Student Resources
Welcome Pioneers!
At Sussman, we strive to provide our students with all of the tools they need to be successful. This page containes links to educational websites to further students’ knowledge along with other wellness and college and career resources.
We strongly advise students to always ask a parent or guardian for permission before using the internet and to always use safe practices. Now start researching and expand your knowledge!
Useful Links
Student Connect
Student Portal
SMS Library
A place for Sussman’s readers, writers, and researchers
Khan Academy
Want to keep your skills sharp? Prepping for the SAT? Check out Khan Academy!
Accelerated Reader Bookfinder
Wellness
Get Connected
StudentSquare
StudentSquare provides a simple and safe way for everyone at school and across the district to connect.
- Receive messages from school by email, text or mobile app.
- Send messages to your teachers and staff at school.
- Stay in the loop regarding late start days, extracurricular activities,
and class projects. - Subscribe to calendars, RSVP to events, complete forms, use sign-up
sheets and participate in groups.
StudentSquare can be used on any device. You can download the free mobile app for iOS (iPhone) or Android or use the desktop version at https://www.mystudentsquare.com/signin
WeTip: Confidential Reporting
Students are often afraid to report incidents for a multitude of reasons. WeTip’s Reporting System offers an anonymous way for students and their families to report various happenings like wellness concerns, vandalism, bullying and discrimination without fear.
Downey High School Transition Guide
The Transition Guide was created to highlight all the fantastic opportunities available at Downey High School. Students can begin exploring interests and begin mapping out their path towards college and/or career opportunities. The Transition Guide also contains all the information students and families need to connect with the various support staff and departments on campus.
Meet the administrative team, your counselors, ASB and Athletic Directors, and many other special program staff, all eagerly waiting to welcome you to Downey High School, Home of the Vikings!
Academic Resources
Harvey Mudd Collage Homework Help Hotline: Free over-the-phone math and science tutoring service.
https://www.hmc.edu/community-engagement/homework-hotline/
College & Career-Ready Resources
What are A-G Requirements?
To be eligible to enter a four-year public college (either the California State University or University of California systems), students must meet a series of course requirements called A through G (A-G). Students must take and pass the A-G course requirements – that is 15 specific high school courses with a grade of C or better.
- “A” History/Social Science – 2 years
- “B” English – 4 years
- “C” Mathematics – 3 years (4 years recommended)
- “D” Lab science – 2 years (3 years recommended)
- “E” Language other than English – 2 years of the same language (3 years recommended)
- “F” Visual and Performing Arts – 1 year
- “G” College-preparatory elective – 1 year
GPA Requirements
Students must earn at least the minimum GPA in all “a-g” or college-preparatory courses to APPLY to the UCs and Cal States (does not guarantee admission).
Cal State Universities: 2.0 gpa
UC’s: 3.0 gpa
BigFuture
BigFuture by the college Board gives students free, comprehensive college planning resources.
Career Zone California
Learn about yourself, the employment options available to you and the training that will prepare you for them.
EducationPlanner
Practical and easy-to-understand advice to help prepare students for the important decisions they will face in the future.
Roadtrip Nation
Empowers individuals to explore who they are and what they want to do with their lives.
You Visit
Explore over 600 colleges without ever leaving home.
Your Free Career Test
The free career tests in this resource are useful for students and adults for career exploration.
Live Animal Cams
Social-Emotional Resources
Wellness Tips
8 Ways to Build a Healthy Attendance Routine
As we get further into the school year, we know it can get easier to slow down in the mornings and be late for school. Although your family is back into a school routine, things start to get more and more hectic, especially as we near the holidays.By creating new...
Free Healthy ‘Boosts’ for Students Who Bring Lunch
School Lunch Week is October 14–18 Did you know that your child can grab free, healthy food from the cafeteria during lunchtime even if they brought food from home? Stop by the cafeteria to grab your free lunch! Students can receive a free lunch at any time, not just...
Why Kindness Matters
Can you think back to a time, maybe even recently, when someone showed you kindness? The way people treat one another matters, and a simple moment of kindness can truly change someone’s life in ways others don’t always realize. In Downey Unified, we deeply care about...
The Benefits of Attending School: Your Presence is Powerful
You may not realize how much regular school attendance benefits students, but it can be a strong indicator of future academic achievement and lays a strong foundation for students’ social skills and responsibility. Higher Academic Achievement Perhaps unsurprisingly,...
Minimize Your Stress As the New School Year Begins
The saying “time flies when you’re having fun” seems to be most accurate during the summer—it’s already August and time to get back into your family’s school year routine. For many students and parents/guardians, the next few weeks can be a rather chaotic time, but...
Supporting Students in Their Transitions from Elementary to Middle School
Moving up to middle school from elementary school can be a significant transition for students. They go from being comfortable as the oldest on campus in a space they’ve become familiar with, to stepping into new territory at a bigger school as the youngest on campus....
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