About

Why School Counseling?

Many recent studies and research have shown that Social and Emotional Learning are better predictors of success in the workforce.  

“Today’s young people are living in an exciting time with an increasingly diverse society, new technologies, and expanding opportunities. To help ensure they are prepared to become the next generation of parents, workers, leaders and citizens, every student needs support, guidance and opportunities during childhood -- a time of rapid growth and change. Children face unique challenges, both personally and developmentally, that have an impact on academic achievement."

– “Toward a Blueprint for Youth: Making Positive Youth Development a National Priority,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Developmental Needs

The elementary years are a time when students begin to develop their academic self-concept and their feelings of competence and confidence as learners. They are beginning to develop decision-making, communication and life skills, as well as character values.  It is also a time when students develop and acquire attitudes toward school, self, peers, social groups and family. Comprehensive developmental school counseling programs provide education, prevention and intervention services, which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives.  Early identification and intervention of children’s academic and social/emotional needs is essential in removing barriers to learning and in promoting academic achievement.  The knowledge, attitudes and skills students acquire in the areas of academic, career and social development during these elementary years serve as the foundation for future success.

School counselors are professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population.  School counselors don’t work in isolation; rather they are integral to the total educational program.  They provide leadership that engages all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help students achieve school success.  School Counselors align with the school’s mission to support the academic achievement of all students as they prepare for the ever-changing world of the 21st century.  This mission is accomplished through the design, development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive, developmental and systematic school counseling program.  ASCA’s Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success are the foundation for this work.  The ASCA National Model: A Framework For School Counseling Programs (ASCA, 2002), with its data-driven and results-based focus, serves as a guide for today’s school counselor who is uniquely trained to implement this program.

School years set the tone for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skill necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners. Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, school counselors work as a team with the school staff, parents and the community to create a caring climate and atmosphere.  By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, school counselors can help all children achieve academic success.  School counselors hold a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling.  Maintaining certification includes on-going professional development to stay current with education reform and challenges facing today’s students.  Professional association membership enhances the school counselor’s knowledge and effectiveness.

In our changing world:

• By age 18, today’s young people have faced more decisions than their grandparents faced in a lifetime.

• Several families move each year.

• Everyone faces career decisions.

• Children and families feel a gamut of emotions that they may or may not understand.

There are far greater risks to youth today than in previous generations.

• Young people face critical decisions about identity.

• Young people face increasing violence in our society.

• Social Media is misused. 

• Some young people face hopelessness that can lead to

• self-destructive behavior.

Young adolescents affected by these and other issues are not able to achieve at their full academic potential. The counselor’s primary task is to help them become better learners by providing a comprehensive program that includes a guidance curriculum, individual planning, responsive services and system support.

Counseling Services

Counselors help students gain the self-knowledge necessary to become independent and responsible decision-makers, as well as promote high academic achievement, good citizenship and a positive school climate in the following ways:

• Academic counseling

• Assistance with transitioning to Middle School

• Classroom presentations

• Conflict Management

• Crisis counseling

• Parent/Guardian Education

• Parent/Teacher consultation

• Referral to community agencies

• School-wide prevention activities

• Short-term individual counseling

• Small group counseling

Confidentiality

When a student, parent, or staff member discusses a concern with a counselor, the discussed information is considered confidential (within the limits of the law) and will not be released to others, except as authorized by the individual involved.

4 Components in a School Counseling Program