Student Services Mission Statement

South Lakes High School Counseling Mission Statement:

The mission of the South Lakes High School Counseling Department is to address the academic, career and personal/social development of all students and prepare them to be responsible citizens and life-long learners. Counseling staff collaborate with other educators, parents/guardians and the community to ensure access and equity for all students and to create an environment where all students achieve, value learning, appreciate diversity, and demonstrate responsible citizenship.

The Counseling Department at South Lakes High School endeavors:

• To support the school’s culture as a Collaborative Team to ensure that all students can be successful learners.

• To empower each student to realize his/her educational, personal, and career goals.

• To foster strong positive relations through respect, responsibility, honesty, community, and spirit.

• To become accountable to students through measurable activities and services.

What does a School Counselor do?

Parents, the press, administrators and the general public often wonder just what it is that school counselors do on a daily basis. Gone are the days of school counselors sitting in their office simply handing out college applications, making schedule changes for students who want to drop a class or meeting with the troublemakers in the school. Today's school counselors are vital members of the education team. They help all students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development and career development, ensuring today's students become the productive, welladjusted adults of tomorrow. Learn more about the school counselor's role.

The role of the Professional School Counselor

Professional school counselors are certified/licensed educators with a minimum of a master’s degree in school counseling making them uniquely qualified to address all students’ academic, personal/social and career development needs by designing, implementing, evaluating and enhancing a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes and enhances student success. Professional school counselors are employed in elementary, middle/junior high and high schools; in district supervisory positions; and counselor education positions. Professional school counselors serve a vital role in maximizing student success (Lapan, Gysbers,& Kayson, 2007; Stone & Dahir, 2006). Through leadership, advocacy and collaboration, professional school counselors promote equity and access to rigorous educational experiences for all students. Professional school counselors support a safe learning environment and work to safeguard the human rights of all members of the school community (Sandhu, 2000), and address the needs of all students through culturally relevant prevention and intervention programs that are a part of a comprehensive school counseling program (Lee, 2001). The American School Counselor Association recommends a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250.