 16 seats available
PSY 107 - 5 seats available
1350 West Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
MassHire YouthWorks programming
Berkshire MassHire Youth Works program information can be found here: https://www.masshireberkshirecc.com/youth/youth-programs/
You can reach out to Mrs. Grady at cgrady@cbrsd.org and Mrs. Kelly Groves-Skrocki, Youth Program Coordinator at kskrocki@masshireberkshirecc.com for further information.
New Hampshire Teen Institute Program
The New Hampshire Teen Institute Program is a signature Summer Leadership Program is a dynamic residential week of leadership development, self-discovery, and social connection. SLP brings up to 100 diverse high school students from across NH and New England together through experiential workshops designed as catalysts for personal values exploration and increased school and civic engagement. Throughout the week, participants also increase their knowledge on a variety of topics including substance misuse and substance use disorders, bullying, sexual health, conflict resolution, and health and wellness. The program connects participants with their local peers and school and community action organizations so they can channel this new energy toward the betterment of their home communities.
Pricing
NH Teen Institute’s pricing for this program is based on current grants and camp costs. The 2025 cost is $950/student, for the week of residential training, all lodging, meals, materials, and a program T-shirt. Thanks to the generous support from NH BDAS, private foundations, and individual donors, tuition assistance may be available. There is a link at the end of the registration form for those interested in a scholarship
You can find additional information about this program via this link:
https://www.nhteeninstitute.org/slp
AI and Social Science Summer Program by Stanford Alumni open to students grades 5-12:
Inspirit AI is a 25-hour project-based AI program taught by Stanford graduates that introduces middle and high school students to fundamental AI concepts to build interdisciplinary AI projects across disciplines. In 2024, the team is excited to announce new projects such as Generating Language Safely with ChatGPT. No CS experience is necessary to apply and priority applicatoins are due soon. The program fee is $1200, which includes 25 hours of live instruction & project mentorship from our team of Stanford, MIT, and top university graduates. Financial aid awards are available: students can request an aid application when they apply to the Inspirit program.
Lexicon Ambassadors Program offered
We are a one of a kind, unique program catering to future changemakers composed of International Experts in the Field and U.S. based Faculty Mentors.
We are dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals while learning the skills necessary to become the next generation leaders.
The leadership curriculum improves young people’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes while providing them with a broad perspective of the world, including Human Rights, Climate Action, Gender Equality, Peace, and Sustainable Development. Furthermore, we are strengthening social and emotional skills, communication and interpersonal skills, creativity and innovation toward sustainable solutions, and leadership skills through our activities, tasks, and lectures.
As a Lexicon Ambassador, you’ll work directly with a mentor in the country in which your project is being implemented, tackling a real-world problem with the goal of making a meaningful difference in the world in which we live. This program is designed to help young people develop the skills necessary to be bold and visionary leaders in developing solutions that will make our communities more sustainable and peaceful.
At the conclusion of the United Nations based leadership course, you will receive an additional letter of evaluation from your leadership track mentor. All courses and tracks are taught by established faculty mentors who are available to help you successfully navigate the difficult transition between academics and the real world. Our goal is to help you prepare for a bright future as a future leader and change maker.
Pre-College @ UMass Amherst
Summer Pre-College programs at UMass Amherst are residential and online academic programs for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. With courses taught by UMass faculty and graduate students, award-winning dining, modern residence halls, and fun co-curriculars, our programs offer hands-on experience in college coursework and college life.
Programs are available in 25+ topics, ranging from Anthropology to Veterinary & Animal Sciences and everything inbetween. Whether you're looking for hands-on lab sciences, computer programming, business, or architecture & design, UMass has a pre-college program to fit your interests.
Visit our website to learn more and check out the full list of programs for Summer 2025.
Pre-College STEM Program at Brown University
If your idea of summer fun is a deep-dive into the STEM fields, join other rising 9th and 10th grade students who are as passionate about advancing their knowledge of the STEM disciplines as you are for two weeks of hands-on team research projects, experiments and design-build challenges.
You’ll choose from a range of interesting and engaging courses in the STEM disciplines. Each course combines rigorous academic content, laboratory or field exercises and a research project or design challenge that serves as a focus for academic work. You may also have the opportunity to engage with Brown graduate students and learn about graduate-level research projects. To complete the STEM experience, you’ll give a final presentation that showcases your project for your peers, families and instructors. You will experience the satisfaction of advanced academics and indulge your love of learning, without the pressure of formal grades.
Additional information can be found here: https://precollege.brown.edu/stem-rising?utm_source=MarketingCloud&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=24_InfoSession_STEM910_021524&utm_content=STEM+for+Rising+9th+and+10th+Graders+program
Summer Session at Yale University
Experience everything that makes Yale unique: Small seminars with top Yale faculty. Time to immerse yourself in a full menu of academic opportunities.
More information about the application process for pre-college students.
Online Pre-College Courses at the University of Rochester
Explore your interests before college
If you have a passion for certain subjects and would like to explore them before college, here is your chance to do so—with one of the world's leading research universities. The Rochester Pre-College Online Program offers courses designed for high school students ages 13 and up. Each course features engaging video by Rochester faculty and access to mentors. The program is available year-round, and the online format lets you study anywhere, anytime, at your own pace. This flexibility allows students to take multiple courses and discover a variety of academic areas of interest.
More information can be found here: https://rochesteronline.precollegeprograms.org/
Local Laborer's Union just released their 2025 Apprentice Application dates
J.H.Maxymillian, Inc. is always looking for Union Apprentices, as well as experienced Union Laborers and Operators, to join our team. Please refer any interested and qualified applicants to us, and we would be happy to assist them with the Apprentice application process. JHM is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Scholarships
Seniors can access many regional and national scholarships through Naviance. Once logged in click Colleges>Scholarships & Money>Scholarship Search to access.
Scholarships added:
- Wednesday, Aug. 20, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the BCC Susan B. Anthony Lounge
Click here to register!
A new program titled MassEducate has been initiated by Governer Maura Healey and the Massachusetts Association for Community Colleges that allow Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree to attend any of the state's 15 community colleges and pay no tuition or fees. Both programs include an allowance for books and supplies for certain students.
To be eligible, students must:
1. Complete the Free Applicatoin for Student Aid (FAFSA)
2. Apply to your local community college and enroll in an approved program of study. Applications are open all year long and there is never an application fee.
3. Have physically resided in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of your first enrolled term.
4. Have earned a high school diploma or equivalent.
5. Are enrolled in at least six credits (usually two classes) per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.
6. Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the college's requirements.
2025-26 Course Registration Information
|
- Counselors will soon be going into your English classes to explain the course options available to you as it pertains to your grade level.
- Teachers will upload recommendations for students into PowerSchool.
- On Mon. Feb. 3rd, we will be holding an Electives Fair during all lunches so you can learn about the many elective courses available to you.
- On Wed. Feb. 5th, we will be holding “Advising Day” where you will discuss course options for next year with your current teachers and sign up for your classes.
- You will select your courses (based on teacher recommendations) via a portal in PowerSchool.
You might be interested in checking out the 2025-26 Program of Studies which contains course descriptions for all of the courses offered. You can do so by checking the Wahconah Weekly Update you received from Mr. Robb yesterday.
- If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your guidance counselor.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Upcoming 2025-26 SAT Dates
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FAFSA 2025-2026 update | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
August 7, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Education (Department) today announced that the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA® form) will be launched through a new process. Starting on October 1, the Department will release the 2025-26 FAFSA form for testing with a limited set of students and institutions. The Department will make the application available to all students on or before December 1. This process is informed by conversations and feedback from thousands of students, institutions, and other stakeholders. It is recommended by Colleges and Universities that Seniors and their families intending to attend College in the Fall complete it as soon as possible at fafsa.gov Understanding Financial Aid Offers Get the answers to common questions about financial aid offers, such as if loans are part of financial aid, if your financial aid will stay the same every year, and how to compare costs from different schools. |
Recommended Financial Aid Video
Below is a good video link explaining the changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA in simple terms
Title: 10 Important Changes To The Fafsa Form This Year
https://youtu.be/D0bK4iKkEUM?si=OY5hDr7hZGWQ2Yk5
MEFA Presents Webinars- Financial Aid 101
This webinar will provide information and clarity on the entire college financial aid application process. You'll learn about financial aid applications and types of financial aid, the factors that determine your aid eligibility, how colleges determine the amount of aid to offer, and the details of financial aid offers. Live transcription will be available.
The same content is covered in each of the webinars below. Watch a recorded webinar in Spanish.
Multiple dates can be accessed by clicking here: https://www.mefa.org/events/financial-aid-101
Financial Aid - Create an FSA ID
If you plan to submit the FAFSA to apply for college financial aid, you’ll need to create an FSA ID first, which allows you to begin the FAFSA process. And you need to create your FSA ID at least a few days before you start the FAFSA, so now’s a great time to check that step off your list. Join us for this webinar where we walk through the process of creating an FSA ID, explain who needs to create one, and discuss other things to know before completing the FAFSA.
https://youtu.be/ziaXYHe5864?si=w2ZU1sR_G9ehHEnz
Financial Aid Process
You can find excellent Financial Aid resource videos from the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority regarding the financial aid process and details regarding financial aid forms that you will be asked to complete via the link below.
Below is a link to an update regarding the FAFSA
https://www.mefa.org/fafsa-simplification-updates-resources
Raise Me Scholarships
RaiseMe partners with universities to offer students scholarships for their
achievements during high school and college. WRHS students grades 9-12 can
access this website to participate via this link. https://www.raise.me/how-it-works
|
College search resource: College Scorecard
Search and compare colleges: their fields of study, costs, admissions, results, and more.
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
SAT Update Seniors: Registration is now open for the spring 2024 SAT® administrations. An announcement will also be sent to Seniors with existing College Board accounts. Wahconah Seniors interested in taking the SAT can sign up via this link: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration
SAT's go digital with shorter test-taking time for 2024 - article below https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/sats-go-digital-with-shorter-test-taking-time-for-2024/ SAT Practice SAT practice resourses can be found here to ensure they feel confident and prepared to do their very best on test day: practice information CGN College/Career Library The College Guidance Network provides an excellent library of resources through a video library to help students and families obtain information about their College & Career search. You can find it here via this link:
|
