high school counselor

When I was in high school, I met my counselor only prior to the registration time each semester.  At least that is what I remember at the public school that I attended.  After moving to a small christian school, I had a more personal relationship with the counselor at the school.  He might have been motivated in getting me to transfer to his small school, or maybe he was genuinely interested in helping not so good students like me.  Either way, large urban public school counselors seem to have too many students on their lists.  I wonder if they even get meet every student they are responsible for if students do not have to have the counselors’ signatures for class registration.

Counselors, however, are the experts when it comes to college application and financial aid.  I do not know how active they are in promoting the services they provide.  There are some good websites managed by some high school counseling departments.  One that I know is Arlington High School in Riverside, CA.  I do not send my kids to that school or live in the area.  Here is the link to the web site On the web site, you may find a lot of helpful information, even if your children do not attend that school.   For example, there I learned that US congressmen hold art competitions in their districts and invite winners to DC and acknowledge their achievements.  I do not know if all congressmen do that, but this information led me to learn that my  district’s congressman has an annual art competition.  Since my children were taking art lessons, I thought they should participate in the competition when they are older and ready.

That is an example of what counselors can do, providing information on anything that any students or parents might find interesting.  So, go ahead and call your children’s counselors or check out their websites.  You will find SOMETHING useful.