Middle School Counseling

At Altoona Middle School, the school counselor works to provide a comprehensive and developmental school counseling program focused on academic, personal, social and career development for all students through direct and indirect student services 

Direct Student Services Including:

• Instruction- Presenting to all grade levels an intro to the counselor lesson, assisting with Character Strong lessons, and Career Focused lessons in 8th grade. All Instruction is focused through the lens of the ASCA mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success. 
• Appraisal and Advisement- assessing student abilities, interests and achievement to help them make decisions about their future. 
• Counseling- providing professional assistance and support provided to a student or small group of students during times of transition, heightened stress, critical change or other situations impeding student success. School counselors do not provide therapy or long-term counseling in schools; however, school counselors are prepared to recognize and respond to student mental health needs and to assist students and families seeking resources.

Indirect Student Services Including:

• Consultation- share strategies supporting student achievement with parents, teachers, other educators
• Collaboration- work with other educators, parents and the community to support student achievement
• Referrals- support for students and families to school or community resources for additional assistance and information