School Counseling

The Importance of School Counselors and Healthy Children in Our Changing World

• By age 21, today's young people have faced more decisions than their grandparents faced in a lifetime.
• One out of five families move each year, forcing children to get adjusted to new environments (social, academic, community, etc.)
• Students are faced with making career and educational decisions to meet the demands of increasing standards.
• Young people face increasing violence in our society and in their schools.
• Some young people face hopelessness that can lead to self-destructive behavior.

Young adolescents affected by these and other problems are not able to achieve their full academic potential. The counselor's primary task is to help them become better learners by providing a comprehensive program that includes responsive services, individual planning, systems support and a guidance curriculum.

How Our Counselors Help Students

• Encourage positive attitudes among students toward self, family, peers and community

• Counsel students, individually and in groups, to encourage understanding and appreciation for their unique attributes and qualities

• Promote personal and social growth

• Support students in developing an individual plan for academic success (i.e., 4-year plan, career development, annual personal and academic goals)

• Develop and deliver classroom lessons that teach skills related to character education development, anti-bullying behaviors, techniques for making healthy decisions, and methods for resolving conflicts

• Challenge students to become invested in their school success by providing instruction on how school performance relates to career opportunities and personal development

• work collaboratively with students, parents, and teachers to identify and remove barriers that may impede student achievement

What Our Counselors Know About Early Adolescents

• It is an important transition period, which is a normal part of the developmental process

• They benefit most from a team effort involving teachers, parents, students and administrators which can increase their focus on life-long learning

• They must develop a healthy self-concept and motivation for learning in order to increase successes during this critical transition period

• They greatly benefit from positive learning environments

What parents may notice*:

• rapid physical growth, puberty

• self-conscious, anxiety, clumsy and uncoordinated movements, stronger need for privacy
• test limits, authority, and rules
• a desire to develop autonomy or distance from parents or caregivers
• an ability to detect inconsistencies, think about future changes, see possibilities, think of logical rebuttals (or "comebacks")
• confusion, caught between dependence and independence
• establish a sense of self (friends, clothing, music) yet may be carried out through a desire to be part of "the group"

How parents may be able to support children through these stages:

• assist students in developing personal awareness and explore career and personal goals

• help develop communication, listening, and interpersonal skills needed to relate well to others
• set a specific study plan to include a study time and place, and check assignments on a regular basis
• maintain contact with teachers and staff regarding your child's progress
• be willing to make adjustments, adolescent children often display a range of moods and emotions
• establish boundaries, yet allow them to make some decisions with your supervision
• monitor telephone, video game, and television usage
• know your child's friends and parents
• speak with school counselors, administrators, and other support staff who can support you and your child during difficult times

* "Counseling Children & Adolescents" by Vernon, A. (2004). Colorado: Love Publishing Company

Personal interests can lead to professional interests. What we enjoy doing as hobbies can allow us to explore career choices in these fields. Below are some ways to begin developing your career goals.

1. Think of your career in clusters. There are four main groups (clusters) that many careers fall into:

• business and marketing

• communication, arts and media

• engineering and industrial technologies
• health, human and public services

2. To identify what your interests are, you can complete an interest inventory, which will show areas that relate to your interests. The following links include career interest inventories:

• ACPS Program of Studies

• Virginia Career View

3. Once you have an idea of your personal and career interests, select courses that will expand what you already know about this area. At the end of each school year, you will get a chance to select electives based upon your personal interests. Think about what skills you will need for each career interest you identified. Use the ACPS Program of Studies Guide to find class descriptions for each class choice you have made. Speak with your parents, teachers, and grade level school counselor to help you.

How can I begin to explore my options for college?

It is never too soon to begin planning for your future. There is a wealth of information available when you are ready to explore options for college. Here are a few things you can do to begin collecting this information now:

1. Contact the admissions offices of colleges you are interested in attending. Schedule tours to get a feel for the courses, staff, campus, and students.

2, Begin to prepare for standardized tests. Many colleges require the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing (ACT) which tests your abilities in the areas of English, mathematics, reading, and science, and include an optional writing test (essay). The SAT includes critical reading, mathematics, and writing sections. Admissions offices may use your scores on these tests when determining your acceptance to their college. Many of these tests have sample questions and practice books you may use to prepare for the test. When looking at schools you are interested in, find out which, if any, of these tests are required.

• ACT
• SAT

3. Attend college night events in the community. Alexandria City High School has an annual college night when representatives for various colleges visit A.C.H.S. and speak with interested students and parents about their university and provide information that may assist you in your college selection process.

4. Read books and magazines which may give more specific information on the college(s) you have selected. There are many books available in your local library.

5. Talk with counselors, parents, and teachers about their college experiences and share with them your interests and what you would like to do once you graduate from high school. 

College Preparation Information

• ACPS Career Center
• The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria