BHS School counseling

Mission Statement

The Branford High School School Counseling Department is dedicated to fostering the successful academic, personal and vocational growth of every student. Through the developmental counseling process, each student is given individual attention and encouragement to achieve his or her unique potential, toward becoming a life-long learner and a contributing member of society.

Branford High School

185 East Main Street, Branford, CT 06405

Phone: 203-315-6730 Fax: 203-315-5605

counseling staff

SCHOOL COUNSELORS

Mrs. Aimee Harkins, Department Leader

Grade 9: A-C, Grade 10: A-Dil, Grade 11: A-C, Grade 12: A-D

aharkins@branfordschools.org

Ms. Amy Olszewski

Grade 9: D-Ki, Grade 10: Dim-Lee, Grade 11: D-Lo, Grade 12: E-Lo

aolszewski@branfordschools.org

Mrs. Ashley Topazio

Grade 9: Ko-O, Grade 10: Lef-Pan, Grade 11: Lu-Pl, Grade 12: Lu-Ph

atopazio@branfordschools.org

Mrs. Kelianna O'Brien

Grade 9: P-Z, Grade 10: Pao-Z, Grade 11: Po-Z, Grade 12: Pi-Z

kobrien@branfordschools.org

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CAREER PATHWAYS COORDINATOR

Ms. Tina Valaouras, tvalaouras@branfordschools.org

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ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Our secretaries are available to help with a variety of topics including working papers, transcript requests, scheduling appointments, password resets, etc.

Ms. Nancy Errante, BHS Registrar/School Counseling Secretary nerrante@branfordschools.org

Ms. Nicole Kikosicki, School Counseling Secretary

nkikosicki@branfordschools.org

post secondary planning

School Counselors assist students throughout their four years at BHS with preparing for life after high school. Programs are planned each year to assist with this process. During senior year, school counselors work one on one with students and families to finalize post-secondary plans. Seniors and their families should make individual appointments with counselors to solidify plans, gain access to resources, and make certain that all necessary steps are being taken.

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POST SECONDARY PLANNING GUIDE

Click here to view BHS's Post Secondary Planning Guide

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COLLEGE SEARCH

Naviance
- Use Naviance to search for colleges and gain access to information about acceptances based on BHS statistics
- If you need your Naviance password to be reset, contact your school counselor
College Board
- Use College Board to search for colleges and gain access to information about acceptances based on national statistics
College Informational Sessions
- Juniors and seniors should attend scheduled college informational sessions with admissions officers the College & Career Center. Check Naviance for dates and to sign up.
College Visits
- College visits will give students the best understanding of their likes and dislikes about a campus. Schedule tours with admissions offices, or complete virtual tours.

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BHS COLLEGE PROCESS

1. All seniors should make an appointment with their school counselor in the fall to discuss post-secondary plans. Completed student and parent questionnaires (below) should be brought to this appointment for the counselor recommendation.

2. Students complete Common Application (www.commonapp.org) or individual college applications

3. Students link Common Application to Naviance (passwords can be reset in the Counseling Office)

4. Students send standardized test scores to colleges through testing websites (www.collegeboard.org or www.actstudent.org)

5. Students ask teachers for letters of recommendation. Teachers upload recommendations to Naviance.

6. Students complete Records Request Form and submit to Ms. Errante, the Registrar. To access this form, email Ms. Errante at nerrante@branfordschools.org

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PARENT & STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRES

Students and parents complete questionnaires for school counselors to write college recommendations. Students should schedule a meeting with their counselor to discuss plans and submit questionnaires before the counselor writes a recommendation.

Student Questionnaire

Parent Questionnaire

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COLLEGE PLANNING PROGRAMS

Senior College Planning Night Slideshow 2024

Senior College Planning Night 2024 Recording

Financial Aid Slideshow 2024

Junior College Planning Night Slideshow 2024

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NCAA

Students interested in playing a Division I or Division II sport in college must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse during their junior year.

https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/

FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS

Paying for college can be overwhelming! Below are some resources to outline and assist with the process. For individual financial questions and to review specific situations, we recommend contacting individual college financial aid offices or a personal financial adviser.

FINANCIAL AID

FAFSA

- FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid
- Completed in senior year for access to federal aid by all students applying to college
- Available October 1st of each year

CSS Profile

- CSS Profile – CSS Profile | College Board
- Completed in senior year for non-federal aid
- Only required by certain colleges
- Opens October 1st of each year

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SCHOLARSHIPS

Seniors should check Naviance for updated scholarship lists
www.fastweb.com
www.scholarships.com
View the Scholarship section of the Post-Secondary Planning Guide for additional resources

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RESOURCES

Financial Aid Planning Night Power Point 2024

7 Things You Need Before Filling Out the FAFSA

testing

BHS offers the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams. Testing is often part of the college process, however testing is also used to gather baseline data about student's strengths and weaknesses. For individual questions regarding testing and what to send to colleges, please contact your school counselor.

PSAT

www.collegeboard.org

Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors at BHS take the PSAT during the school day.

- Freshmen and sophomores take the PSAT as practice and to obtain baseline information about strengths and areas for continued growth.
- Juniors take the PSAT as practice for the SAT and may qualify for National Merit Scholarships based on their scores.

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SAT

www.collegeboard.org

All juniors take the SAT during the school day - no need to register!
BHS is a test site for most administrations of the Saturday SAT
- Students register online at www.collegeboard.org
- Test Dates - click here
Colleges will accept either the SAT or ACT for admission

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ACT

www.actstudent.org

BHS is a test site for most administrations of the Saturday ACT
- Students register online at www.actstudent.org
Colleges will accept either the SAT or ACT for admission

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AP EXAMS

BHS offers AP exams in May each year
Contact the BHS AP Coordinator, Ms. Olszeweski, if you have questions
- aolszewski@branfordschools.org

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TEST OPTIONAL POLICIES

Many schools do not require SAT or ACT scores. Check individual college websites for policies. Also visit www.fairtest.org for a list of schools and their test optional policies.

course selection

Students choose classes for the following year with their school counselor during second semester. Courses are selected based on prerequisite recommendations, graduation requirements, and the individual goals of each student.

Course descriptions and academic polices and requirements are listed in the Program of Studies.

GRADE 8

Counselors visit Walsh Intermediate School and meet individually with each student and family to introduce them to BHS and choose courses for their freshman year. Appointment times are mailed home to parents.

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GRADE 9 & 10

Counselors meet with freshmen and sophomores individually in the spring to choose courses for the following year. Students are encouraged to speak with their parents and teachers about their choices prior to the meetings. Post secondary plans and goal setting are also discussed at these meetings.

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GRADE 11

Counselors meet individually with students and parents to choose courses for senior year. Appointment times are sent electronically to parents. Post secondary plans and goal setting are also discussed at these meetings.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Information regarding graduation requirements can be found in The BHS Guide and the Program of Studies. In general, students must complete 25 credits in specific areas, and complete 40 hours of community service.

The Guide

Program of Studies

forms

Absenteeism Form

To be completed for each full day absence and returned to the Attendance Office

Alumni Transcript Request Form

Community Service Form

Parent Questionnaire

Used for school counselor college recommendation, and should be submitted at senior college appointment with counselor

Student Questionnaire

Used for school counselor college recommendation, and should be submitted at senior college appointment with counselor

School Based Health Center Enrollment Form

Gain access to an APRN and social worker at this satellite clinic of Yale New Haven Hospital, located at BHS and free of charge to BHS students

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