School Counseling

MISSION

The mission of the School Counseling Department is to provide comprehensive developmental school counseling services for all students. During their time at Canton High School, students will pursue and expand their abilities, interests, and aptitudes. Through their roles as a personal counselor, academic counselor, post-secondary counselor, consultant, and facilitator, the school counseling staff at Canton High School assists students in the process of self-discovery. The school counselors encourage each student to pursue the most appropriately challenging academic program he or she can handle with success. 

Each student meets in a seminar once per seven-day cycle for one term of the year. In seminar, school counselors work with small groups of students to proactively discuss developmentally appropriate issues. The seminars consist of vertically aligned lesson plans that build upon the middle school curriculum and are divided into three main units: academic, social/emotional, and career/college, incorporating both state and national standards for student growth and development.  Students are encouraged to meet individually with their counselors in addition to these group sessions in order to discuss any academic, social, or personal issues.

PREPARATION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Those students who plan to attend institutions of higher learning must explore, individually and in seminars, the requirements for admission to the schools of their choice. Students will use Naviance college and career planning software as they navigate this complex process. Generally speaking, both rigor of academic program and quality of achievement are critical factors in admission to schools of higher learning.

The wide array of four-year colleges, two-year colleges, technical colleges, and other formal academic programs differ greatly in their requirements for admission. While most institutions do not adhere specifically to rigid course requirements, many expect a candidate to have successfully completed at least 16-20 college preparatory courses chosen from among English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages. Four-year colleges and universities desire students who challenge themselves but not to the detriment of their academic performance.

Admission requirements for Massachusetts state colleges and universities are set by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. Students must complete the aforementioned 16 core courses including a minimum of four years of English, four years of math, three years of social studies (including US History), three years of science (including two laboratory sciences), and two years of a world language. Students must maintain a “B” average in these courses to be considered a strong candidate for admission to in-state public four-year colleges and universities.

Many college representatives visit Canton High School during the school year to meet with interested students. Students must receive permission from teachers in advance to miss class time to meet with a college admissions representative. Students are required to bring a pass signed by their teacher and are responsible for making up any missed work. The dates and times of these visits are posted on the Naviance website and the list of visiting college representatives are emailed to senior students and families the preceding Friday as a reminder for the visits scheduled the following week.

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING

The SAT is offered seven times each year to students who wish to take this exam. The SAT is an optional test for many colleges and universities throughout the country. The SAT Reasoning Test is a 2.5-hour test consisting of two sections, evidence-based reading and writing, and mathematics. Registration materials for these exams are available online at www.collegeboard.org. ACT is another college entrance exam that is accepted by all colleges and universities in lieu of the SAT. This test consists of English, reading, math, and science sections with an optional writing section. More information and registration materials are available at www.act.org. 

In October, Canton High School will host a school-based testing day where the Pre-ACT and The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) are administered as opportunities to take a practice college admissions test. The SAT is offered twice per year; in October as part of our school-based testing day, as well as a second school day each spring. 

Canton High School’s CEEB school code is 220-545

All students will meet with their school counselor in small groups once per cycle for one term; freshmen and seniors meet first term, sophomores and juniors meet third term. These seminars are designed to address the developmental needs of adolescents, maximize their learning experiences and help them plan for the future.

SCHOOL COUNSELING SEMINAR

Course Name: 9th Grade Seminar

Course # 961

Level: Unleveled

Grade Level: 9

Credits: .5

The primary focus of this first term seminar is the acclimation of ninth graders to Canton High School. Students meet during the first term to become familiar with their new school, engage in discussions with peers, and to understand the role of the school counselors at the high school level. Counselors review major school policies related to attendance and academic integrity, graduation requirements, understanding high school transcripts, getting involved in various clubs and activities, and discuss the significance of goal-setting and future planning. 

Course Name: 10th Grade Seminar

Course # 962

Level: Unleveled

Grade Level: 10

Credits: .5

This third term program focuses on self-assessment and career exploration. Students use the feature of the school counseling department’s Naviance software package to explore personality types, career interests, and possible college selections. In addition, students assess their academic and extracurricular participation and progress, their strengths and weaknesses, and begin discussion of the variety of post-secondary options available. Students will also learn about the purpose and schedule of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System.

Course Name: 11th Grade Seminar

Course # 963

Level: Unleveled   

Grade Level: 11

Credits: .5

This third term program focuses on post-high school planning with particular emphasis on the college search process. Through a systematic approach, students come to understand what they are looking for in a college as well as what colleges look for in applicants. Students learn how to determine which colleges are an academic fit and to understand the importance of investigating colleges with a wide range of selectivity. Techniques for investigation, tours, interviews, and narrowing down one’s list of colleges are also discussed so that students are prepared to make the best use of the summer for continuing their research. Students enrolled in Career Planning do not take 11th Grade Seminar.

Course Name: 12th Grade Seminar

Course # 964

Level: Unleveled

Grade Level: 12

Credits: .5

The primary focus of 12th Grade Seminar is to support students in creating realistic and appropriate post-secondary plans for a range of interests. Students will gain an understanding of the college application process. In addition to refining their list of potential schools, students learn about the different ways to apply, their roles and others’(parent/guardian/School Counselor) in the process, and discuss supplemental materials, such as the personal essay, recommendation letters, standardized tests, etc. Lastly, students will gain an overview of the financial aid process and ways to help pay for higher education. Students who wish to pursue options other than four-year colleges after graduation will explore various career options, trade schools, the military, and community college opportunities to reach their long-term goals.

CAREER EDUCATION

Course Name: Career Planning

Course # 920

Level: CP

Grade Level: 11-12

Credits: 3

This one-semester course is designed to equip 11th-grade students with the essential knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about their academic and professional futures. This course helps students develop their personal career strategies and find the appropriate college/work path. Students will engage in self-assessment, career exploration, and practical planning to create a personalized post-high school roadmap.

In addition, this course provides students with the essential knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to successfully navigate the complex college search and application process. It centers on finding the best-fit institution—one that aligns with the student's academic profile, personal interests, financial needs, and career aspirations. 

Through collaborative work with the teacher and other students, the students will create a well-thought-out and thoroughly researched preliminary list of potential schools and understand all the steps that go into the process.

The students also develop skills and competencies, including preparing a professional resume, enhancing their public speaking skills, developing interviewing techniques, performing an informational interview with a community member and more.