For Counselors and Teachers

“NAASE was the partner needed for these students to have a fulfilling senior year... This expert staff advocates, cares, and provides the needed support system.” –Chris Schultz, TAG Strategist, Abraham Lincoln High School, Council Bluffs, IA

A student has come to you indicating their interest in NAASE. Now what? Here are some issues and concerns that often come up in our interactions with school officials. We recommend that you consider these issues and have discussions with the student about them as they are making their decision about NAASE.

• Will the student have enough credits by the end of their junior year to graduate? Most NAASE students either graduate a year early or use coursework from The University of Iowa to finish requirements for their high school diploma. To date, all of our students have been able to successfully complete their high school diploma through either option.
• If the student will not graduate prior to entering NAASE, how will you communicate which courses are needed and which ones at Iowa will count for that credit?
• Remember, generally one year of high school credit is equal to one semester of credit at the university.
• The student may want to come back for events throughout the year, such as prom or the graduation ceremony. How will this be handled? Will they be allowed to serve as a valedictorian for their class?
• How will the local scholarships handle this student’s applications? Will you recommend them for scholarships at the end of their junior year or as they are completing their first year at Iowa?

Many of our NAASE students are National Merit finalists. They complete the process through their first year at Iowa, and the scholarship begins applying to them as they enter their second year.