Skip To Main Content

The Counselor's Role

The school counselor is committed to addressing the holistic needs of the entire student body.  According to The American School Counselor Association (ASCA), professional school counselors serve a vital role in maximizing student success.  Through leadership, advocacy and collaboration, professional school counselors promote equity and access to rigorous educational experiences for all students. Professional school counselors support a safe learning environment and work to safeguard the human rights of all members of the school community, and address the needs of all students.

The ASCA National Standards in the academic, career, and personal/social domains are the foundation for this work. ASCA Student Standards guide the development of effective school counseling programs around three domains: academic, career and personal/social development.

  • Academic Advising: This incudes using data and collaboration with teachers to help students define and develop educational plans through course selection, advising students on high school programs and academic curriculum, and using resources to help students identify and access academic supports.
     
  • Career/College Counseling: This includes using career interest and personality style inventories to help students identify strengths, providing opportunities to learn about post high school options and providing support for the college application process.
     
  • Personal/Social Counseling: This includes stress management, conflict resolution, crisis intervention, substance use counseling, grief counseling or any other direct services designed to meet students' immediate needs and concerns.