Mohawk Trail Student Services

Planning for the future while completing high school requirements can be a challenge. Our School Counseling Department is here to help, from guiding you through a graduation plan, to helping you apply to college and providing financial aid information and resources.

While our school counselors meet with every student throughout the year, we encourage students to be proactive about their high school education and beyond. This page provides you the information you need to explore college and career options as well as to ensure success during your high school years.

School Counselor for Grades 7–8
Taffy Ruggeri
413-625-9811, ext. 1304

School Counselor for Grades 9–12
Linda Desarro
413-625-9811, ext. 1307

Registrar
Robin Jenkins
(413) 625-9811, ext. 1305

Useful Information

College Entrance Exams

Standardized testing can strike fear into the most intelligent and confident of students. However, with preparation and knowledge of what to expect, students can conquer this hurdle. Learn more on these sites:

Financial Aid Resources

Paying for college requires planning. Know what to expect and how to get help.

Information and resources from our financial aid night on October 4 is available on the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) website.

Graduation Requirements

We expect all students (except early college students) to register for a full course load per school year. In order to graduate from Mohawk Trail Regional School, students must complete a minimum of 168 credits including:

  • Four years of English including: English 9, English 10, and either English 11 or AP Language and Composition.
  • Four years of Mathematics including: completion of Integrated Math I, II, and III.
  • Four years of Science: Three years of which must be lab-based Science and include Biology.
  • Four Years of History including: US History I and II, a World History Course and Civic Action Project.
  • Senior Capstone Seminar
  • Two years of the same World Language
  • One Trimester of PE
  • One Trimester of Health
  • One Trimester of Art
  • Four Years of Advisory

As Mohawk Trail Regional School transitions to a 7-period schedule for students in grades 9-12, the number of credits required for graduation will change as follows:

  • For the class of 2027, students must have earned 162 credits.
  • For the class of 2028, students must have earned 156 credits.
  • For the class of 2029, students must have earned 150 credits.

For the district policies on the following, please click the related links:

2003-2024 Eligibility for High School Diploma - Are You Eligible?

Since the decision to eliminate the MCAS tests, the test no longer stands as a graduation requirement across the Commonwealth. As such, all school districts will offer eligible students in the classes of 2003 through 2024, who did not earn a diploma due to the inability to pass MCAS, the opportunity to determine their current eligibility for a diploma pursuant to the updated competency determination (CD) requirements. An eligible student is one who:

  1. was previously enrolled in the district; and
  2. previously met the criteria for a Certificate of Attainment (i.e., they met local graduation requirements but did not receive a high school diploma because they did not earn a CD); and
  3. was not previously reported as a graduate in any district’s Student Information Management System (SIMS) submission.

Any student who has not previously met the criteria for a Certificate of Attainment (indicating that they did not meet all local graduation requirements when they exited high school) must meet the district’s current CD requirements and local graduation requirements in order to earn a diploma. All graduates must be reported to the Department via SIMS. Additional guidance is available on the Department’s Data Collection website.

Students who meet the eligibility requirements must contact the Student Services Office of the Mohawk Trail Regional School for a records review.

The guidance department will conduct an initial review, and make a recommendation to the principal and superintendent.

The superintendent’s office will issue a decision, and communicate in writing about said decision, within one month of the receipt of the original request.

If eligibility criteria are met, MTRSD will issue a diploma within one month of the receipt of the original request.

All graduates will be reported to DESE via SIMS by the superintendent’s office.

Helpful Resources

Stay on top of the critical college application and recruiting information, standardized testing helps, and scholarship leads.

Information for Juniors

Your junior year is the year to focus on maintaining your grades and researching for and planning post-high school options. During this year, our counselors will provide you with college and career information through classroom lessons and individual conferences.

In December, we’ll work on creating a Xello profile and complete a career-interest inventory in class.

During the months of December and January, we’ll schedule an individual conference to review graduation credits, look at senior year class options, and develop a plan for after graduation. We’ll also check SAT testing dates.

In April, we’ll learn how to create a resume.

Junior and Senior Year Planning Checklist
Scholarship Resources

Scholarship opportunities are everywhere. Visit these sites to help you get started.

Student Employment Opportunities
Transcript Requests
Work Permits

Registration

If you are new to the Mohawk Trail Regional School District and would like to register your student, please completely fill out the new student registration forms and the health forms. You can return the completed forms via email to Robin Jenkins, fax them to 413-625-6823 attention Robin Jenkins, or mail them to Mohawk Trail Regional School, 26 Ashfield Road, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370 attention Robin Jenkins.

Once we receive your completed forms, we will call you to schedule an appointment to complete the registration process and to meet with a school counselor.

The whole registration process could take up to a week to complete. Incomplete records or registration forms will delay your student from enrollment in classes. We require all academic, health, attendance, discipline, and special education records from previous schools.

The following documentation is required:

  • Certified copy of the student’s birth certificate
  • Updated immunization record
  • Proof of legal guardianship (if applicable)
  • Proof of residency
    • Mortgage statement or lease agreement including the parent/guardian’s current address
  • Plus, at least one of the following:
    • Current utility bill statement at said address
    • Valid government-issued ID such as a Massachusetts driver’s license, voter registration card, or state ID

If you have any questions about the process, please contact us at 413-625-9811, ext. 1305.

We look forward to welcoming you into the Mohawk Trail school community!