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Counseling Program

Philosophy and Objectives

 

 

The philosophy of The Brentwood School guidance program is to provide a comprehensive program that promotes and enhances student learning through three broad and interrelated areas of student development. Each of these areas of student development encompass a variety of desired student learning competencies, which in turn are comprised of specific knowledge, attitudes and skills. The foundation of our developmental school counseling program includes:

 

  • Academic development
  • Career development
  • Personal/social development

 

Comprehensive school counseling and guidance programs are an integral part of the total educational program. All students benefit from programs that are developmental in nature, preventive in design, and comprehensive in scope. We employ strategies to enhance academics, provide career awareness, develop employment readiness, encourage self awareness and advocacy, foster interpersonal communication skills and impart life success skills for all students.

 

The goal of The Brentwood School’s Guidance and Counseling Program is to help students develop and successfully complete an educational plan that meets state graduation requirements and fits the students’ personal needs, interests, abilities, and career aspirations. We believe the personal/social aspects of the student cannot be totally separated from the academic. One of our goals is to assist students with coping/resiliency mechanisms, and personal/interpersonal skills that will enable them to better focus in the classroom and in life.

 

We recognize that students who experience success in their learning environment both academically and socially are better equipped to proceed after high school. These successes foster a high regard for self and others, full participation in the school’s curricular and extracurricular programs, and an appreciation for present learning and future possibilities.

 

The Brentwood School guidance and counseling plan includes:

 

  • A guidance curriculum that provides all students the knowledge and skills appropriate to their developmental level through a collaborative model of delivery involving the school counselors, classroom teachers, and other appropriate education professionals.

 

  • Individual planning with all students to assist in establishing individual goals and developing future plans through coordinated, ongoing systemic activities, including personalized, individual goal setting and parental involvement.

 

  • A responsive services component of supportive, short term counseling with the goal of facilitating the educational functioning or academic achievement of all students. This includes individual counseling, crisis assessment and referral, consultation with school personnel, parents, local agencies, conflict resolution, drop out prevention, substance use and abuse issues, college and career counseling and individual, school, family or peer issues impacting the educational environment.

 

  • A systems support component that establishes, maintains and enhances the total school guidance and counseling program.