School Counseling

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A Student-Centered Approach

to social-emotional skill development

The mission of our comprehensive school counseling program is to address the academic support, career, and social-emotional development of ALL students through individual, group, and classroom counseling. The school counselor serves as a key collaborator with other educators, parents/guardians, and the community to promote access within a student-centered approach. This partnership promotes the development of skills necessary for students to become productive citizens and lifelong learners.

Program Beliefs

Students learn best when they are emotionally supported in a positive and nurturing environment.
Students learn best when they are engaged and inspired through dynamic, positive interactions with others.
Students have the right to an inclusive education that is culturally competent and equitable.
Students demonstrate success in various ways.

Program Purpose

School counseling programs serve a pivotal role in the overall developmental, academic, and social-emotional educational process.
A truly effective school counseling program is comprehensive in scope, preventive in design, and developmental in nature, with the goal of having proactive services at the forefront.
Educational, career, and personal goals can be accomplished when school counseling for all students is provided.
The school counseling program, when fully implemented, will provide:
- access for all students to a full-time school counselor who serves a dual role as an educator and school-based mental health professional in order to deliver school counseling support and programming.
- school counselors who are school-based mental health providers specializing in short-term counseling and the development of lasting coping skills.
- specific goals, standards, developmental student competencies/domains for all areas of the program that are based on The American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) Mindsets and Behaviors.
- accountability by using data to drive program development, efficiency, effectiveness, and evaluation.
- opportunities for students to receive school counseling services in the academic support, career, and personal/social domains.
- planning and implementation that is diverse and inclusive.

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Individual Counseling
Through individual counseling, students can express concerns in a safe environment where problem-solving can then take place. A variety of techniques may be used by school counselors to create a positive and lasting impact. During individual counseling, school counselors may use books/print resources, videos, play, handouts, and manipulatives as well as other tools and techniques.

Individual counseling is available to ALL students in need, at the request of the student (self-referral), a parent, or a staff member (through division-level deans/directors). Students may see their school counselor at any time for brief discussions, with consent assumed, unless an opt-out request is submitted in writing to the division director. For structured, planned sessions, parental permission/consent is required.

Individual Counseling Parameters: While individual counseling is an integral part of every school counseling program, parents and students should understand and be informed that school counselors are not intended to act as intensive, long-term therapists. School counseling services should be reflective of those provided in an educational versus a clinical or community setting. If a parent requests sessions in a weekly, structured, scheduled manner, these sessions will be four to six sessions, after which the parents can decide whether they want to explore counseling services outside of the school, at their own expense. *Parents may refer their own child and students may refer themselves only.

Student Referral Process
- LOWER SCHOOL: mailbox located in Lower School lobby
- MIDDLE SCHOOL and UPPER SCHOOL: school counseling sign-up link
Students may schedule an appointment during lunch, Community Time, free periods (Upper School upperclassmen only), or study hall (Middle/Upper School). If none of these times are available and the matter is time-sensitive, students may send an email to Mrs. Mayo, school counselor. For emergencies, students should see their division dean of student support or an available staff member to assist them with getting connected with school counseling services as soon as possible.
Small Group Counseling

Groups are designed so that students may gather in a confidential setting to work through an issue that is preventing them from doing their best in school. Students will have the opportunity to interact and connect with peers, practice new skills, provide and receive feedback, and set goals as needed.

Because group counseling is performed in small groups, group participation is limited and groups may only be offered to students who have challenges that may be impeding their success in school. Small-group counseling is considered a short-term intervention and generally lasts for four to six sessions. Small-group counseling may be requested by parents, students (self-referrals), faculty/staff members, or school-based teams. Parental permission is required.
School Counseling in the Curriculum

School counseling curriculum lessons are aligned with the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) Mindsets and Behaviors and ASCA National Model. These mindsets are designed to foster the personal, social, academic, and career development of all students. School counselors feel that students learn best through activity, engagement, and memorable experiences, so lessons are hands-on and interactive. We will be working closely with various members of the school staff to ensure that classroom lessons are meeting the developmental needs of students and supporting school/community needs/goals. Consent for the school counseling curriculum is assumed unless an opt-out request is submitted in writing to the division director. For structured, planned sessions, parental permission/consent is required.

Quick Links

Read our strategic plan, Compass 2028, to learn about programming designed to optimize the whole-person experience for our students, faculty, and staff.