When you’re new to high school, there is so much to remember! Lucky for you, we compiled a freshman survival guide for you from our online resources at New Millennium Secondary School (NMSS), a tuition-free 9th-12th grade high school in Gardena.
Here, we take you on a tour of our website’s “Resources” tab so you can get the help you need, now.
High School Resources
NMSS SARC (Student Accountability Report Card) Policies: Past year NMSS stats.
NMSS Policies: Find nondiscrimination, bullying & hazing, uniform complaint, and suicide prevention policies here.
Student Expectations:
- NMSS Code of Conduct: Think Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.
- Parent-Student-Staff Compact: Everyone in our NMSS community has expectations and responsibilities and this compact highlights those.
- Dress Code: Our dress code is anything BUT uniform.
Bus Routes: Gardena bus line maps and schedules.
Parent Student Handbook 2024-2025: This is the MOTHER SHIP of information! What’s the difference between an excused and an unexcused absence? What’s Advisory? How do I take college classes at NMSS? All here. Plus so. much. more.
2024-2025 Bell Schedule: It’s here, it’s in the Handbook, and best of all, we post it online because while we love our block scheduling, remembering the specifics can be tricky at first. You’ve got this!
Student Resources
ASB (Associated Student Body): Heart of NMSS. These students run our cafe, plan tasty pop-ups and create festive fun, like our spirit weeks. They are also in charge of our clubs led by students and teachers like Cooking, Gaming, Genders & Sexualities Alliances, Working Out, and Dancing. All the forms for running a club (or creating one!) live here.
Seniors: Graduation requirements here! See what you need to graduate for a general diploma and for a Millennium Scholar Diploma.
Academic Help:
- Weekly Grade Check Form.
- Recommended reading and resources, like Obama’s The Audacity of Hope, free Spanish lessons, math support, and those pesky English homonyms.
Mental Health Support: YOU matter. NMSS has a partnership with Care Solace for you to call in if you need any mental support, including depression, anxiety and stress.
School Lunch: It’s free! And if you need a snack? Come to the office- we want you focused on school and not a growling tummy.
College & Career Resources
College Entrance Exams: testing dates for SAT and ACT (we also host practice tests- email Mr. Kirtz for more information). Test prep resources too!
College Blogs: We love guiding students through the college readiness and application process. Find out more about how we can help in these blogs.
College & Career Counseling: Mr. Kirtz, our guidance counselor, is your go-to for any and ALL questions about college and careers. He is here for you!
Work Permits: Take time during the school day to work? You can as a senior and this is where information about getting one is.
Transcript Requests: Get a record of your grades following the instructions here.
College Planners: This here is pure gold. There’s a college planning calendar PDF for each year you’re at NMSS. As a freshman, suggestions include developing a graduation plan with Mr. Kirtz, reading a book a month, and taking a practice college entrance exam.
Community Service Forms: As a commitment to our community, we require community service for graduation. There’s a form with ideas for you to try, and a log to keep track of your hours and what you’ve done. Have another idea not listed? We’d love to hear– stop by the office and let’s talk.
Financial Aid: College can be expensive but we’re here to help you find ways to reduce the cost (we also offer free college courses on campus and online to give you a headstart with no debt attached). College resources can also be found here.
Helpful Websites: So many college resources…and 100 words you should know by graduation. And resume samples. Check it out.
Transferability of Course Credit/Courses:
- Keep track of what California’s UC A-G requirements you’ve completed with this form. You need them!
- Pupil Services: If you need a transfer permit to attend NMSS, find it here.
- Individual Graduation Plans: Keep track of ALL your NMSS credits here, it helps!
Graduation Requirements: Same forms, different place. Log for UC A-G classes and what you need to graduate NMSS.
Other Resources
Calendar: By month. As a blog!
Sports: Play big CIF sports on Gardena High teams.
Important Dates to Know
August 29: All School Beach Day!
Date to Register: As soon as possible!
Now that you have the resources, check out how fun it is to start high school at NMSS!
And it’s not too late! Our WASC-accredited school is enrolling now.
About NMSS
The New Millennium Secondary School (NMSS) is a tuition-free charter high school in Gardena, CA committed to preparing students to become life-long learners and dynamic leaders in the competitive 21st century. Our public high school students enjoy a small school education with big school sports and accredited community college classes. Enroll today.
