A.H.S. Counseling Department: Guidance Services

High School counselors provide a great many services to the students and community they serve. Their duties span a wide variety of activities. They often:

Assist new students and their families

Register new students

Schedule appropriate classes

Encourage involvement in extracurricular activities/ community service opportunities

Provide athletic eligibility information

Participate in orientation for 8th graders and their parents

Acquaint parents with scheduling process at 8th Grade Parents' Orientation Night

Facilitate groups

Share responsibilities for testing

Assist with HSPA

Organize/administer PSAT

Coordinate/administrate SAT

Coordinate/proctor AP exams

Interpret testing results and communicate those to students and parents

Counsel family about courses of action available to student

Facilitate placement changes, if remediation is necessary

Participate in IRSC and 504 Committees

Collect pertinent information from parents, teachers, school records, etc.

Chair meetings and/or attend as student advocate

Assist students with future plans

Acquaint parents with college process at Junior Parent College Planning Night

Develop contacts with colleges, vocational schools and businesses

Provide an opportunity for students to meet with representatives of colleges, vocational schools, businesses and the military

Assist student-athletes who wish to participate in college athletics

Complete secondary school reports and college recommendations

Refer students and families to appropriate sources for financial assistance in higher education

Responsible for Scholarship Program

Assist at Financial Aid Night

Act as liaison between home/school and student/ parent/staff

Attend administrative meetings

Assist in obtaining a tutor, if necessary

Provide crisis counseling and support to family and make appropriate referrals if necessary

Act as liaison for vocational/ technical and alternative schools

Attend presentations and conferences offered by colleges, professional organizations and state agencies

Review current research, studies and policies in journals and on the Internet

Confer with colleagues at weekly meetings

Participate in professional development