The Guidance Department

Four-year planning takes place in the freshman year to establish a personal line of communication between the school, the academic advisor, the student, and his or her parents. Academic advisors are student advocates and liaisons on the high school campus. They are trained to help students match their strengths and interests with their goals, and to help in directing them toward college, technical, and career-based class planning. Near the end of each semester throughout high school, students are contacted by the Guidance Department and asked to select their courses for the following semester. These selections should be discussed with parents, who should then sign the course selection form before the student returns it to school. All selections are reviewed by academic advisors to ensure the student is on track with his or her four-year plan and for completing the requirements for graduation. Parents, however, should also look at course selections carefully and call advisors if they have any questions.