School Counseling
The Medfield High School Counseling Office is comprised of five school counselors whose goal is to work with students on making a smooth transition to the high school, to recognize and fulfill their academic, emotional, and social needs, and to successfully transition out of high school towards their future plans. Over the course of a student’s high school experience, the school counselors work with students both in individual and group classroom settings to provide them with the support and resources they need regarding academics, jobs and careers, and future planning.
The school counseling office strives to keep families informed about their work with students.
The school counselors maintain a website for general information, https://sites.google.com/email.medfield.net/mhs-guidance-department/home?authus
To increase awareness about the role of a school counselor and stay connected with our school community, the school counselors have created a blog: http://medfieldguidance.blogspot.com
The school counselors are regularly using social media (Twitter, Instagram) to communicate with the Medfield community.
The school counseling department utilizes the web-based program Naviance to assist students and families with interest inventories, and future planning.
The school counseling office also provides students with information about current job opportunities, peer tutoring, scholarships, and mental health resources.
Over the course of high school, the counselors deliver a developmental curriculum to students, which aligns with the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for school counseling.
Grade 9
Orientation to the high school
Introduction to support resources
Goal setting
Introduction to academic vocabulary (transcript, grade point average)
Course selection
SOS Signs of Suicide Prevention Program
Grade 10
Vocational unit
Interview skills training & résumé writing
Career exploration
Course selection
Grade 11
Future planning information sessions (for students & parents)
Standardized testing timelines
Post-secondary options
College searches & visits
College application terminology & overview
Course selection
Grade 12
Continued future planning
Financial aid & scholarships
Transition out of high school
SOS Second Act: Life Beyond High School
School counselors are available to students during the school day, as well as before and after school by appointment. Counselors are available for individual counseling, parent-teacher conferences, classroom guidance and larger group information sessions. Parents and teachers may refer students to a counselor, or students may choose to seek out their counselor independently. Please contact your child’s school counselor at any point with any questions or concerns.
STUDENT RECORDS
The student record consists of the transcript and the student’s temporary record, which may include standardized test scores, GPA (when applicable), medical records, school-sponsored extracurricular activities in which a student took part, and evaluations by teachers, counselors, or other staff. Any student, regardless of age, has the right to receive a copy of the transcript. Parents or legal guardians, and any student who is 14 years of age or older or who has entered 9th grade, has access to all student records.
The regulations pertaining to student records, 603 CMR 23.00, are available in the school counseling office.
STANDARDIZED TESTS
The Medfield High School will notify students and parents each year about standardized testing programs and research studies on students to be conducted during the year.
College Entrance Exams
Several options are offered at Medfield High School:
The PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TEST (PSAT) is offered to high school juniors across the country in mid-October. It serves two purposes: (1) to give practice before taking the SAT test, as the kinds of questions that appear on the PSAT are the same as those on the SAT test, and (2) to provide an opportunity for very high scorers to become National Merit Semi-Finalists and be eligible for scholarship money.
The SAT test is given at MHS in October and March. Information regarding tests dates, sites and registration is available on-line at www.collegeboard.org
SAT SUBJECT TESTS are given in specific secondary school subjects. Not all colleges require these tests. Colleges may use them for admission, course placement, or to grant exemption of enrolled freshmen from a specific required course. SAT Subject Tests are typically not taken until June of junior year or fall of senior year.
The ACT is a college entrance exam that is a content-based assessment. The ACT is offered at MHS in February. Questions on the ACT include English, reading, math and science. The ACT offers an optional writing section as well. For additional information on the ACT test dates, sites and registration please visit www.actstudent.org .
The ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM is based on published course descriptions and curriculum guides through the College Board. Please refer to the Medfield High School Program of Studies for further information about AP courses at MHS. AP exams are administered during the first and second weeks in May.
For further information about standardized testing, please contact the school counseling office or visit
SECTION 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the rights of individuals with disabilities. Public schools must provide accommodations and services for students with special needs. Students in preschool, elementary, secondary and adult education programs and activities are entitled to receive accommodations or services, depending on their needs and the environment in which they are functioning.
School districts must make reasonable accommodations to allow students an opportunity to participate in school and school-related activities. Disabled students should receive services that are equal to and as effective as those that other students receive. It is not the intent of Section 504 to provide program(s) that are fundamentally different from existing opportunities.
In most instances, appropriate interventions for individuals found disabled under Section 504 occur within the regular education setting.
Section 504 is not an aspect of special education; It is the responsibility of the comprehensive general education system. Principals and superintendents of schools are primarily responsible for its implementation within districts. Classroom teachers are primarily responsible for its implementation within their classrooms. Special education administrators and special education teachers may be participants but are not ultimately responsible for Section 504 in all schools.
Students who are eligible under Section 504 are serviced by general educators with accommodations as specified on a 504 ACCOMMODATION PLAN developed by school staff.
Parental notices and evaluations must be in the native language of the student and parent(s)/guardians(s).
Districts must maintain documentation regarding the persons involved, the evaluation data used, and the options considered.
Districts must advise the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student of parental and student rights under Section 504.
Districts must comply with those rights in all instances.
RISE (Resilience in Student Efficacy) is a general education program overseen by the Director of Social and Emotional Learning, Dr. David Worthley. The program also maintains a licensed teacher who serves as the Academic Coordinator. RISE is designed to support students as they transition back to their mainstream educational setting after a significant absence, be it medical, emotional or other. This process is managed by RISE staff and student services, in conjunction with faculty and administration, and to ensure an academically and emotionally supportive transition. RISE also works closely with our student services departments to offer proactive support/resources to students and families.
For more information about the RISE program, please visit: