Welcome to the HGCS Guidance Blog! The Guidance Counselor looks forward to serving all constituents, namely students, parents, teachers, staff, and administration. The Guidance Counselor welcomes any opportunity to provide assistance and to do so “as unto the Lord.”
The Guidance Program is an integral part of the total school operation. Its purpose is to adhere to and support the mission of the school. Within the program of services, the Guidance Counselor is delegated with the responsibility of operating a comprehensive Guidance Program that seeks to facilitate the academic progress, the personal and social development, and the college/career decision-making processes for all high school students. Overall, the Program’s services are intended to promote the growth and well being of students throughout their high school careers.
One of the primary goals of the Guidance Counselor is to bridge students’ high school experiences with post high school opportunities. To that end, the Counselor’s role includes the following services:
- Assisting all students with course selection to maximize their high school experience (helping 8th grade students with the transition to high school)
- Developing a four-year educational plan for each high school student
- Encouraging student participation in extracurricular activities and community service projects
- Working collaboratively with parents, staff, and teachers to promote academic success of all students
- Making grade level classroom guidance presentations on such topics as scheduling, collegiate test preparation, and collegiate testing programs’ registration (i.e. SAT, ACT, AP)
- Providing counseling for individual students concerning everyday personal, social, or academic concerns
- Administering high school testing programs on campus (Fall PSAT and Spring Advanced Placement Tests)
- Inviting and coordinating college representative visits
- Meeting with parents and/or students to explore, plan, and apply for post-secondary opportunities
- Writing letters of recommendation for seniors
- Handling student transcripts and mailing in a timely manner
- Coordinating Junior Parent Night (Financial Aid Workshop)
- Overseeing and coordinating the school’s Scholarship Committee and scholarship programs
- Assisting 12th grade students with financial aid/scholarship exploration and application procedures
- Overseeing the Department of Motor Vehicles “North Carolina Driving Eligibility Certificates” for students who complete Driver’s Training classroom instruction
- Working closely with the High School Principal and the Head of School to plan and implement programs and services as needed
