GUIDANCE FOR GRADES 9–12
Our Upper School Guidance Office supports the educational, emotional, and behavioral needs of our students and offers a range of services to address these needs. We provide both academic and emotional support, empowering students take advantage of the wealth of curricular and extra-curricular opportunities available to them at ASP.
Guidance counseling services in the Upper School include:
- Welcoming new families and easing the transition to ASP
- Advising on course selection and class scheduling
- Long-range planning for academic programs including, but not limited to, AP and IB courses
- Helping students meet graduation requirements
- Providing guidance in cases of academic difficulties
- Assisting students with personal and interpersonal concerns
- Regularly communicating with teachers and parents on student concerns
- Consulting with teachers, the guidance committee, and local professionals on specific student concerns
- Organizing workshops and meetings for students and parents, including group and individual meetings.
The Upper School Guidance Counselors organize the GAPS classes, named for the four pillars of the program: Global citizenship, Academic and Personal excellence, and Service Learning classes. Our students participate in GAPS in Grades 9 and 10, with a focus on building self-confidence, increasing students' global awareness, and grappling with issues around the four pillars of the GAPS program.
In Grades 11 and 12, our students learn to give back and support younger students by serving as GAPS peer mentors. Many students also take on leadership roles in ASP’s service clubs, which work to actively identify and solve problems, thus making contributions to the wider world at a level not often seen in young people.
SUPPORTING A DYNAMIC COMMUNITY
Testimonial
By addressing students' academic and emotional needs, we seek to support the whole child as they tackle the challenges that arise in the years before graduation.
- JUSTIN KEARNS, UPPER SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR