FAQs

  1. What does a school counselor at RHS do?

    • A school counselor is a professionally certified educator (in CT) working to maximize student success, promoting access and equity for all students. As vital members of the RHS team, school counselors create a school culture of success for all by helping students apply academic achievement strategies, manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills, ultimately planning for postsecondary options like college or the workforce. (ASCA's Role Statement)

  2. Why can't I just change my class at any point during the year?

    • At RHS, switching classes is always considered as the last possible option. While school counselors assist students with course selection, considering extra-help, tutoring, conferencing with the classroom teacher, reviewing time management strategies and other interventions must be employed first.

  3. What do I need to do to speak with my school counselor?

    • You can visit the School Counseling Center, which is towards the back of the main office. If the school counselor isn't there, they have QR codes that you scan with your phone and make on appointment on your Google Calendar. You can also email your school counselor, just check the PowerSchool portal...visit the "staff" page on this website for contact information.

  4. How can I get extended time for a class?

    • With your parent, reach out directly to your school counselor

  5. What is Naviance?

    • It is an online software program introduced to students early in their life at Ridgefield Public Schools. RHS uses it predominantly as a college/career search tool and a college application delivery system.

  6. I heard junior year is the most important year...is this true?

    • Absolutely not. Every year of high school has an impact on a student's overall GPA and colleges view each year. However, there are a number of events which occur for juniors that has led to this myth:

        • The initial transcript sent to colleges contains a GPA update after junior year final exams

        • The majority of U.S. high school students sit for their first SAT/ACT during this year

        • The greatest number of students taking an AP exam in a typical U.S. high school are in their junior year

  7. What are the counseling seminars?

    • In addition to occasional individual meetings, school counselors have the opportunity to meet with students in five consecutive sessions (according to grade level) of small group settings to cover academic, post-secondary and/or social emotional lessons. The lessons are geared towards developmental milestones associated with age groups, i.e. 9th grade material deals with transitions to high school while 11 and 12th grade focuses on careers and college applications.

  8. How is a school counselor different than a school psychologist or school social worker?

    • School counselors and school psychologists both provide services that support students and encourage healthy development. However, school psychologists and school social workers typically take different approaches than school counselors to help students achieve success in school. School counselors deliver basic services (academic, career, college and personal counseling) to a broad range of students, but school psychologists provide comprehensive mental health care services to specific students; some of these students may have mandated services from their support plan (Wake Forest University, 2021).

  9. How many credits do I need to graduate?

    • 25 in CT and see RHS' requirements below

  10. Do I need AP classes to get into college?

    • No. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are more rigorous than honors classes and carry a bit more weight when calculating a student's GPA. When scoring a 3 or higher, some colleges will allow a student to earn credit for those subjects. See the below item to search for colleges that currently accept AP credit. Go to https://ap.collegeboard.org/ for further information

  11. Some of the wealthiest people did not go to college, should I go to college?

    • True, some professional athletes, entertainers, entrepreneurs and others have not gone onto college, but "in 2019, the employment rate was higher for those with higher levels of educational attainment. For example, the employment rate was highest for 25- to 34-year-olds with a bachelor’s or higher degree (87 percent). The employment rate for those with some college2 (80 percent) was higher than the rate for those who had completed high school3 (74 percent), which was higher than the employment rate for those who had not completed high school (57 percent). The same pattern was observed among both sexes. For example, the employment rate for females was highest for those with a bachelor’s or higher degree (83 percent) and lowest for those who had not completed high school (39 percent)" (NCES, 2019).

12. What are the deadlines associated with college applications?

  • Early Decision (ED) plans are binding. A student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend this college or university. As such, students can only apply Early Decision to ONE school. Click on the link below for more information on applying Early Decision. http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/early

  • Early Action (EA) plans are nonbinding. Students receive an early response to their application but are not required to commit to the college or university until the normal reply date of May 1st. Click on the link below for more information on applying Early Action. http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/early

  • The idea behind Rolling Admissions (RA) is that it offers la large application window for students and that colleges respond to applicants as the applications com in instead of waiting until after a particular deadline. Click on the link below for more information on Rolling Admissions. https://ink.niche.com/rolling-admissions/

  • Regular Decision (RD) students submit an application by a specific date and they will receive a decision within a clearly stated period of time. Under this method, students may apply to other schools without restriction.

13. Does RHS honor counselor change requests?

    • Developing advocacy skills is one of the primary tasks of the adolescent years and having conversations that might feel uncomfortable does not mean that conversation should not happen - it just means that it might be uncomfortable and could be an opportunity for growth. The school counselors at RHS invite students to be honest and direct in a safe, supportive and empathic atmosphere to resolve any concerns and issues. RHS prefers that students stay with their school counselors and work through any differences.