The primary role of a School Counselor is to help improve student outcomes in all aspects of their lives. School Counselors help students learn and apply academic achievement strategies, manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills, and plan for a multitude of postsecondary options. To learn more about the role of the School Counselor, please click here. 

School Counselors do not make mental health diagnoses. They do, however, use direct observation, input from parents, teachers and other staff, and information from the student to create a portrait of the student in the school environment. This information is used by the counselor in conjunction with the teachers to determine strategies to help the student to be more successful in as many facets of life as possible. 

School Counselors help students learn and apply academic achievement strategies, manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills, and plan for a multitude of postsecondary options. Through this, they are available to meet with students on a short term, as needed basis. Therapists and outside counselors work with clients to address long term goals and meet greater mental health needs. The School Counselor is an incredible asset to outside mental health professionals, and often work as a conduit for students who are in need of more consistent services. 

In addition to working with students, School Counselors also work to help parents and teachers solve problems, too. For example, they might help parents set up outside counseling for their child, or offer suggestions for problems that are happening at home. They might work with teachers to set up behavior plans for students who are having trouble behaving in class, or brainstorm different strategies to help a student get the most out of their classes. School Counselors, teachers, and parents often work in close collaboration to meet students' needs.  

Students are always able to stop in the counseling office, but there may be times where their School Counselor is not available. In those cases, students have a few options. They can email their school counselor, or they can schedule an appointment themselves by using the button on this page. This service is linked to live calendars so students can see the times that counselors are free.

 
*Please note that if a student is in immediate need of attention they should immediately find a trusted adult who can help connect them with resources. If this is in school, it may mean helping to find the school counselor. If it is outside of school, it may mean contacting a parent or calling 911 in emergency situations. The bottom line - if you or someone you know needs immediate help, don't wait. Contact a trusted adult immediately.

Students can see their School Counselor via self-referral, parental request, request of the counselor, administrative referral, and/or teacher or staff referral.  

There are currently six school counselors employed by the Mid Valley School District. At the Elementary Center, one school counselor works with grades K-2, and two school counselors alternate grade levels 3-6. At the Secondary Center, one school counselor works with grades 7-8, and two school counselors alternate grade levels 9-12, following their students to graduation.

Parents are notified at the discretion of the counselor. State law and ethical practice requires notification of appropriate adults (admin, parent, law enforcement, CPS, etc.) in instances of risk to self, risk to others, or if a student is in danger. Confidentiality is an important component of the student/counselor relationship, and the School Counselors at Mid Valley work very hard to maintain the trust of their students. 

Students will never be in trouble if they are called to see the School Counselor. There may be times where a student sees the School Counselor for a "negative" reason (peer conflict, behavior issues, academic struggles), but the intention is always to help a student navigate that struggle. If that struggle continues, the School Counselor may refer a student to administration, but only if consistent efforts are failing. School Counselors are meant to work as advocates for all students - to listen to all sides of every story and find the best possible solution for all parties involved. The School Counseling office is always meant to be a safe environment for all students. 

Mid Valley's CEEB code is 393103. This code is issued by Educational Testing Service and is used for SAT and ACT testing. College applications also may request the code. 

There is only one circumstance in which students may receive high school credit for a course taken in junior high. 8th grade students who pass the Algebra Keystone Exam will be awarded 1 high school math credit.

Students should consider the increased time needed to successfully handle the rigor of AP courses, and not select more AP courses than they can realistically handle. AP courses are college level courses. Students may enroll in any AP course for which they are qualified (most have strict pre-requisites to enroll), but should exercise judgment. There is no limit, but typically no more than two or three at any given time is suggested. 

The answer depends on each student and their individual skills, challenges and course load. Every student has different needs for academic preparation. Mid Valley suggests 1-2 hours minimum per school night. Students taking honors or AP courses will require additional study time. Study time is not simply homework. Students should review notes, work on projects, study for upcoming tests and quizzes, read, research, and more. College level studying is typically not assigned work, but practice to be ready for any examination. 

Dual Enrollment is an educational opportunity for students to earn college credit while still in high school. Additional information about Dual Enrollment can be found on the this page. 

According to the Mid Valley Course Selection Guide and Student Handbook:

"An honor roll is posted after each trimester. Students who have an Incomplete in any course are not be eligible for Honor Roll or High Honor Roll, unless approved by administration. Students who accumulate 4 or more unexcused absences per trimester or a cumulative number of 12 unexcused absences are not be eligible for Honor Roll or High Honor Roll status.

In order to qualify for high honors, the student must have a numerical average of 95 or higher and no grade lower than an 87 in any class.

In order to qualify for honors, the student must have a numerical average of 91 or higher and no grade lower than an 83 in any class.

In order for a senior student to be eligible for the Honor Graduate Award, the student MUST have maintained an overall average of 93% or higher for each of their four years in high school (minimum A- average)."