Counseling Department Mission Statement
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
2026-2027 Counseling Parent/Guardian Evenings
All evening events are conducted 6:30-8:00pm, via Zoom unless indicated. Link provided in advance of the evening.
Recordings and slide decks, when available, are in the Recorded Presentations/Slide Decks drop down menu.
Senior Parent/Guardian Night Thursday, September 17th
Standardized Testing Thursday, October 8th w/ Compass Education Group
MEFA Financial Aid Night Tuesday, October 20th
GAP Year Planning Wednesday, January 6th, (tentative date) 7:00pm* (in collaboration with Wellesley High School)
Junior Family/Guardian Night Thursday, January 14th
Grade 8 Curriculum Night Thursday, January 28th (virtual if inclement weather)
Financial Aid Night Thursday, March 18th
News To Know
Last edited: 9/3/26
Welcome Back to the 26/27 Academic Year!
Schedules will be released on Thursday, August 27th. Information about requesting changes will be provided at that time.
Students can access a copy of their unofficial transcript by following these directions.
Community Service Arts Opportunity
We are happy to announce that the Needham Great Hall Concert Series will be starting up again with four wonderful concerts coming to Needham Town Hall this year.
In order to make the evening a success, we need YOU, NHS students!
You will have the opportunity to receive community service in the Arts by volunteering for forty hours of community service and becoming an USHER.
USHERING consists of a variety of things from collecting and scanning tickets, handing out programs, selling refreshments, warmly greeting audience members at the doors, helping at the merchandise table, and post-concert cleanup, and anything that will make the evening run smoothly.
And in the meantime, you get to hear 4 great, varied concerts. And sometimes you might get to interact with the performers themselves.
Here are the 4 concert dates for the upcoming year:
September 19, 2026
November 21, 2026
March 13, 2027
May 1, 2027
All the concerts are Saturday evening from roughly 6:30 to 10:00pm at Needham Town Hall.
In one year, you will receive ~14-15 hours of credit. That means in order to receive forty hours, you will need to volunteer for three years. We have had many Ushers volunteer for four years, even after they have received their needed forty hours because it is a fun job.
We would love you to come volunteer, be an usher, and part of our team.
Any question, for more info or to sign up, contact Margie Brodsky at margiebrodsky@yahoo.com