The Clarinda Community School District Comprehensive Guidance Program is based on individual, school, and community needs and organized around skill development goals. The program is delivered through the direct service program components of guidance curriculum, individual planning system, and responsive services and is implemented by certified school counselors. In addition, the program provides indirect services supporting the total educational program.

The program is a developmental educational program responsible for intentional guidance lessons in order for students to acquire knowledge and skills needed to develop: decision making, interpersonal relationships, life goals/assessments, life long learning, personal safety, self-acceptance, transitions, world of work/leisure.

The developmental perspective recognizes that every student has the ability to achieve. Because students need sound emotional and social skills to achieve optimum benefit from the educational program, they have a right to a school counseling program. The guidance program is designed to assist systematically all students in our schools. It is implemented with the assistance of administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals and community members. The program also assists individuals in resolving problems that prevent their healthy development or that require remedial attention. It is evaluated on specified goals and agreed upon student competencies.

All counselors abide by the professional ethics of guidance and counseling, and they participate in competency renewal programs essential to maintain a quality guidance program.