FAQ
How can I find out more about Dual Enrollment?
Click here for the PGCPS FAQ and click here for additional notes from the Information Session.
How can I find out more about Common Core?
Click here.
What is Grad Night?
Grad Night is a 29-year tradition at ERHS, an all-night celebration on the night of graduation sponsored each year by volunteer parents/guardians for ALL graduating seniors. This chaperoned celebration begins at ERHS where grads with tickets check in and are transported by school bus to the designated venue. The event runs from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. and will be held on Friday, May 29, 2020 for the 2020 graduates!
The Grad Night Committee meetings are typically conducted on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:00 pm in Room 130.
Email ERHSGradNight2020@gmail.com or visit the Grad Night website: https://sites.google.com/site/raidernationgradnight/home
How do I access the SchoolMax Parent Portal?
Click here.
Who do I contact to find out my SchoolMax access code?
Email your grade level administrator. If you have problems with your SchoolMax account, you need to contact the county helpdesk at 301 386 1549.
What are the class colors?
Class of 2019: orange
Class of 2020: yellow
Class of 2021: purple
Class of 2022: green
These colors rotate, so class of 2023 will be orange, etc. During Spirit Week there is usually one day when students are encouraged to wear their class colors. Each class usually designs a T-shirt in their color, which is available from the school for purchase.
What does an official transcript, one that colleges will see, look like?
Amy Hansen interviewed Guidance Counselor Mr. McCree for this question:
Students start sending requests for transcripts to be sent out in the first quarter of their senior year, and the application process goes for much of the year. The official transcript has the FINAL grades from ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades. These are letter grades. They do not show numbers or comments. Depending on when the request is made, the transcript will also show the first one or two quarters of senior year, again as letter grades.
Students receive acceptance letters in spring, but those admissions are contingent on the student graduating. So colleges are sent another transcript in June that show the final grades for every class.
Amy clarified: So as far as colleges are concerned, getting a 90 in a class is the same as getting a 99?
Mr. McCree: Yes.
What is the Capstone program?
Click here
How do I find out about Summer School?
There is some information on the PGCPS website at https://www.pgcps.org/summerprograms/
However, this information is not always complete. Guidance should have full information after AP tests, at the end of May. Summer school is usually offered at about 2 high schools (not always ERHS), and includes PE & Health and Pre-Calc. The classes typically run Monday-Thursday, 8:00-2:30, for about 4-6 weeks in July. Dates can vary, but are usually posted on the summer school website in spring and apply to all summer school classes. Students need to have a form filled out and signed by guidance. Registration takes place at school at the end of June, and payment must be with a money order or certified check.
What is Zero Period?
Zero period is a class which takes place before the school day officially begins, e.g. starting at about 7:30am every day.The classes will only run if enough students sign up.
How do I find out about PSAT/SAT/ACT?
All 10th graders can take the PSAT for free during the school day, in October. There is a fee for students in other grades. Sign-up begins at Back to School Night.
Students should also take the PSAT in 11th grade, and high scores can make them eligible for National Merit Scholarships.
SAT/ACT is typically taken in 11th grade so that scores can be reported on college applications. Students/parents are responsible for registering for the SAT/ACT, and you may need to travel to another nearby location to take the test. See collegeboard.org or act.org for more information and to register. There is a fee, and you should register at least a month in advance to avoid additional late fees. Some colleges also require SAT Subject Tests.
The Science & Technology program usually sponsors a practice SAT/ACT test in January for a small fee. Details will be posted on the PTSA home page.
More information and practice tests at: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/
What information should I know about Graduation?
Graduation Day is typically at the beginning of June, and school is closed that day so that staff can attend.
Graduation takes place at the Xfinity Center at University of Maryland.
Order forms for cap and gown usually come home in February/March. There are various packages available; the cheapest is around $45. If you order after the deadline, there is a $15 late fee. Caps and gowns are light blue. Girls usually need to wear something short and light colored underneath so that it does not show. Boys should wear formal shirt, tie and dress pants under the gown.
You can also order announcements and thank you notes through the same company, Jostens.
Usually 10 tickets are provided per student for friends and family to attend the ceremony. It is possible to request more, but there is a deadline.
There is a rehearsal at school in May, and students receive their cap and gown and tickets at this time.
Orchestra/band and chorus usually perform at the ceremony.
There are limits to what is allowed into the Xfinity Center for the ceremony, so do not bring your own food, drink or large bags. Expect a bag search.
The Xfinity Center snack bar will be open for refreshments (the same hotdogs, etc. which are available for games).
Allow plenty of time to arrive and park. Usually there are other graduation ceremonies the same day, so there is a large volume of traffic. You will be directed to a parking lot. Also allow plenty of time to go through security into the building. Students may go in a different entrance, and are given priority.
Grad Night is a chaperoned all-night party on the night after graduation. See other information on this page.
Prom takes place mid-May, usually in a large hotel. Tickets are around $80-90. Senior picnic takes place later in May, with tickets around $50. Class fundraisers during the year help to defray these costs.