Counseling

Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a graduation requirement for seniors. The 2025–2026 FAFSA opens in December 2025. Completing it early may increase the amount of aid a student receives, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.

Students who choose not to complete the FAFSA must submit a signed waiver to the OHS Counseling Department.

How to Get Started

1. Create an FSA ID
   Students and parents (contributors) must each create an FSA ID at the StudentAid.Gov website.
   Watch how to create your FSA ID

2. Begin the FAFSA Application
   Log in to the StudentAid.Gov website once the application opens.

3. Provide Parent/Guardian Information
   Most students are considered dependents and will need at least one parent’s financial information.

4. Use the IRS Direct Data Exchange
   If you've filed taxes, use this feature to easily transfer financial information securely.

5. Sign and Submit
   Both the student and the parent must electronically sign and submit the application using their FSA IDs.

Helpful FAFSA Resources

• FAFSA Overview & Types of Aid
  Understand Financial Aid

• Getting Help
  Questions? Call 1-800-4FED-AID or contact your counselor or career coach.
  You can also call/text Alabama Goes to College at 334-316-6155 or email Alabama Possible.

For more details, download the following resources:

• Parent FAFSA Letter – Getting Started (PDF)
• FAFSA Info Packet for Students & Parents (PDF)

Through partnerships with Alabama Early College, Auburn University Auburn First, Auburn University in Montgomery, and Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC), students at OHS may earn college and high school credit through dual enrollment in academic, technical, and/or health science courses.

Students who choose to take dual enrollment courses must meet the entrance requirements established by the University of Alabama, Auburn University, AUM, or SUSCC, as applicable, and pay associated tuition and fees as required by the institutions. The grade received in a dual enrollment course will appear on a student’s HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT and affect their high school GPA and college GPA.

The University of Alabama – UA Early College

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be at least a high school sophomore

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA since 9th grade

• Complete application (includes online form, fee, transcript, and essay)

• Successfully complete UAEC 200 (College Readiness Course)

• Ability to pay tuition and fees

Program Highlights:

• Courses offered online during fall, spring, and summer terms

• Up to 30 credit hours can be earned while in high school

• Access to UA resources: libraries, Writing Center, Academic Success Center

• Potential for ACT/SAT-optional admission and priority housing for students who earn 17 credit hours with a 2.5 GPA

Learn more: UA Early College Website
Speak with your school counselor about course offerings.

Auburn University – Auburn First

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be at least a high school sophomore

• Minimum 3.0 GPA (3.5 GPA required for students admitted Spring 2024 and later)

• Complete application (includes online form, fee, transcript, and deposit)

• Ability to pay tuition and fees

• Support from a high school counselor or principal

Program Highlights:

• Online courses are offered during fall, spring, and summer terms

• Earn up to 24 credit hours before graduating

• Instructional designers support course development; faculty-led

• Online orientation and tutoring are available

• Dedicated Student Success Coordinator for guidance

• Continuous eligibility based on academic performance and coaching requirements

Learn more: Auburn First

Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM)

Eligibility Requirements:

• Completion of sophomore year

• Minimum 3.0 high school GPA

• Minimum ACT 18 / SAT 940 composite score

• Counselor and parent/guardian permission

• Ability to pay tuition and fees

Learn more: AUM Dual Enrollment

Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC)

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be in grades 10–12

• Minimum 2.5 unweighted GPA

• Submit a “Statement of Eligibility” with administrator approval each semester

• Complete ACT, SAT, or ACCUPLACER placement testing

  • English: ACT English 18 & Reading 20, or ACCUPLACER score of 5

  • Math: ACT Math 20, or specific scores on ACCUPLACER QRAS & AAF sections

• Ability to pay tuition and fees

Academic Dual Enrollment Courses at Opelika High School:

• English 101

• English 102

• Pre-Calculus

• Calculus
  (Additional offerings vary each semester; see your School Counselor)

Technical Dual Enrollment:

• Courses prepare students for high-wage, high-demand careers

• Students begin with Certified Production Technician (CPT) modules:

  • Safety

  • Quality Practices & Measurement

  • Manufacturing Processes & Production

  • Maintenance Awareness

• Must complete all 4 modules to earn the CPT

• Scholarship opportunities may be available for technical courses

• Continuous eligibility requires a C or higher and a 2.5 GPA

• Students receiving the CTEDE Scholarship must pass each course

Learn more: SUSCC Dual Enrollment

Scholarships:

Learn about scholarship opportunities here.

Opelika High School
1700 Lafayette Parkway Opelika, AL • (334) 745-9715, Main Office • (334) 745-9746, Guidance • (334) 745-9748
Fax OHS Website: ohs.opelikaschools.org/

Download A PDF Version Here

Administrators
Kelli Fischer, Principal
Zach Blatt, Assistant Principal
Allison Gregory, Assistant Principal
Kelvin Philpot, Assistant Principal

Counseling Department
Beverly Belcher, Counselor
Meredith Vickers, Counselor
Shonta Sheffield, Counselor
Beth Foster, Registrar
Gayle Hudmon, Secretary

Accreditation
Alabama State Department of Education
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

School Overview
Opelika, a city “rich in heritage with a vision for the future,” is located in East Alabama between Montgomery, AL and Columbus, GA. With a population of 27,000, the city boasts a revitalized, historic downtown, civic and recreational facilities, convenient housing, and strong business options. Neighboring Auburn University, Opelika is home to Southern Union Community College and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

Opelika High School, an accredited, technology-focused facility, has an average student enrollment of approximately 1,050 students completing coursework through a two-term schedule. The school offers a comprehensive academic program that includes technical, standard, honors, and Advanced Placement courses, as well as fine arts and career tech courses, such as forensics, German and culinary arts. In addition to academics, 50 extra-curricular and co-curricular activities give students the opportunity to become engaged while building teamwork and leadership. Programs arm students with essential skills for future endeavors.

The school year is divided into two terms for a total of 180 instructional days. Student schedules are based on a traditional block with alternating (term and all year) courses. One-half credit is earned for courses alternating for a term, and one full credit is earned for courses alternating all year. Credit is awarded at the end of the course. Only courses completed mid-year will be awarded credit at mid-year.

GPA is computed on a 4.0 scale based on all semesters of coursework. One-half quality points are awarded for courses designated as Honors, and one quality point is awarded for Advanced Placement courses. Grades are recorded on a 10-point scale:
90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, 59 and below=F.

Class of 2024

• 303 Graduates

• Over $5.3 million dollars in scholarship offers

• 69% Colleges and Universities to include:

  • Alabama A&M University

  • Alabama State University

  • Auburn University

  • Auburn University Montgomery

  • Chipola College

  • Clarke University

  • Freed-Hardeman University

  • Faulkner University

  • Huntington University

  • Jacksonville State University

  • Mississippi State University

  • Mercer University

  • Samford University

  • Spelman College

  • SUNY Plattsburgh

  • Troy University

  • Tuskegee University

  • University of Alabama

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham

  • University of Mobile

  • University of Montevallo

  • University of North Alabama

  • University of South Alabama

  • University of West Alabama

  • University of Georgia

  • University of Southern California

  • Yale University

• 27% Employment

• 4% Military

Curriculum

Honor’s Courses

• Honors English 9–10

• Algebra II with Trigonometry

• Pre-Calculus

• Honor’s Biology

• Anatomy & Physiology Honors

• Chemistry

• Genetics

• Honors World History

• Honors Geometry with Data Analysis

• Spanish III and IV

• French III and IV

Advanced Placement

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

• Composition

• Literature

• US History

• US Government

• Calculus

• Statistics

• Computer Science

Career and Technical Programs

• Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

• Business Management and Administration

• Information Technology

• Engineering and Design

• Education/Training

• Hospitality and Tourism/Culinary

• Marketing, Sales and Services

Dual Enrollment with Southern Union, UA Early College Auburn First, AUM

• US History 201 and 202

• Math 115 and 125

• English 101 and 102

• Various Elective and Technical Courses

Student Activities and Organizations

• Anchor Club

• Art Club

• Baseball

• Band

• Bowling

• Boys’ & Girls’ Club

• Boys’ & Girls’ Golf

• Boys’ & Girls’ Tennis

• Boys’ & Girls’ Track

• Chamber Choir

• Class Officers

• Concert Band

• Cross Country

• Diamond Darlings

• FBLA

• FCA

• FCCLA

• FFA

• FFA Officers

• Flag Football

• Football

• French Club

• French Honor Society

• Government Club

• HOSA

• Honors Classes

• Information Technology

• Jazz Ensemble

• Kick Line

• Majorette

• Marching Band

• Math Competition Team

• Multicultural Exchange Club

• Mu Alpha Theta

• Opelika High Theatre Society

• Ovations Show Choir

• Percussion Ensemble

• Perspective, literary magazine

• Publishing

• Robotics

• Rho Kappa Honor Society

• Science National Honor Society

• SGA

• Show Choir

• Softball

• Spanish Club

• Spanish Honor Society

• Student Ambassadors

• Volleyball

• Women’s Chamber of Commerce

• Zig Zag (yearbook)

• 50 Teacher-sponsored clubs

Course Registration

The course registration process at Opelika High School begins each January for the upcoming school year. Students will receive a copy of the updated Curriculum Guide and a Course Request Form to begin planning.

• Students will enter their course requests in the PowerSchool portal in late January.

• During February, school counselors meet individually with students to review transcripts and finalize course selections.

• In March, the master schedule is built based on student requests, and counselors create individual student schedules.

Students must contact their counselor to obtain a course request form if needed.

Course Request & Scheduling Policies

• Course entries in PowerSchool are considered requests only. While we strive to honor as many requests as possible, we cannot guarantee that every student will be scheduled for every requested course.

• Due to course availability and the need to complete full schedules, counselors may place students in alternate courses not listed on their request forms.

• Counselors must balance graduation requirements, course availability, class sizes, and student requests when creating schedules.

Course Change Deadlines

• Students may request course changes through May 19, 2025, by emailing their counselor.

• After May 19, schedule changes will only be made under the following circumstances:

  • The student is scheduled for a course they have already passed

  • A course is required for graduation or Career Readiness Indicator (CRI) fulfillment

Schedule Change Policy

Once the semester begins, no schedule changes will be made unless they meet the criteria listed above. Requests for schedule changes based on the following will not be approved:

• Teacher preference

• Course difficulty

• Desire to be in a class with friends

• Lack of interest in a selected course

Counselors will attempt to make reasonable schedule changes if a student is added to a tryout, audition, or interview-based group (e.g., soccer, show choir) after the school year begins. These changes must align with graduation requirements and not exceed class size limits.