Mission Statement

The Highland Springs High School Counseling Department is dedicated to fostering a comprehensive and inclusive program that aligns with the school's mission to build strong, positive relationships and prepare students for life readiness whether Enrolled, Enlisted, or Employed.

Our mission is to respect and nurture the individual needs of each student within a caring and creative environment, emphasizing their social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. As advocates and champions for students, we commit to intentional relationship development, shared accountability, and innovative education.

Through collaborative efforts, we aim to provide a dynamic School Counseling Program focused on academic planning, personal and social development, and college and career readiness, ensuring each student achieves their full potential.

School Counselors Amplify Student Success

Each year during the first full week of February, schools across the nation celebrate National School Counseling Week, a time dedicated to recognizing the vital role school counselors play in supporting student achievement, well-being, and long-term success. The 2026 theme, “School Counselors Amplify Student Success,” highlights the intentional, behind-the-scenes and front-facing work counselors do every day to ensure students are supported academically, socially, emotionally, and postsecondary-ready.

At Highland Springs High School, this theme is more than a message, it reflects our daily practice, our purpose, and our commitment to students and families.

How the HSHS School Counseling Department Amplifies 

Student Success

The Highland Springs High School School Counseling Department works collaboratively to remove barriers, strengthen opportunities, and empower students to thrive. We believe student success is amplified when counseling services are proactive, data-informed, and rooted in strong relationships.

Our counselors serve as advocates, advisors, and champions, supporting students through:

• Academic planning and progress monitoring

• Social-emotional development and wellness

• College, career, and postsecondary readiness

• Equitable access to resources and opportunities

• Individual counseling, small groups, and classroom instruction

By meeting students where they are and helping them envision where they can go, we amplify their voices, choices, and outcomes.

Impact In Action

At HSHS, school counselors don’t work in isolation we partner with students, families, teachers, administrators, and community stakeholders to create a comprehensive support system. Our work is aligned with the ASCA National Model and tailored to the unique needs of our school community.

Through intentional programming, responsive services, and schoolwide initiatives, we:

• Support students in navigating academic milestones and graduation requirements

• Provide guidance during critical transitions and decision-making moments

• Promote resilience, self-advocacy, and confidence

• Help students clarify goals and take meaningful steps toward their future

Every conversation, lesson, and intervention is an opportunity to amplify student success not just for today, but for life beyond high school.

Summer Academy Registration 

Summer Academy Brochure

Students currently in the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade during the 2025-2026 school year, who did not pass one of their core academic courses, will need to enroll in a credit recovery course if interested in taking summer school courses. Please know that credit recovery courses are only available to students who need to repeat the course. These courses are not an option for students taking the class for initial credit (taking a course for the first time).

Only Seniors graduating in the Summer of 2026 may take a maximum of 2 credit recovery courses and one of them MUST be either English 12 or Government. You must complete a separate registration form for each Summer Academy Course.  For instance, if you want to register for two courses, you will need to complete the form twice.

Students who need a verified credit for graduation will participate in the SOL test for that course, arranged by their school.

High School Summer Academy is June 8, 2026 - July 16, 2026.  There is no class on June 18th or July 2nd, but there will be a make up day on Friday, July 10, 2026, via virtual instruction.  

HCPS Summer Registration window will open on March 16, 2026. The deadline to register is 3:00 pm on June 3, 2026.

High School Tuition:  

• Henrico Resident One Course $200  |  Henrico Residents Two Courses $300*

• Non-Henrico Residents One Course $600  |  Non-Henrico Residents Two Courses $950 

• Henrico Resident Drivers Education $150  |  Non-Resident $390

*The two-course discount only applies if the same student takes both courses and both courses are Credit Recovery. This discount does not apply to Online Health/PE or Drivers Education courses.

Payment can be made through https://osp.osmsinc.com/HenricoVA/. Look for this description: "Summer Academy 2026 HS Tuition: Henrico Resident."

HSHS Summer Academy Registration 

Virtual Virginia Registration 

HCPS students interested in enrolling in acceleration courses or intial credit courses (taking the class for the FIRST time) can enroll in either Virtual Virginia Summer Cohorts and can take a total of 2 courses MAX during the summer. These courses can be taken one course per cohort/term. Students should be self-motivated and task-driven students in rising 9-12th grade who have met prerequisites and are driven to spend 4-6 hours per day working online.

SUMMER COHORT 1: 

Registration Window: January 5-June 3, 2026 (12PM Deadline)  Instruction: June 2- July 10, 2026  

SUMMER COHORT 2:

Registration Window: January 5-June 17, 2026 (12PM Deadline)  Instruction: June 16 - July 24, 2026  

ENROLLMENT FEE: $200 per student, per course for Credit Recovery and $375 per student per course for initial credit. 

Enrollment fees must be paid at the time of course registration and must be made using a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover card.  If a student’s summer session enrollment fee is not paid within two calendar days of enrollment, the student may be withdrawn from the course and must be enrolled again.  If a student’s Summer Session enrollment fee is not paid by noon on the individual cohort payment deadline, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the course(s) by Virtual Virginia. Current HCPS students interested in enrolling in acceleration courses through Virtual Virginia should contact Ms. Cooke (smcooke@henrico.k12.va.us) or Mr. Otley (mjotley@henrico.k12.va.us) to assist with the registration process.

Withdrawal Information (Withdrawal Deadline 10:00 AM on the dates listed below)

Withdrawal from a Virtual Virginia Summer Session course must be submitted by the enrolling school who registered the student to Virtual Virginia.  HCPS parents must submit the request to withdraw their student, in writing, to their student’s HCPS School Counseling Office.

SUMMER COHORT 1: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 (HCPS Deadline)

* Please note: Virtual Virginia’s deadline is Friday, June 5, 2026, but HCPS must submit the request and complete the withdrawal process to Virtual Virginia on behalf of the student. Also, the HCPS Summer schedule is Monday-Thursday, and offices are closed on Fridays. 

SUMMER COHORT 2: Monday. June 15, 2026 (HCPS Deadline)

* Please note: Virtual Virginia’s deadline is Monday, June 22, 2026, but HCPS must submit the request and complete the withdrawal process to Virtual Virginia on behalf of the student. Also, the HCPS Summer schedule is Monday-Thursday, and offices are closed on June 18-19, 2026.

No refunds will be issued for enrollments withdrawn after the corresponding dates above.  Students who are withdrawn after those dates will have the withdraw grade (WP – Withdraw Passing or WF – Withdraw Failing) reflected on their HCPS transcript.

If you are NOT currently an HCPS Student, you will need to complete Pre-Registration with Ms. Hannon our Registrar prior to VV Enrollment. 

Click Here for Virtual Virginia Inquiry

How Can You Reach Us?

Student & Parent Needs Assessment

Springer Nation, 

We need your HELP! Completing the student and parent needs assessment is an essential step in ensuring that our school counseling department designs and implements programming that truly meets the needs of our community. The feedback we receive provides valuable insight into the academic, social-emotional, and postsecondary priorities of our students and families, allowing us to identify trends, address gaps, and allocate resources effectively. By engaging both students and parents in this process, we are better equipped to develop intentional programming, interventions, and supports that foster student success, strengthen family-school partnerships, and create a more responsive and impactful counseling program. Please check out the QR Codes and URL Links Below: 

Community Service

• Life Ready Learning is when experiences inside and outside of the school day help develop students’ readiness for the world beyond graduation.

• To submit hours you will go to the HSHS Google Form (https://bit.ly/HSHSLRSEAL) and complete the reflection questions.  After you fill out the form you will receive an email as to whether your hours are approved or need revising as well as the total number of hours you have accrued during your time at HSHS. 

• To receive the LifeReady Seal on your diploma you will need to complete 80 hours by April 1st of your senior year.

HCPS website with more information