The Counseling Center is one of the most versatile departments and is especially helpful during students’ high school years because of their supportive staff and resources.

The Counseling Center is home to school counselors and school psychologists and provides a source of information and help for high school students.

“We work with parents, teachers, administrators, support staff, [and] support all the students either academically, socially, or emotionally…I feel like it is the hub of the building…we connect [students] to other supports that they might need,” said high school counselor Courtney Meyer.

The counseling center is like a home base for every student. There are many specific events that the counseling center hosts to help guide students during their time in high school.

“We do things from individual meetings with students, problem solving meetings, meetings with students and families, scheduling, [planning] post-highschool plans, we are a source of support… get to know us because we are looking to get to know our students,” said high school counselor Jon Miale.

During a student’s time in high school, the counseling center is a place to help students grow and become more prepared for their future. The counselors meet with students and prepare them for all high school has to offer.

“We are the student advocates…I always call my students the quarterback on the team because I want them to advocate for themselves, but know that I am their teammate who is always going to be here for them throughout the four years,” said high school counselor Jacqueline Clark.

High school time is a time of growth and maturity for students. The counselors help to make sure that their transition to high school is smooth and beneficial.

“In the middle school, they are younger and their parents reach out to the counselors or teachers, but what we try to teach in the high school is that now [that] you are getting older we want you to advocate for yourselves. We want to hear from them,” said Meyer.

Not all students visit their counselors often. They may be missing out on the benefits of a counselor guiding and informing them.

“There is not a stigma coming to see your counselor. Students come to see us for all different reasons; it doesn’t mean they have a problem,” said Clark.

The counselors get to see students grow and mature. They are always there as a homebase for all students’ problems. 

“We get to work with [students] for four years. A lot of your teachers only know you for one year and although I am not with you in class every day, I get to watch you mature and grow for four years,” said Miale.

The counseling center is a resource that students are urged to take advantage of. You can make an appointment by just sending an email to your counselor or asking one of the secretaries for help in setting up a meeting.

“Really supporting the students is the main goal…we want our students to be successful and we want them to know that our doors are open if they need help with [anything],” said Clark.◼️