Guidance and Counseling Department

The Guidance and Counseling Department provides a variety of services in three areas: personal/social, career/college and academic counseling. Within these three broad areas are nine specific services: guidance seminars, counseling, teacher consultation, resource coordination, information delivery, parent education/consultation, placement, evaluation/planning and records/testing. While students are the primary focus of these activities, counselors also work closely with parents, teachers and administrators.

Counselors spend the majority of their time working directly with students. Through individual counseling and guidance seminars, counselors address the developmental needs of students and provide crisis intervention. They are also in frequent communication with faculty, staff and parents in order to coordinate services and provide an optimum school experience for all students.

Counselors work closely with the Special Education Department, serving as referral agents and as members of evaluation teams. Counselors coordinate the 504 process and monitor the implementation of the plans. They also meet regularly with the Student Support Teams that are composed of the assistant principals, school psychologist and special educator to share information and develop strategies to meet the specific needs of individual students.

Any student who wishes to meet with his/her counselor individually should make an appointment in advance. In emergencies, however, a student should feel free to come in to see his/her counselor without advance notice. If the counselor is not available, the student should schedule an appointment or leave a note. Parents are encouraged to use the guidance services, calling (781-446-6290 x4608) with questions or requesting a conference when appropriate.