Academic counseling is available to all students to help them understand their individual strengths, to set goals, and to assist them in planning an appropriate program of studies. Counselors, teachers and parents will work together to support and encourage all students in reaching their full potential.

Some of the areas in which a counselor may work with students and parents are:

• planning a four-year high school program relevant to students' interests, abilities and post high school plans

• assisting students in selecting appropriate courses each year

• counseling students experiencing academic difficulty and developing strategies for improvement, including referral to various academic resources at the high school

• being available to meet with parents/guardians of all students

• reviewing credit status leading to graduation

• being available to meet with students and parents to review standardized test results

Personal counseling is available to all students to assist them in managing the normal developmental issues that arise during adolescence. School counselors help students to enhance self-understanding and to learn effective problem solving skills so they will be better equipped to deal with the variety of concerns that high school students encounter. 

Some of the areas in which a counselor may work with students and parents are:

• individual and group counseling

• referrals to school social workers, school psychologists, or an appropriate community agency

Career advising is designed to help students begin the process of exploring various career options moving toward the ultimate goal of specific career selection. Recognizing that career development begins with self-knowledge, the goal of many activities is to help students learn about themselves and, subsequently, to match this knowledge with information about the world of work. By senior year, students should have gained knowledge and experience to help them develop a general career direction.

Counselors assist student in this process through the following activities:

• individual counseling and classroom lessons at all grade levels to identify and clarify each student’s interests, abilities and goals

• conferences scheduled with all juniors to develop post-high school plans

• use of College and Career Center resources including computer software, reference books and career pamphlets

• administration and interpretation of career interest inventories, aptitude assessments, career exploration resources

• coordination of career development in conjunction with classroom teachers, school counselors, and the career center

College counseling is offered to all students seeking post-high school education. Designed to help students identify and clarify their abilities, interests and goals. College counseling also assists students in making appropriate educational decisions. Students will continue to draft their resume to assist in preparing for the college application processions. The formal college planning process begins with classroom lessons in the junior year conducted by the school counselors.

These sessions continue through their senior year as needed. In order to assist students fully, the following activities take place:

• students are encouraged to take interest inventories and complete career search assessments in a timely fashion

• students are encouraged to take appropriate standardized tests

• students are encouraged to utilize the facilities of the career center, which includes computer-based college search programs, college catalogs and Internet resources through NAVIANCE

• in the junior year students are scheduled for an appointment with their counselor

• students and parents should attend college nights, college fairs and financial aid programs, as appropriate

• all juniors and their parents are invited to a Junior College Planning Night that takes place in the winter in the FHS auditorium