About the Counseling Department

S6A’S SCHOOL COUNSELING PHILOSOPHY

Our philosophy of counseling aligns with our school mission statement: to provide a learning environment that focuses on academic achievement and the necessary skills needed to be a lifelong learner. We know that each student is unique and entitled to an educational environment where they can grow mentally, emotionally, and socially. Our School Counseling program is based on the American School Counselors Association Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success (www.schoolcounselor.org) and the Indiana Standards for School Counselors. School Counselors will be advocates for all students and collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure academic development, career development, and social and emotional development. We are knowledgeable about our resources and programs and follow ethical guidelines to assure the well-being of students, parents, and school staff.

The role of the School Counselor is multi-faceted.​ The counselor serves as an advocate for students and works to facilitate communication between students, staff members, parents, and other agencies in order to enhance student success. The counselor serves students through school-wide programs addressing educational planning, character education, peer relations and provides individual counseling for personal/social concerns. The department also handles enrollment/withdrawal, attendance, appointments, and scheduling. Other student support services in action at S6A include a School Social Worker, School Nurse, Adult & Child partnership (SEL Specialist as well as School Based Therapists and Skills Therapists), and Special Needs staff.

COUNSELING DEPARTMENT SERVICES

A student who wishes to talk with his/her counselor will need to secure a pass by completing the Request to see a Counselor Google Form. The counselor will then meet with the student as soon as possible. The school counselors are available to meet with parents during the school day by appointment. The counselors provide a comprehensive developmental program for all students that encompasses three areas: Academic Preparation and Success, Career Development, and Personal/Social Development. The activities include, but are not limited to the following:

 

ACADEMIC PREPARATION AND SUCCESS
  • Class scheduling
  • Information regarding extracurricular programming, etc.
  • Academic counseling
  • Transition to middle school from the academy/elementary and to high school
  • Guidance lessons
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
  • Integration of career information in core and related arts curriculum
  • Completion of career interest inventories through Naviance
  • Participation in visiting Southport Middle School
  • Guidance lesson
  • Planning for the future
PERSONAL/SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
  • Individual and/or group counseling
  • Crisis intervention
  • Peer mediation
  • Character development
  • Consultation and coordination of services
  • Program referral
  • Guidance lessons