Why High School Counselors? High school years are full of growth, promise, excitement, frustration, disappointment, and hope. It is the time when students begin to discover what the future holds for them. Secondary school counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic achievement along with providing a healthy understanding of the next phase in life. School counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals, and realize full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of the world community. The professional high school counselor holds a master's degree and required state certification in school counseling. Maintaining certification includes on-going professional development to stay current with educational reform and challenges facing today's students. Professional association membership is encouraged as it enhances the school counselor's knowledge and effectiveness.

School Counselors implement effective classroom and life guidance including these topics:
Academic Planning--Anger Management--Harassment Prevention
Career Planning--Career Majors--Conflict Management
Dealing with Diversity--Decision Making--Drug and Alcohol Prevention
Financial Aid Process--Portfolio Development--Post Secondary Admissions
Scholarship Application Process--Suicide Prevention--Study Skills--Stress

Secondary Counselors provide individual and small group counseling dealing with:
Academic Indifference-- Post High School Academic Planning--Academic Support Services
Abuse Issues--Anger Management--Behavior Modification
Career Major Selection--Conflict Resolution--Divorce
Goal Setting--Grief and Loss--Post Secondary Planning
Scholarship--Self-Esteem Issues

Some other tasks Secondary Counselors Provide are:
Working with parents to help children reach their potential academic goals.
Providing consultation with teachers, administrators, school psychologists, and social workers
Making appropriate referrals to outside agencies and social services when necessary. 
Working with specialized people and needs that require special attention, such as culturally diverse students of varying abilities.
Working collaboratively with school staff and other agencies to prepare students for post secondary education or the world of work by implementing programs such as Career Days, College Days, Senior Portfolios, Interview Expositions, College Success Programs, etc.
Being a leader in school improvement

Secondary School Counselors Collaborate With:
Parent- Academic planning, Post Secondary Planning, Scholarship Search, School-to-parent communications, School-to-work transition programs, One-on-one parent conference, Referral process
Students- Academic Support Services, Program Planning, Peer Education Program, Peer Mediation Program,
Crisis Management, Transition Programs
Teacher- Providing recommendations and assisting students with the post-secondary application process, Classroom guidance lessons on post-secondary planning, study skills, career development, School to work transition programs, Academic support, Classroom speakers, At-risk student identification and intervention to enhance success
Administrators- School Climate, Academic Support Interventions, Behavioral Management Plans, School-wide Need Assessments, Data Sharing, Student Assistance Team Development
Community- Job Shadowing, Crisis Interventions, Referrals, Career Education