Role of guidance counselors in course selection in HS

[Anonymous]

My 9th grader is hearing from friends that it's time to select courses for next year but, according to him, nobody has come to talk in any of his classes about this. Do counselors reach out to each student or does he need to reach out first?

[Anonymous]

The counselors will reach out but be aware that they Only fill tye child's schedule with required classes. They do not encourage a pathway or complete a 4 year plan or consider appropriate levels.

That's on you to determine. You should have received info from the principal about how to register.

[Anonymous]

At my kid's school, they had a day where they heard about all of the different electives and options in each subject area, then went through requirements and filled out their registration choices. They'll have short individual meetings with their counselors to go over their choices in January. And they have until June to make changes, so there's time to ask more questions if needed. If you go to the "counseling" section of your kid's high school website, there may be more information on registering and course selection there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The counselors will reach out but be aware that they Only fill tye child's schedule with required classes. They do not encourage a pathway or complete a 4 year plan or consider appropriate levels.

That's on you to determine. You should have received info from the principal about how to register.

Thanks. So where do parent and kids get guidance about planning out these 4 years, especially as it relates to rigor, college applications, burn out and the student’s academic interest? DCUM I guess?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The counselors will reach out but be aware that they Only fill tye child's schedule with required classes. They do not encourage a pathway or complete a 4 year plan or consider appropriate levels.

That's on you to determine. You should have received info from the principal about how to register.

Thanks. So where do parent and kids get guidance about planning out these 4 years, especially as it relates to rigor, college applications, burn out and the student’s academic interest? DCUM I guess?

Yes. We’re here to help and fill the counseling gap.

[Anonymous]

We've hired an strategist of sorts who works at a different school than where DS goes and our strategist has been super helpful with helping us choose classes.

[Anonymous]

Counselors offer no to little meaningful guidance on course selection for your kids. Be prepared to fill in the gap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've hired an strategist of sorts who works at a different school than where DS goes and our strategist has been super helpful with helping us choose classes.

Could you post her information. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The counselors will reach out but be aware that they Only fill tye child's schedule with required classes. They do not encourage a pathway or complete a 4 year plan or consider appropriate levels.

That's on you to determine. You should have received info from the principal about how to register.

Thanks. So where do parent and kids get guidance about planning out these 4 years, especially as it relates to rigor, college applications, burn out and the student’s academic interest? DCUM I guess?

My best advice is to find out which signature pathways are offered at your school. Google it or reach out to the counselor or administrator. You can also ask them for a 4 year class planner.
Then check in with individual teachers to see what courses they recommend for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've hired an strategist of sorts who works at a different school than where DS goes and our strategist has been super helpful with helping us choose classes.

Bizarre you cannot do this yourself. We looked at things starting in 6th grade to make sure we could get in all the requirements as early as possible. It's really not hard to do.

I emailed the guidance counselor but they were only partially helpful. I also reached out to the teachers I knew who would respond and my child talked to some as well. You go on their student account and select what you want that fits within the graduation requirements.

[Anonymous]

What classes are they taking this year?

They should take:

foreign language
English 10
Math - Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2 or Pre-cal (in less they need a different one due to other needs)
PE, if they didn't do it in 9th or Health ED, if they didn't do it in 9th or want to do it over the summer
A history class
A science class - usually Chemistry
Elective

[Anonymous]

For my kids (2 different HSs), the counselors would do sessions in the English classes over a few days per grade giving them basic info. The kids would then make schedules which the counselor would review. I think a 1:1 meeting was optional.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the practices vary from school to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What classes are they taking this year?

They should take:

foreign language
English 10
Math - Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2 or Pre-cal (in less they need a different one due to other needs)
PE, if they didn't do it in 9th or Health ED, if they didn't do it in 9th or want to do it over the summer
A history class
A science class - usually Chemistry
Elective

They may want to do AP Computer Science Principles to knock out tech requirement instead of Health in 10th depending on long term plan and avoiding AP overload later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've hired an strategist of sorts who works at a different school than where DS goes and our strategist has been super helpful with helping us choose classes.

Bizarre you cannot do this yourself. We looked at things starting in 6th grade to make sure we could get in all the requirements as early as possible. It's really not hard to do.

I emailed the guidance counselor but they were only partially helpful. I also reached out to the teachers I knew who would respond and my child talked to some as well. You go on their student account and select what you want that fits within the graduation requirements.

I don't have time to pay attention to this stuff. That's what help is for.