Counseling Department Mission Statement
The Needham High Counseling Department is committed to advocating for all students and to being an integral part of the NHS community. Counselors assist and guide students and families with academic planning, social/emotional issues, post-secondary planning, and many other areas in a student's high school experience.
NHS Counseling Core Values
Value and respect for all
Be knowledgeable and current in all aspects of School Counseling
Be approachable and accessible to all students and families.
Our Guiding Philosophy
Find Balance - high school can bring a lot of excitement as well as stress, so it is important to take care of yourself and build in time for fun and the things in your life that bring you joy
Academic Success - NHS is full of wonderful people and resources! Take advantage of them, and be sure to put your best effort forward
Self-Advocacy - developing relationships with your teachers each year is crucial to a positive high school experience. Your teachers want to know you and help you, so get to know them and let them get to know you!
Extracurricular Involvement (in and/or outside of school) - think about how you can get involved and find opportunities to explore your interests, skills, and leadership!
Personal Growth - adjust study skills as needed, challenge yourself, learn to be a good self-advocate, grow your independence.
Plan for the Future - thinking about life after high school can be both scary and exciting. Work with your counselors to take the necessary steps in exploring and creating a picture of what you'd like to do after you graduate. Each of you are on a unique path, and we will help you develop a plan.
Mark Your Calendars
2024-2025 Counseling Parent Evenings
(all evening events are conducted 6:30-8:00pm, via Zoom unless indicated. Link provided in advance of the evening.)
Senior Parent Night Thursday, September 12
Standardized Testing Thursday, October 10th 2024
GAP Year Planning Tuesday, January 7th (in collaboration with Wellesley High School)
Junior Parent Night Thursday, January 16th
Grade 8 Parent Night Wednesday, February 5th (snow date February 12th)
Financial Aid Night Thursday, March 20th
News to Know
Last edited: 7/3/24
A running list of activities and opportunities that you may be interested in. Currently most of these are summer program opportunities.
Plugged In Band Program launches new programming: Mini Music Making, which offers short term, easy access, workshops in between Plugged In’s traditional spring, fall, and summer sessions.
These workshops are the perfect way to try something new, to continue something you love, and to socialize during semester breaks. Plugged In is offering four distinct workshops starting August 5 - Songwriting, Drum Circle, The Songwriting of Taylor Swift, and Intro to Band Class. Each Mini Music Making program is offered multiple times throughout each break so enrolling in several of the classes is easy.
There are still openings for Music That Matters: Summer Camp and Evening Band Classes from July 8 to August 2. Keep your music skills sharp over the summer or learn a new instrument through our Private Lessons.
Please visit www.pluggedinband.org for more information or to register for Mini Music Making Workshops, Music That Matters: Summer Day Camp and Summer Evening Band Classes.
Plugged In has been the premier provider of non-competitive, heart-centered music education in the Metrowest region for over twenty years. All are welcome to become part of the Plugged In community, which values friendship, personal growth, and philanthropy just as much as rocking out.
At Plugged In, students thrive in a learning environment that prioritizes individualized teaching approaches which center and accommodate all musicians. Those of all abilities flourish under the supervision of teachers adept at empowerment. Through the power of music, each student receives a transformative education that doubles as an exercise in inclusivity and civic engagement.