Welcome to the PRHS Guidance Department
Important Information
- Announcements
- Program of Studies
- School Profile
- Scholarships and Financial Aid
- College Planning and Naviance
- Alumni Transcript Information
- Mental Health and Community Resources
- Community Service and Volunteering
- Working Papers
Announcements
New Graduation Requirement of Class of 2025 through Class of 2027
For PRHS graduating classes of 2025 through 2027, each graduating high school senior is required by law, as part of New Jersey’s new graduation requirement P.L. 2023, c.295, to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application (NJAFAA) in order to receive a diploma.
The FAFSA gives students access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or vocational school. Through completing the FAFSA, students can be considered for federal financial aid, including Pell grants, work-study programs, and loans. In addition, many states and colleges, as well as some private financial aid providers, use FAFSA information to determine students’ eligibility for aid.
The FAFSA is an opportunity to have access to the resources that are needed to consider and enter postsecondary education – whether it be 2-year, 4-year, or technical school. In addition, students who are NJ residents but do not meet the requirements for FAFSA, may consider the NJAFAA as an option. The NJAFAA enables students to receive state financial assistance to support their post-secondary college and career goals.
If you do not qualify for the FAFSA/the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application or you wish to request that your student be waived from this graduation requirement, parents/guardians should complete the FAFSA/NJAFAA Waiver Form. The form must be submitted to the Guidance Office by May 1st of your student’s senior year.
FAFSA completion benefits ALL students:
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid provides more than $120 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds each year to help pay for college or career school. Visit StudentAid.gov today to learn how to pay for your higher education. The FAFSA must be completed to apply for grants, loans, and work-study. All financial information is kept confidential. Many students are eligible to receive financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college or career school. Age, race, or field of study will not affect eligibility for federal student aid.
Many college/university websites and fafsa.gov provide a financial aid estimator to estimate how much financial assistance students may receive. Financial need increases with college cost and some colleges can cost more than $65,000 a year. Many of these colleges, state agencies, and scholarship foundations require the FAFSA to award scholarships and grants to middle- and upper-middle-class students attending expensive schools. The most generous private colleges, for example, award need-based aid to some students from families earning more than $200,000 a year. FAFSA is a prerequisite for Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Grad PLUS Loans, and Parent PLUS. These loans are available without regard to demonstrated financial need and have lower interest rates than private loans.
NJAFAA may be an option for some students:
Complete the NJAFAA application if you are not a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen and meet all of the following criteria:
- Attended a New Jersey high school for at least three (3) years
- Graduated from a New Jersey high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in New Jersey
- Registered for Selective Service (male students only)
- Are able to file an affidavit stating that you have filed an application to legalize your immigration status or will file an application as soon as you are eligible to do so
Important Links:
General FAFSA information: https://studentaid.gov/
FAFSA filing and eligibility requirements: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/ requirements
FAFSA Application: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
NJAFAA Application: https://www.hesaa.org/Pages/NJAlternativeApplication.aspx
Higher Education Student Assistance Authority: https://www.hesaa.org
If you do not qualify for the FAFSA/the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application or you wish to request that your student be waived from this graduation requirement, parents/guardians should complete the FAFSA/NJAFAA Waiver Form. The form must be submitted to the Guidance Office by May 1st of your student’s senior year.
Program of Studies
School Profile
Scholarships and Financial Aid
College Planning and Naviance
College and career readiness solution that helps align student strengths and interests to postsecondary goals, improving students outcomes and connecting learning to life.
College Admissions Google Folder
Helpful college planning resources for students and parents.
How to be a Good College Parent
Testing
Information you need regarding SAT test, dates, scores, fee, etc.
Free SAT test prep from CollegeBoard and Khan Academy
The ACT is the leading US college admissions test measuring what you learn in high school to determine your academic readiness for college.
Free test prep provided by ACT Academy and Kaplan
College Visits
NCAA Information
If you want to compete in NCAA Sports at a Division I school, you need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to make sure you stay on track to meet initial-eligibility standards. If you have questions about your eligibility or the registration process, call toll free at 1-877-262-1492. International students should call 317-917-6222.
As of January 2023, standardized test scores are not required for all student-athletes who initially enroll full time on or after August 1, 2023.
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Option 1:FREE PROFILE PAGE ACCOUNTA free Profile Page account is the right account if you are a college-bound student-athlete who is:Option 3:ACADEMIC AND AMATEURISM CERTIFICATION ACCOUNTOur most common account for future NCAA student-athletes, an Academic and Amateurism Certification account is the right account for college-bound student-athletes who are planning to:
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In high school and staying connected to receive the most current information from the NCAA Eligibility Center.
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In middle school or earlier and wanting to learn more about college athletics.
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Still deciding which NCAA division is right for you.
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Planning to compete at an NCAA Division III school and have only attended a U.S. high school.
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Registering to play at an NCAA-certified nonscholastic basketball event (BBCS, ECAG, AAU).
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Compete at an NCAA Division I or II school.
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Take an official visit.
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Sign a National Letter of Intent.
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Career Planning
This web site offers much information about school to careers, Groundhog Shadow Day, vocational training, occupational programs, and computer networking.
Information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities and interested associated with occupations.
Online Career Info: Self-Assessment, Exploring Options, Job Search Preparation
Take the Keirsey Personal Character and Temperament Sorter questionnaire.
Personality, Intelligence and Health-Related Tests and Trivia Quizzes
Alumni Transcript Information
Alumni Transcript Release Form
A completed form(s) and Photo ID copy can be submitted via mail, email or fax:
Mailed to Park Ridge High School – Attn: Guidance Office, 2 Park Avenue, Park Ridge, NJ 07656
Emailed/Scanned - kristinaweldon@parkridge.k12.nj.us
Fax – 201-930-4874
A Transcript Release Form must be completed for each individual school/institution to which you are applying. State and Federal Laws prohibit the release of Academic Records without written permission of the student involved.
For questions about the above procedures, please email or call Mrs. Weldon at 201-573-6000 ext. 5500
Mental Health and Community Resources
Through the New Jersey Children's System of Care, PerformCare connects young people and their families statewide to the care they need to be well. Help is available for children, adolescents, and young adults seeking behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disability, or substance use treatment services.
988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and is now active across the United States.
When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
PerformCare is the Contracted System Administrator (CSA) for the New Jersey Children's System of Care (CSOC), serving as the single point of entry for all children, adolescents and young adults (up to age 21) who are in need of behavioral health, developmental and intellectual disability, or substance use treatment services.
PerformCare is focused on prevention and early intervention by connecting a young person with the care they need in the most appropriate setting—the right care in the right place at the right time. Our goal is to help families and caregivers create a more stable and healing environment for children, address barriers to well-being, and maximize youth and family strengths.
Download one of our brochures or flyers to learn more about PerformCare, to keep our information handy or to share with a friend.
Your source of information about support, resources, and services for families in Bergen County.
Crisis Text Line
Text "NJ" to 741741 24 hours a day - 7 days a week
Connect with a crisis counselor, trained in active listening and collaborative problem solving, helping to defuse a “hot” moment or a crisis.
2ND Floor Youth Helpline
1-888-222-2228 24 hours a day - 7 days a week
This is a youth helpline serving all youth and young adults in New Jersey. Youth who call are assisted with their daily life challenges by professional staff and trained volunteers. Anonymity and confidentiality are assured except in life-threatening situations.
Family Helpline
1-800-THE-KIDS (843-5437)
24 hours a day - 7 days a week
If you’re feeling stressed out, call to speak to a trained volunteer of Parents Anonymous who can provide support and refer you to resources in your community.
Crisis Text Line – text HOME to 741741
NJ Addictions Hotline – 1-844-276-2777
NJ Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-572-7233
National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233
Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth – 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678
NJ Hopeline – 1-855-654-6735
Trans Lifeline – 1-877-565-8860
Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800 985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline – 1-800-656-4673
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 24/7 Treatment Referral National Helpline – 1-800-662-4357
Community Service and Volunteering
Working Papers
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The way teens obtain working papers in New Jersey has changed!
As of June 1, 2023, Working Papers for minors have gone digital. Minor workers, their caregivers, and employers all fill out their respective parts of our streamlined online application instead of using the old paper form.
- CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR JOB OFFER! You only apply for Working Papers after you get an offer of an employment. If you're still looking for a job, check out our resources here.
- CREATE AN ACCOUNT. Enter your name and email address at myworkingpapers.nj.gov. We’ll send you a link to confirm your email address. Remember: You only need to do this once, even if you need to submit more than one Working Papers application. (See step #5 for more information.)
- COMPLETE THE APPLICATION. You’ll need your employer’s unique 8-digit code and your caregiver’s name and email address to submit your part of the application. Helpful hint: If you don’t have the employer’s code, you can search for the business by keyword. If your employer hasn’t registered with us yet, you can give us their email address and we’ll send them a link to create an account.
- TRACK YOUR PROGRESS. You may need to follow up with your caregiver and employer, who need to submit their parts of the application before you can start working. If your application is rejected for any reason, you can’t work until you submit a new application that is approved.
- GET TO WORK! Once your application is approved, you can start working at your new job. Don’t forget: If you add or change jobs, use your existing account to submit a new Working Papers application for every new employer. Use the "Apply for Working Papers" link after you log in.
- CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR JOB OFFER! You only apply for Working Papers after you get an offer of an employment. If you're still looking for a job, check out our resources here.
Contact
Alison Heller
Students in grades 9-12, last names M to Z
201-573-6000 ext. 5501
Dawn Huffman
Students in grades 9-12, last names A to L
201-573-6000 ext. 5502
Tara Saykin
Students in grades 7 and 8
201-573-6000 ext. 5503
Kristina Weldon
Administrative Assistant
201-573-6000 ext. 5500