Guidance Center Hours
Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Friday 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. NOTE: During the summer months some guidance services (such as requests for school record transcripts) may be requested through the high school main office, which is open year round.
Guidance Center Keokuk High School
2285 Middle Road Keokuk, IA 52632
PHONE
319-524-2542 (follow menu instructions)
FAX
319-526-3700 (Attention: Guidance Center)
18-19 Scholarship News…
KHS Common Scholarship Application packets are now available in the Guidance Office. Apply for numerous local scholarships with one application. Applications must be returned to the Guidance Secretary by 3:30, Friday, March 1st, 2019.
Senior Transcript Requests…
If students are 18 years of age, they will be able to complete this request on their own. If they are under the age of 18, a parent/guardian signature is required. We are well aware that plans may change, even during the summer months. If your child needs to have transcripts sent to another place during the summer or years to follow, requests can be made in the KHS main office. Once a student has graduated a fee of $5.00 will be charged for each transcript sent.
Graduation Requirements
The information below is the credits required for graduation.
| Content Area | Credits Required |
|---|---|
| English | 8.0 Credits |
| Social Studies | 6.0 Credits |
| Science | 6.0 Credits |
| Math | 6.0 Credits |
| Physical Education/Health | 1.0 Credit |
| Unrestricted Electives (Includes PE Credit) | Enough for fulfill remaining 45 credits |
| Grand Total | 45.0 Credits |
Note: 1.0 credit is awarded for each semester of any class (required or elective) in which a passing grade is earned.
VERTEX
The Variety of Educational & Real World Training Experience (VERTEX) is a new program at the Keokuk High School.
College Scholarship Information
College Affordability Guide
Our mission is to bring together disparate bodies of data to produce a more holistic (but also focused) view of which colleges are likely to be the best value for the money. We end up with one number, an Affordability Score, with two main parts, a “Getting In” score and a “Getting Out” score. We use these two measures because we think that most of the resources about college affordability focus too narrowly on the cost of getting to college. We think it’s just as important to look at what happens when you get out. Do students get out with degrees? Or do they drop out halfway through with a bunch of credits they still owe money for? And once they’ve gotten out, are they able to repay their student loans?
The College Scholarship Guide from The Simple Dollar
Not only does this resource provide actionable tips on applying to scholarships, but it also helps students realize how accessible and truly valuable getting a scholarship can be. Higher education costs are at an all-time high, and landing into the right scholarship could be the difference between graduating debt-free or paying off loans for years and years. The great news is that anyone can just be eligible for some type of scholarship. They just need to know where to look and be organized enough to apply. This guide takes them through the steps.
Iowa Colleges Guide from the Affordable Colleges Foundation
Iowa Colleges Guide from the Affordable Colleges Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing free higher education tools for current and future college students and their families, recently published research on all the Not-For-Profit universities and colleges in Iowa that offer online college programs. Historically, online programs have only been offered by for-profit institutions. Today, many of the most established not-for-profit state colleges and national universities have launched programs that provide flexibility and lower tuition prices for students.
The College Database
The College Database has created a no-cost resource dedicated to higher education in Iowa. The goal of the page is to help high school students and their families research and identify campus, online and hybrid learning opportunities in the state that fit their needs.
The Iowa Guide
The Iowa guide includes a complete look at the state’s community colleges, public universities, private colleges, technical schools and distance learning options. College hopefuls can then find potential schools using our proprietary search tool, which allows quick and accurate searching by institution type, setting, size, city and cost. Students can also see the best colleges in Iowa for…
– Current and future service members
– Student-teacher ratio
– Women in technology
– Return on investment
All data used in the guide and in our search tool comes from government databases such as the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Career Information
Looking for a job?
Each of these links leads to a site whose primary focus is to provide information about actual employment opportunities:
- Career Builder (national database)
- America’s Job Bank (national database)
- Iowa Jobs: From America Workforce Development (Iowa database)
Resume Writing
The resume is a very important component of the job application process. Often it can make the difference as to whether or not the applicant is offered a face-to-face interview for the position being sought. Here are some links to web sites which contain information pertaining to creating an effective resume:
Miscellaneous
- Career Magazine – an on-line magazine with a wide variety of features pertaining to careers
- Occupational Outlook Handbook – the Occupational Outlook Handbook is a government publication providing information about thousands of jobs
- U. S. Department of Labor – official government site
- National Skill Standards Board – lists skill standards as established by various industries
- Peace Corps – want to delay that high-paying job to help your fellow man for a couple of years? check out the Peace Corps
College Information
College/University Directories
U. S. Universities and Community Colleges – links to U. S. universities and community colleges
College Admissions Tests
- ACT Home Page – official site of the American College Test (ACT)
- College Board Online – official site of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Iowa Colleges Guide from the Affordable Colleges Foundation
The links in this table lead to sites with comprehensive information for the college-bound student.
| College Bound | College Express | College Link |
| CollegeNet | U.S. News | College View |
| Peterson’s Home Page | Embark | Princeton Review |
- NCAA – official NCAA site; information and advice for potential college student-athletes
Personal/Social Information
This contains information relating to personal and social issues in the lives of students and their families. The first section lists telephone numbers of organizations, community agencies, institutions, etc. (both local and non-local) which provide information and/or services to people. The second section provides links to web sites which present information of a personal/social nature.
Resource Telephone Numbers
- Adolescent Suicide: 1-800-621-4000
- AIDS Information: 1-800-342-2437
- Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services (ADDS): 1-319-524-4397
- Alcoholics Anonymous: 1-319-372-6837
- Al-Anon and Alateen: 1-800-356-9996
- Birthright: 1-319-524-3733
- Child Abuse: 1-800-362-2178 or 1-800-422-4453 or 1-319-524-1052
- Cocaine Hotline: 1-800-262-2463
- Community Action Agency: 1-319-524-6383
- Department of Employment Services: 1-319-524-1862
- Department of Human Services: 1-319-524-1052
- Drug and Alcohol Abuse: 1-800-533-1616
- Food Addiction: 1-800-872-0088
- G.E.D. Testing (Southeastern Community College): 1-319-524-3221
- Great River Area Education Agency #16: 1-319-524-2682
- Homework Hotline: 1-800-728-6450
- Iowa State Juvenile Home (Toledo, IA): 1-515-484-2560
- Iowa State Patrol: 1-800-525-5555
- Iowa Teen Health Line: 1-800-443-8336
- JTPA: 1-319-524-9811
- Keokuk Emergency Shelter (Safe Haven): 1-319-524-4445
- Lee County Public Health Nurse: 1-319-524-4423
- Legalized Abortions (Carthage, IL): 1-217-357-2173
- Mental Health Institute (Independence, IA): 1-319-334-2583
- Missing Person’s Clearinghouse: 1-800-346-5507
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: 1-800-638-2045
- National Runaway Switchboard: 1-800-621-4000
- Planned Parenthood: 1-319-524-2759
- Probation Officer (adult): 1-319-524-6591
- Probation Officer (juvenile): 1-319-524-6122
- Salvation Army: 1-319-524-1144 and 1-319-524-6164
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases: 1-800-227-8922
- Suicide Hotline: 1-800-638-4357
- Vocational Rehabilitation: 1-319-753-2231
Sites Dealing With Mental Health
Sites Dealing with Surrounding Divorce
Sites Dealing With The Issues Of Child Abuse
Sites Dealing With The Issue Of Missing Children
Note: These references are provided as a service to our students and parents who may be seeking information or help. The KHS Guidance Center staff make no judgments, moral or otherwise, as to the information or services provided by the entities listed.
Guidance Services
Guidance Program
Guidance is an integral part of Keokuk High School’s total educational program. It is developmental in design, and includes sequential activities organized and implemented by certified school counselors with the support of teachers, administrators, students and parents. Components of the guidance program include:
- guidance curriculum
- individual planning
- responsive services
- system support
Student Competencies
The guidance program is designed to address the needs of all students by helping them to acquire competencies in the following areas:
Career Planning and Exploration
- acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions
- employ strategies to achieve future caeer goals with success and satisfaction
Knowledge of Self and Others
- acquire the knowledge, attitudes and interpersonal skills to help understand and respect self and others
- make decisions, set goals and take actions to achieve goals
- understand the consequences of and accept responsibility for personal behavior
Education and Vocational Development
- complete high school with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of substantial postsecondary options, including college
- understand the relationship of academics to the world of work, and to life at home and in the community
Guidance Career Center Materials
The following materials are available online. For further assistance, see a guidance counselor.
Career Planning
- America’s Top 300 Jobs
- Chronicle Job Briefs
- Chronicle Sports Careers
- Dictionary Of Occupational Titles
- Encyclopedia Of Careers
- Enhanced Guide For Occupational Exploration, The
- Ferguson’s Guide To Apprenticeship Programs
- Guide To Careers In America 1999
- How To Write Better Resumes
- Military Career Guide
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- The O*Net Dictionary of Occupational Titles
College/Technical School Information
- American Trade Schools Directory
- Barron’s Profiles Of American Colleges
- Best College For You, The
- Chronicle Financial Aid Guide
- Chronicle Four Year College Databook
- Chronicle Sports Guide
- Chronicle Two Year College Databook
- Chronicle Vocational School Manual
- College Cost And Financial Aid Handbook
- College Handbook, The
- College Money Handbook
- Competitive Colleges
- Consider a Christian College
- Get A Jump: Midwest 2001
- Getting Into College – A Counselor’s Guide
- Guide To College Visits
- Handbook For College Admissions
- How To Market Your Student Athlete
- Index Of Majors And Graduate Degrees
- NCAA Division I Graduation Rates Report
- NCAA Division II And III Graduation Rates Report
- Need A Lift?
- New York City – It’s A Great College Town
- Patterson’s Schools Classified 2000
- Peterson’s Guide To College Admissions
- Peterson’s Guide To Four Year Colleges
- Peterson’s Guide To Two Year Colleges
- Peterson’s Guide To Vocational And Technical Schools – East
- Peterson’s Guide To Vocational And Technical Schools – West
- Peterson’s Scholarships, Grants and Prizes
- Summer On Campus
- Writing A Winning College Application Essay
Computer Software
- ACT Preparation – practice for the four ACT subtests
- CHOICES – an occupational and educational database
Testing
- Barron’s How To Prepare For Civil Service Examinations
- Barron’s How To Prepare For The ACT
- Barron’s How To Prepare For The ASVAB
- Barron’s How To Prepare For The GED
- Barron’s How To Prepare For The PSAT/NMSQT
- College Board Guide To The CLEP Examinations, The
- GED – How To Prepare For The High School Equivalency Exam
- How To Beat Test Anxiety And Score Higher On The SAT
- Introducing The New SAT
- Official Guide To The ACT Assessment
- Scoring High On The Armed Forces Test
- Sharpen Skills SAT/ACT
- Technical Manual For The ASVAB
Note: In addition to the listed materials, the Career Center contains an assortment of college catalogues and a small library of videotapes.
Scholarships/Financial Aid Information
This presents information dealing with scholarships and financial aid for post-secondary education. This is not an all inclusive listing of scholarship opportunities. The focus is upon those scholarships which should be of special interest to Keokuk High School students. Further down the page are links to other web sites which contain a wealth of information for the student seeking financial assistance.
Keokuk High School Common Scholarship Application System
The KHS Common Scholarship Application System (CSAS) was developed by counselor Jerry Fine during the 1987-88 school year. Since that time it has simplified the process of applying for locally-sponsored scholarships for hundreds of KHS seniors. The number of participating organizations varies somewhat from year to year, but typically a student can apply for 18-20 different scholarships by completing only one application. CSAS packets are available in the Guidance Center immediately following the winter holiday break each year. The following scholarships are included in CSAS for the current school year:
American Legion Auxiliary
Applicants must be the son, daughter, brother, sister, wife or grandchild of a veteran of the armed services, and plan to attend an Iowa school. Criteria for selection include character, Americanism, leadership and scholarship. Applicants must write a 300 word essay stating educational goals and explaining financial need. A copy of the veteran’s DD214 form or discharge papers must be included.
Business and Professional Women’s Club
Applicants must be female and plan to attend the Keokuk campus of Southeastern Community College. Recipient may have any major, including a vocational program.
Curt Mason Scholarship
Open to KHS students. The primary criterion for selection is financial need and participation in extracurricular activities.
Dr. Min Chung Scholarship
Open only to KHS students, the primary criterion for selection is financial need; may be used at any post-secondary school.
Jingst Memorial
Applicants must plan to enroll in the auto mechanics program or a business-related program at Southeastern Community College (either campus). Recipients selected on the basis of dedication, honesty, dependability, and financial need.
Keokuk Education Association
Applicants must plan to major in education with an emphasis on teaching. Must include written response to two education-related questions.
Keokuk Engineering Scholarship
Open only to KHS students who are interested in engineering at an accredited college or university. Applicants will be expected to write a 1000 word essay.
Keokuk Street Fair
Several scholarships awarded. May be used at any school, but some are reserved for use at the Keokuk campus of Southeastern Community College. Must include a short paragraph detailing how the applicant might serve humanity in their chosen profession.
KHS Football Boosters
Applicants must have displayed dedication and good sportsmanship as a member of the KHS football team.
KHS Girls Sports Boosters
Applicants must be female and have demonstrated sportsmanship and dedication while participating in a sport at KHS.
Kiwanis Club
Applicants must plan to attend the Keokuk campus of Southeastern Community College. Selection criteria: scholarship, citizenship and participation in school, church, and community activities.
Lee County Health Scholarship Fund
Applicants must plan to train in a health-related field.
Lions Club
Applicants may plan to enter either an academic or a vocational training program. Criteria for selection: financial need, academic achievement and evidence of aptitude (if entering a vocational program).
Meierotto Memorial
Applicants must have a part-time job and a 3.25 grade point average. Criteria for selection: financial need, academic achievement, activities and demonstrated work ethic. May be used at any college.
Rotary Memorial
Applicants must plan to attend the Keokuk campus of Southeastern Community College. Criteria for selection: academic performance and financial need.
Science Awards (Wilbur Erickson Memorial and Kiwanis Club)
Applicants may attend any college and major in any field. Achievement in high school science classes is the primary criterion for selection.
Sears Memorial
May be used at any college or tech school, but preference is given to Southeastern Community College (Keokuk campus) applicants. Criteria: academic achievement, financial need, work ethic.
Sigmund Memorial
Preference is given to those applicants seeking training in fine arts or a hands on voc/tech program (Nurses Training, for example).
Stephenson Memorial
Only students from KHS and Cardinal Stritch may apply; may be used at any post-secondary school; financial need is an important criterion for selection.
Additional Scholarships of Local Interest
This section describes a number of other scholarships (which are NOT part of the KHS Common Scholarship Application System) of interest to KHS students. Each of these scholarships has its own separate application.
AFL-CIO
May be used at any school. Applicants must submit a typed essay relating to the history of the labor movement in the United States. Amount: three area awards totaling $500; three state-wide awards totaling $3000. Deadline: mid Feb.
American Legion Auxiliary
Sponsors a variety of scholarships. All require that applicants be related to a military veteran or be a veteran themself. Amounts vary. Deadlines for the various awards run from late March to early June. Note: These awards are separate from the scholarship which is included within the KHS Common Scholarship Application System.
Beaird/Loeffler Memorial D.A.R.E. Scholarship
One KHS graduate will receive a $250 award; applicants must be a former D.A.R.E. student; writing an essay is part of the application process; may be used at any college.
Clyde James Memorial
Essentially a four-year, full-ride scholarship for use at the University of Iowa. Preference is given to graduates of Keokuk High School and Southeastern Community College. Recipients will have graduated in the top 20% of their class and demonstrate financial need. No formal application is necessary, but it is important that students make early application for admission to the University and file a FAFSA form early and insure that a copy be made available to the University’s Financial Aid Office.
Donald Webb Scholarship
One annual award given to a male KHS graduate. Criteria includes financial need, motivation to learn, evidence of work commitment and contribution to the community. Amount: $1500. Deadline: mid May.
Doris and Bill Heller Music Award
Awarded to a graduate of KHS based upon past and future involvement in the study of music and participation in music ministry. Students need not apply – candidates nominated by the heads of the instrumental and vocal music departments at KHS. Amount: $200.
Elks Club
May be used at any school. Amount: two local awards of $500 each, local winners considered for state and national awards. Deadline: early Dec.
Elks Club Legacy Award
Applicants must be the son or daughter of an Elks Club member. Amount is $1000; may be used at any school. Deadline: early Nov.
Elks Club Vocational Grant
Twelve $500 awards statewide for students planning voc/tech training of two years or less. Deadline: late March.
Great River Medical Center
At least one $300 scholarship to an area graduate who plans to train for a health-related occupation. Criteria include financial need and academic achievement. An essay is part of the application. Deadline: late March.
Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Commission
May be used at any school. Criteria: academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. Amount: one Lee county award of $250, three state-wide awards totaling $2250. Deadline: mid Feb.
Keokuk Humane Society
May be used at any school. Applicants must submit a typed essay on a subject relating to the care or treatment of animals (subject varies from year to year). Amount: $250. Deadline: early May.
Keokuk School Foundation
One award to a KHS graduate based upon financial need, motivation to learn, evidence of work commitment and contribution to the community. Amount: $1500. Deadline: early May.
Laura K. Hull Memorial (Great River Players)
Applicants must plan to major in the performing arts or a related field. The primary criterion for selection is demonstrated talent in a performing art. Amount: $500. Deadline: early May
Lee County Farm Bureau
Applicants must be a member of a Farm Bureau family and have a grade point average of at least 3.0. Amount: $1000. Deadline: late March.
Marilyn Pohorsky Memorial
May be used at any school. Applicants must have an ACT composite score of at least 19 and a grade point average of at least 2.5. Amount: $500. Deadline: mid Apr.
Masonic Lodge
May be used at any school. Amount: two local awards of $500 each; 50-60 statewide awards of $2000 each. Deadline: state=early Feb.; local=early Apr.
NAPM-Illiamo
May be used at any school. Applicants must major in supply management, logistics, purchasing, materials management or a related business area. Amount: several area awards of $500 each. Deadline: mid Apr.
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships
Highly competitive national awards for use at any school. Financial need is NOT a factor. Amount: contingent upon congressional funding. Deadline: mid Apr.
Southeastern Community College Foundation
For use at Southeastern Community College only. A wide variety of awards of varying amounts. Deadline: for most, mid Apr.
Southeast Iowa Builders Association
Applicants must plan to enter a program leading to an eventual career in the construction industry. $1000 awards are available for those entering a construction management/construction technology program. Deadline: early Apr.
Wal-Mart
The Keokuk Wal-Mart store awards a $1000 scholarship to an area graduate. May be used at any school. Applications are available at the Keokuk Wal-Mart store. Deadline: late Jan.
A wealth of information relating to scholarships/financial aid exists on the internet. The following site contains many links to other sites, including a number of FREE scholarship search services.
Iowa College Student Aid Commission
The Iowa College Student Aid Commission administers a number of programs designed to provide financial assistance to graduates of Iowa high schools who desire to further their education within the state of Iowa. Here is a link to their website:
High School STEM Scholarship for Aspiring Commercial Drone Pilots
The High School STEM Scholarship for Aspiring Commercial Drone Pilots was created to support high school students ages 16 and up who are serious about learning how to fly drones commercially, and to support the use of drones to further the interest of high school students in STEM subjects.
Scholarship recipients receive free access to Drone Pilot Ground School (usual cost is $299), an in-depth test prep course for the FAA’s “Part 107” certification exam to be a commercial drone pilot. The first 100 recipients will have their FAA exam fee of $150 covered, for a total value of approximately $450. Learn more about the scholarship and application process here.
Test Information
American College Test (ACT)
KHS Code = 162270
The fee is $39.50. With writing, the fee is $56.50.
Link to the Official Web Site for the ACT
Registration packets for the ACT are available from the KHS Guidance Center or students may register online at the official ACT web site (link above).
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
KHS Code = 162270
The fee is $54.50.
Link to the Official Web Site for the SAT
Registration packets for the SAT are available from the KHS Guidance Center or students may register online at the official SAT web site (link above).
Tests Given At Keokuk High School
Link to the Official Web Site for the PSAT/NMSQT
Link to the Official Web Site for the ASVAB
Link to the Advanced Placement Web Site
