Staples High School Guidance Department - Counseling Services
Academic Counseling
Academic counseling is available to all students to help
them understand their individual strengths, to set goals, and to assist them
in planning an appropriate program of studies. Counselors, teachers and
parents will work together to support and encourage all students in reaching
their full potential.
Some of the areas in which a counselor can work with
students and parents are:
- Planning a high school program relevant to student's
interests, abilities and post high school plans
- Assisting students in selecting appropriate courses
each year
- Checking each student's progress through a review of
quarterly report cards and interim progress reports
- Consult with faculty regarding student performance
- Counseling students experiencing academic difficulty
and developing strategies for improvement, including referrals to various
academic resources at the high school
- Being available to meet with parents of all students
- Reviewing credit status leading to graduation
- Being available to meet with students and parents to
review standardized test results
College Counseling
College counseling is offered to all students seeking post
high school education. Designed to help students identify and clarify their
abilities, interests and goals, college counseling assists students in
making appropriate educational decisions. The formal college planning
process begins with individual and group sessions in the junior year
conducted by the school counselors. These sessions continue through the
senior year.
In order to assist students fully, the following
activities take place:
- Students will be encouraged to take appropriate
standardized tests
- Students will be encouraged to utilize the facilities
of the College and Career Center which includes computer based college
search programs, college catalogs, video and CD-ROM tours of college
campuses
- In the junior and senior year students are encouraged
to schedule appointments with their counselor
- Parents are encouraged to attend the college planning
sessions in junior year
- Students and parents are encouraged to attend Junior
Parent Night, college panels and financial aid programs, as appropriate
- All juniors will receive a Post Secondary Planning
Guide
- Starting in the junior year, students will be
encouraged to prepare drafts of their resume and college essay(s) to
assist in preparing for the college process
- Counselors will write letters of recommendation for
students when asked
- Counselors will direct students to a variety of
available resources about colleges
- Counselors maintain a current state of knowledge about
colleges by attending conferences, visiting colleges and meeting with
college representatives
Personal Counseling
School counselors, social workers and
school psychologists
are available to all students to assist them in managing the normal
developmental issues that arise during adolescence. The Student Services
staff will help students to enhance self understanding and to learn
effective problem solving skills so that they are better equipped to deal
with the variety of concerns that high school students encounter. Students,
staff or parents may initiate individual counseling sessions. When
warranted, referrals may be made to appropriate community resources.
Some of the issues and concerns that may be addressed
include:
- Academic Performance
- Peer Relationships
- Transition / Adjustment Problems
- Social Pressures
- Emotional Concerns
- Family Conflicts
- Community Influences
