9-12 Guidance Curriculum

SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

GRADE 9 

Grade 9 school counseling programs and activities focus on the academic, social, and emotional transition from middle school to high school. The counselors collaborate with other faculty advisors to help students acclimate to the high school through various welcome events and transition-related work in their X Block. Programs with grade nine students include small group seminars with the counselors in the fall of their first school year, individual meetings with counselors for course selection, and anytime as requested/needed. Counselors host a parent/guardian event in the early fall to introduce the counseling department and explain our roles at SHS. 

In small group seminars in the fall, the counselors focus efforts on growth mindset attitudes and approaches, self and social awareness, and how to get involved in extracurricular activities. Counselors review SHS academic graduation requirements and help students begin to make a four-year academic plan. Students create an account in SCOIR, our college and career planning tool, and complete interest inventories which help students explore careers that match their interests. Students also start a resume with the resume feature in SCOIR. 

GRADE 10

In our work with 10th grade students, counselors shift focus to emphasize critical skills such as relationship skills, problem solving, and interpersonal communication (email etiquette, social media footprint). Counselors meet with students in small group seminars to review these skills and their application in high school and beyond, review academic requirements, and discuss PSAT results and standardized testing plans. Counselors continue college and career exploration work with students in SCOIR, having students complete additional interest inventories and update their resumes. A 10th Grade Parent/Guardian event is hosted in winter to discuss critical skills, course selection, the post-secondary planning process, SCOIR, and career exploration. 

GRADE 11

College and career planning is a major focus of the students’ junior year. In the Grade 11 school counseling seminars, typically scheduled in early winter, counselors review the post-secondary planning and college application process. Counselors review paths recent alumni have taken including four-year and two-year colleges, trade school/licensure program, employment, military, and gap years. Students use their SCOIR account to research colleges and careers, understand SHS specific historical admissions data, navigate admissions requirements, update their resume, research educational pathways for various careers, median salaries in each state, etc. Counselors provide information on admissions timelines and creating a standardized testing plan. An 11th Grade Parent/Guardian Night is held in early winter to review the post-secondary planning process, college application process, and the SCOIR resource. Individual college or post-secondary planning meetings can be scheduled by request/appointment with the counselor to begin mapping out an individualized post-secondary plan. Counselors also meet with 11th grade students in a larger group setting in the late spring to review important timelines, what to focus on during the summer, and to answer any student questions and concerns. 

GRADE 12

Counselors work with students in grade 12 to solidify individualized post-secondary plans and support students through each step to achieve those goals. In a large group setting in early fall, counselors meet with seniors to discuss post-secondary planning, focusing on the college application process and timelines. Information regarding college research, essay writing, letters of recommendation, sending transcripts, Common Application, and scholarships are included in the presentation. Students are required to set up a “senior meeting” appointment with their school counselor to share their senior year goals and post-secondary plans. A senior parent/guardian event is held in the fall to review the work and information the counselors are sharing with the students. This presentation is recorded and sent to all families. Parents are also invited to additional informational events focused on financial aid, including how to file and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and CSS Profile. The School Counseling Department hosts admissions counselors from upwards of sixty colleges and universities for “College Visits” in the School Counseling office from September through December. Seniors and interested juniors are encouraged to participate. Counselors continue meeting with seniors and families through the year to be sure they are prepared to move on to the next chapter after SHS.