The Role of the High School Counselor
The High School Counselor should provide a comprehensive guidance program that focuses on
the academic, social, personal and career development of students. Classroom presentations
should be provided in these areas with the topics being focused on needs as established by the
state standards.
Small group and individual sessions should be provided for students with specific needs.
Teachers, parents and students should make referrals.
Counselors should also be available to provide staff development, consultation to staff on testing
and student academic and behavioral needs.
The counselor should maintain accurate student records.
Topics for Classroom Presentations
Introduction of “What is a School Counselor”. Discuss roles and responsibilities – fall
Study Skills
Time Management
Counting Credits and Graduation Requirements – all year
College Planning – spring (11th) fall (12th)
Conflict Management
Diversity and Individual Differences
Taking Standardized Test
Developing a Resume’ – spring (11th) fall (12th)
Searching the web for Scholarships – (10-12)
XAP Training and Instructions
Self Portrayal – Applying for Scholarships & Admissions - spring (11th) fall (12th)
NCAA Guidelines
Senior Expectations
Suggested Calendar for High School Counselors
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June/July
Crosscheck student request with completed Credit Verification Sheet.
Verify E-Grands for Lottery Scholarships.
Mail transcripts to colleges and other schools as requested (clerical)
Work on schedules (July).
Year-end reports (scholarship report, in state/out of state college report)
New student registration- ongoing
Correct schedules and make sure all students have a complete schedule on first day of
school
Plan master calendar of counseling activities (evening programs, financial aid workshop,
parent information night, and registration)
August/September
Register new students.
Verify that summer school grades appear on student’s transcript. If the student repeated a
course previously taken, updated transcripfile.
Identify students with 504/S-Team plans and notify faculty
Conduct classroom visits (Grad. requirements, college planning, ACT/SAT, all grades)
Publicize MNPS College Night
2/6/2016
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Inform sophomores and juniors about the PSAT
Backfill transcripts for any new students (data entry clerk)
Determine which students need course retake and complete Catch Up Plans
Determine summer school graduates, order diplomas, and close out records.
Encourage students to start the college application process.
Organize a system for keeping students aware of scholarship information.
Mail home transcripts and CVS’s.
College Information Night
October
Conduct PSAT/PLAN Testing.
Upload senior transcripts to XAP (early in month)
Inform students about Governor’s School and process applications.
Continue backfilling newly enrolled students (data entry clerk).
Visit classrooms and present classroom topics (College for TN, suicide prevention).
College Application Week activities (applications and recommendations)
Plan seniors’ individual conferences.
Inform students of scholarship opportunities (ongoing).
Attend college/counselor outreach meetings.
Work on Post Graduate Report due in December (clerk).
9th Grade MNPS Career Fair
November/December
Check students’ grades and begin academic counseling for Second Semester.
Obtain and verify grades students have taken in credit recovery or off campus-backfill
transcript.
Plan for registration
Governor’s School applications
Send out transcripts in order to meet college application deadlines (clerk)
Turn in Post Graduate report to central guidance.
Encourage students to fill out college applications and write letters of recommendation.
Verify that all students are enrolled in correct second semester courses to meet graduation
requirements.
Encourage students to apply for scholarships.
Financial Aid Workshop
Academy at Old Cockrill meeting (November)
Attend MNPS Academy Showcase
Stress management, study skills, time management
January
Run transcripts and check for failures and missing grades.
Make necessary schedule changes.
Backfill transcripts for any new students (data entry clerk).
Meet with students needing credit recovery classes.
Organize and plan for the 11th Grade Writing Assessment.
Hold FAFSA Fun Tuesday
Double check Credit Verification Sheets and current schedules for all seniors to ensure
that they will meet graduation requirements.
Send out letters and, if possible, meet with parents and student who are in danger of not
graduating.
Send mid-year reports and transcripts to colleges and universities (clerk).
Start scholarship report
2/6/2016
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Register rising 9th graders
Start registration activities (parent night, classroom visits, rising 9th registration)
Classroom visits- course selection/pathway choice
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February
Mail transcripts and CVS’s to parents.
All transcripts should be backfilled and correct.
Registration for existing students.
TCAP 11th Grade Writing Assessment
Contact parents of students who will potentially not graduate in May.
Upload senior transcripts to XAP
Encourage the submission of FAFSA, scholarships, and college apps.
Classroom visit- Building positive relationships
Announce valedictorian and salutatorian
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March
Order diplomas and Scholars/Honors stickers for diplomas.
State-mandated ACT
Encourage students to fill out scholarship applications.
Have a conference with students and parents of those who are in danger of not graduating
because of failing grades.
Registration of lottery students and make-up registration for students missed in February.
Classroom visit- test taking skills and strategies
April
Begin verification of names for diplomas – Chancery vs. birth certificate (registrar).
Begin verification of names, addresses and post-secondary plans for “Plans of Graduates”
Survey Form (due in Central Office/Guidance after graduation).
Determine who will be responsible for printing names on diplomas.
College Planning for rising seniors and parents
Academy Awards Days
May
Organize and administer End of Course
Register any students not registered.
Obtain and verify grades students have taken credit recovery or off campus -backfill
transcript.
Determine students who need to be enrolled in Summer school and provide registration
materials.
Prepare diplomas for graduation (print diplomas, principal signature, Director/Board
signatures, honors labels)
Prepare list of student names for graduation program.
Register students for summer school and/or make a plan for seniors who will not
graduate.
Have seniors declare where they plan to attend post-secondary school-limit to 1 or 2
choices for final transcripts.
Have seniors complete the “Plans of Graduates” (done through English classes).
In the additional 5 work days
Mail retention letters out with number of credits and suggestions for summer school.
Look at Final report cards for any error and notify administration.
Verify that the “Roster of Graduates” is accurate, complete and turned in to Central
Office
2/6/2016
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Return unused and damaged diplomas to the Central Office.
Complete year end reports for Board (scholarship report and postsecondary attendance
report)
Send final transcripts to colleges and universities, NCAA Clearinghouse (clerk).
Mail home transcripts and CVS’s
eGrandS verification for HOPE scholarship
2/6/2016