.

Our vision is to personalize guidance services to meet the needs of individual students for life beyond high school. In addition to services already provided by counselors this can be done by doing the following:

	Individual and personal counseling
	Involve parents with high school and post-high school planning
	College information nights for parents and students
	Junior classroom presentations on planning beyond high school
	Senior classroom presentations on how to apply to four year colleges, two year colleges and technical schools
	Scholarships and financial aid night, for parents and students
	Become more involved in the scholarship search and tracking which students are applying and receiving
	Senior exit interview in the beginning of senior year
	Develop an information sheet for each grade level especially the senior level
	Each counselor sends a senior exit letter to parents in September
	Guidance corner in school newspaper with important information and dates
	Fine tune college surveys
	Implement a plan for improvement from items listed in surveys
	Involve parents in building course schedules for students
	Each counselor plan parent coffees throughout the school year to involve more parents in their students education
	Continue to meet with each student during the year to complete individual career plans
	Personalize the course selection process and give parents the chance to become more involved in the process
	Develop a plan for flexible scheduling for counselors
	Continue assemblies for Freshmen, Juniors, and Seniors “Making High School Count,” “Making the College Search Count,” and “Making College Count”
	Continue to personalize and improve the guidance services

GENERAL INFORMATION
Students at Edwardsville High School are assigned a guidance counselor who is a member of their grade level team. This counselor will remain with their part of the alphabet through graduation.  The counselors will provide students with both academic advisement and personal support. As an academic advisor, the counselor assists students in making course selections that are appropriate for the students’ abilities and future goals. The counselor will notify students of graduation requirements, concerns about grades, college or career requirements, testing, etc. The counselor also acts as a reference for college, scholarship, and/or job applications. Each student will work with his/her counselor, beginning the freshman year, to develop an individual career plan. This ICP becomes the basis for advisement and serves as a record of the student's progress toward his/her goals.  Counselors work with students in both individual and group settings to provide personal support.  Throughout the four years of high school, counselors know and work with their counselees in every aspect of high school life.

VOCATIONAL PLANNING
Good vocational planning and career exploration, begin when we select classes. A variety of courses are offered in the high school, which will provide students with experiences introducing them to the world of work. If a student desires an entry-level job upon graduation, it is advisable to follow a specific sequence of courses in a particular vocational field. Students should work with their counselor to establish the appropriate course subject pattern.

CAREERS
It is never too early to begin exploring the world of work. As a part of the registration process, time is devoted to careers and the impact high school courses have on these future opportunities. Speakers are sometimes brought in to give first-hand information about specific jobs. Because not all students plan to attend college, information on trade and technical schools, military options, and employment opportunities is also made available. Students who elect to take the PLAN test in November of their sophomore year will receive additional career planning information.

REGISTRATION
The registration process for next year’s classes begins in January. The Edwardsville High School Course Handbook will be distributed at this time. In addition to course descriptions, this handbook also contains information covering graduation requirements and includes a four-year planning guide. The Course Handbook can also be viewed on-line at www.ecusd7.org/ehs/guidance.

COLLEGE PLANNING
Many students choose to continue their education beyond high school. As they enter their junior year of high school in particular, the focus on options for the future becomes more distinct. The counselor works with each student to make him/her aware of tests, course requirements, and procedures necessary for college entrance. In addition, representatives from many colleges meet with our students in the guidance office throughout the school year. Catalogs, videotapes, and applications are all readily available to help make choosing a college easier. Specific information about applying for college, scholarship eligibility, and financial aid will be made available during the junior year.

Top | Back