The Role of the school counselor
School counselors at AACPS address prevention, intervention and student developmental needs through a comprehensive school counseling program to ensure that students know:
they have dignity and worth
they have a right to participate in a comprehensive school counseling program
their ethnic, cultural, racial, sexual differences and special needs will be considered in their school counseling experience
School counselors will address the academic, career and social emotional development of all students with the goal of ensuring that all students are prepared with and have access to the knowledge and skills to contribute at the highest level.
Middle school counselors assist with transitioning new students, including advising parents and students on course selection and challenges related to early adolescents. Basing their program solidly in Social Emotional Learning competencies, they provide classroom lessons and small group interventions on topics such as conflict resolution and school success skills pertinent to middle school age young people. They meet individually with students in need of additional support with interpersonal issues. Middle school counselors identify, track and provide assistance to students who are in danger of failing a subject, including organization, study skills and goal-setting lessons. As students prepare to transition to high school, there is a focus on college and career exploration that lays a foundation for post-high school planning. To find out more the role of middle school counselors, click here.