Our kids had an excellent guidance counselor at a high-performing FCPS high school - within the constraints of what they were expected to do. They aren't providing the same service as counselors at private schools, but she was great when it came to assisting with course selections and then later making sure schools to which kids were applying had all the right paperwork in time. I'm sure there are some good counselors at lower-performing schools as well, but let's not pretend the system necessarily benefits the high-achieving kids at lower-performing schools, as the counselors there are expecting to spend more time just making sure their kids graduate.

We're at a high performing FCPS. I have one kid who is a senior with special ed services and two high flyers (classes of '18 and '20)...'20 and '24 had/have the same counselor and '18 had someone else. Both very nice ladies but my observation is that they assume the "high flyers" will do fine with college admissions and don't need the extra help. Pretty hands off. With my kid who academically struggles, we got a lot more support

I think it really depends on the individual counselor. I mentioned earlier how great my kids' counselor has been. He is new to our school. While we did interact with the old counselor, I think this new one is exceptional. We are lucky to have him. There is also a college counselor in our FCPS school. We have had little interaction with her, but I feel like we have the resources to help our children with their college search, and there are plenty of students in our school who don't and need her more.

I think you’re really pondering whether your kid’s HS counselor really got to know her bc she’s a standout among the peers at this school and that normally this wouldn’t happen but for the fact that many of her peers at school won’t need that much from the counselors.

No, we’re at a high performing, high income, large FCPS HS and the counselor has been great.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids counselor at a large FCPS is spectacular. Always makes time and very responsive. Has 400+ kids. Don’t know how he does it.

Ours too--for both kids.

Same here!
DP

It’s really unfair to hear some kids actually know their counselors and others don’t.

Life isn't fair, get over it.

Kids are at a school like OP. Counselor did nothing re: college. No meetings, no guidance/suggestions. We managed it all.

The counselor does attend his annual 504 meeting and is continually shocked that a kid with ADHD/LD can make good grades (4.1 GPA) so I get the feeling she deals mostly with kids who are struggling.