1. Partnering with Professional School Counselors
Kimberly S. Davis, School Counselor
Southern Alamance High School
October 21, 2017

2. Why High School Counselors…
High school years are full of growth, promise, excitement, frustration, disappointment and hope. It is the time when students begin to discover what the future holds for them. Secondary school counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic achievement. School counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals and realize full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of the world community. The professional high school counselor holds a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling. Maintaining certification includes on-going professional development to stay current with educational reform and challenges facing today’s students. Professional association membership is encouraged as it enhances the school counselor’s knowledge and effectiveness.

3. Professional School Counselors
The Role of School Counselors
ASCA Website & Videos
Student-to-Counselor Ratios Although ASCA recommends a 250-to-1 ratio of students to counselors, the NC recommendation is The national average is 491 students to 1 Counselor.
Partnering with your child’s Counselor
School List

4. Secondary School Counselors Implement the Counseling Program by Providing: Classroom Guidance
Academic skills support
Organizational, study and test-taking skills
Post-secondary planning and application process
Career planning
Education in understanding self and others
Coping strategies
Peer relationships and effective social skills
Communication, problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution and study skills
Career awareness and the world of work
Substance abuse education
Multicultural/diversity awareness

5. Comprehensive School Counseling Program Continued…
Individual Student Planning
Goal setting
Academic plans
Career plans
Problem solving
Education in understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses
Transition plans
Responsive Services
Individual and small-group counseling
Individual/family/school crisis intervention
Peer facilitation
Consultation/collaboration
Referrals

6. Counselor Collaboration
Secondary School Counselors Collaborate with: Parents  Academic planning/support  Post-secondary planning  Scholarship/financial search process  School-to-parent communications  School-to-work transition programs  One-on-one parent conferencing  Referral process Students Academic support services  Program planning  Peer education program  Peer mediation program  Crisis management  Transition programs

7. Counselor Collaboration Continued…
Teachers Portfolio development, providing recommendations and assisting students with the post- secondary application process  Classroom guidance lessons on post-secondary planning, study skills, career development, etc.  School-to-work transition programs  Academic support, learning style assessment and education to help students succeed academically  Classroom speakers  At-risk student identification and implementation of interventions to enhance success Administrators School climate  Academic support interventions  Behavioral management plans  School-wide needs assessments  Data sharing  Student assistance team development Community Job shadowing, worked-based learning, part-time jobs, etc.  Crisis interventions  Referrals  Career education

8. Parent/Student Resources
Naviance
CFNC
Dual Enrollment Programs
School-Sponsored Events
School Websites
Newsletters
Social Media

9. Credits Required for Graduation
English- 4 Credits Math- 4 Credits Social Studies- 4 Credits Science- 3 Credits Health and PE- 1 Credit 2 Units in a specific Dept. (CTE, Foreign Language or Arts) Electives- 10 Credits Total: 28 Credits required for graduation
College admissions officers look for advanced classes in academic core areas and elective choices that show an interest in their future studies; students should take a reasonable amount of AP classes if appropriate; and minimize early dismissal/late arrival and TA choices

10. Important Things to Know!
Fee Waivers
Testing and more testing!
PSAT-October
SAT
PRE-ACT-October (Sophomores)
ACT- February (Juniors)
Enrichment Opportunities
Scholarships

11. College Entrance Exams
ACT
English
Mathematics
Reading
Science
Optional Writing Test
Subtests range from 1-36
Composite of 4 test scores
(1-36)
No penalty for guessing
Redesigned SAT
Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing
Mathematics
Essay (optional)
Subtests Score range from
Possible Score Range
No penalty for guessing

12. Dual Enrollment Opportunities
Alamance Community College
&
Elon Collegiate Start

13. Sample Schedules of Dually Enrolled Students

14. Sample Schedules of Dually Enrolled Students

15. Sample Schedules of Dually Enrolled Students

16. 10th Grade Planning Timeline
Keep those grades up! You might have a lot going on this year, but it's important to stay focused on your schoolwork.
Continue your conversations with your school counselors, teachers, family members or trusted adults about your plans for college or other paths towards a career.
Find out about AP and Honors-level courses for junior year.
Update your college planning file — or start one, if you haven't already. (Naviance)
Continue extracurricular activities. Remember, many admissions officers look for well-rounded students who participate in the world around them. You don’t have to join every club; just find a few activities that you love!
If you have room in your schedule, consider a part-time job or volunteer position.
Look into participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts and sciences.
Start thinking about what factors are important to you in choosing a college:
size, location, availability of extracurricular activities, for example.
Keep reading! Expanding your vocabulary and learning new things will help
with many things over the next few years.

17. 11th Grade Planning Timeline
Fall Semester
Maintaining your grades during your junior year is important! Colleges put a lot of weight on your grades for this year.
Review your transcript with your counselor.
Make sure you're challenging yourself academically. Colleges will consider how difficult your courses are.
Now is the time to really focus your career and college research. Visit websites such as and to start your college search process.
Stay involved in school and community activities. These are just as critical as maintaining good grades.
Research the admissions requirements for the colleges you're interested in. Do your research, and be sure to find out about any additional requirements on top of GPA and test scores
August
Obtain schedules and registration information for the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT   

18. September
Register for the PSAT exam offered in October.
Attend the College Fair sponsored by ABSS
Remember that when you take the PSAT in your junior year, the scores will count towards the National Achievement Program (and it is good practice for the SAT I).
Start a file for college catalogs and other admissions information.
Keep an eye out for college nights at any schools in your area you may want to attend.
October
Take the PSAT if you registered for it this month.
Narrow your list of colleges to include a few colleges with requirements at your current GPA, a few with requirements above your current GPA, and at least one with requirements below your GPA.
You and your parent(s) may want to visit the colleges and universities during spring break and summer vacation so you don't have to miss school.
December
You will receive your scores from the October PSAT if you took it that month.
Depending on the results, you may want to consider signing up for free online SAT prep.

19. Spring Semester
If you're choosing your senior year classes, look for classes that will give you a strong transcript.
You'll also want to look for classes that will fit your college study plans.
Consider looking for a summer job or internship. Not only can you earn money for college, you can also learn valuable skills.
January
Continue with your campus tours online or in person.
You want to be narrowing down your list of potential colleges.
February
Register for the March SAT or the April ACT, or both.
Research the requirements of the colleges you're interested in to learn about admission deadlines and which tests to take.
March
Take the March SAT I exam if you registered to take it this month.

20. April
Take the April ACT test if you registered for this month.
May
Take any SAT or ACT that you registered for this month.
Talk to teachers about writing letters of recommendation for you.
Think about what you would like to include in these and politely ask your teachers if they can help. Complete a Senior Brag Sheet (found in Naviance) to give to those teachers.
June
Add any new report cards, test scores, honors or awards from the year to your file.
Continue with your college visits. Call ahead for appointments with the financial aid, admissions and academic advisors at the colleges in which you are most interested.
If you go on interviews or visits, don't forget to send thank-you notes.
Take the SAT I, SAT Subject Tests and the ACT tests if you're registered.
Summer Between Junior and Senior Years
Continue to work on your application essays and review the application procedures for the colleges you plan to apply to.
Decide if you are going to apply under any early decision or early action programs. This requires you to submit your applications early, typically between October and December of your senior year.
Read your college mail and send reply cards to your schools of interest.

21. Thanks so much for attending today!
Questions and Closing
Questions?
Thanks so much for attending today!
Your participation here and in other parent programs shows your child that you are interested in his/her academic progress and future.