Counselor: ML Cruey
Counselor: Jessica Justus
Secretary: Patty Smith
Who are we?
Director of Guidance: Patricia Sebens (11th & 12th grade counselor)
Guidance Counselor: ML Cruey (8th, 9th & 10th grade counselor)
Secretary: Patty Smith
Things we do:
Student registration Keep student records
Testing (SOL, Stanford, Career, GED) Personal counseling
Career counseling Educational counseling/guidance
Group guidance College counseling
Sponsor College Bound Club Sponsor Career Club
Financial Aid Workshop Adult High School registration
SAT testing Parent conferences
Program of Studies 5 year academic plan
Transcripts
Tips for Parents:
In 8th grade you should be:
- Helping your child select appropriate classes for their 5 year plan based on their interests, grades, and achievement scores.
- Helping your child explore and talk about what they want to be when they grow up. Encourage them to do the best they can in school so that they have more choices as they grow up.
- Encouraging your child to get involved in at least one activity at school. This can help your child build a sense of community and their value in it.
- Having your child read as much as possible. If they are not book readers, have them read anything that interests them.
- Helping your child use the after-school tutoring program for all grade levels at GHS. If your child needs help in a core subject (English, Math, Science, or Social Studies), have them stay after for help. A bus runs at 4:30 each day of tutoring.
- Planning for college. It is never too early to start saving money. Every penny helps. Money from a summer job or babysitting can add up and the experience also looks good on college applications.
- Encouraging your child to explore the world of work.
In 9th grade you should be:
- Reminding your freshman that grades count and learning should be their primary focus in school.
- Starting to consider what kind of college or vocational training will be appropriate for your child.
- Helping your student decide which diploma they want to get by the end of this year. For an Advanced Studies Diploma, 10th grade is their last chance to start the three years of a foreign language. (This assumes that they are getting �C�s� or better in English.)
- Considering participation in the WCC or Virginia Tech Upward Bound programs to help students improve grades and go to college. Get a brochure from guidance to see if your child might qualify.
In 10th grade you should be:
- Thinking about ways your child can explore different careers (internships, summer jobs, volunteering, etc.) and get them involved.
- Encouraging your sophomore take the PSAT and SAT in October if considering college (see guidance for sign-up).
- Our SAT prep course is offered several weeks before each testing date. Decide if this something he will need & sign him up as school begins in the fall.
- Encouraging your sophomore to become an officer of one of the clubs he is involved in. Leadership is an important skill to have.
In 11th grade you should be:
-Making sure your child takes the SAT in October if he is considering college. You can apply via mail (see guidance for an application) or online at www.collegeboard.com. Taking the PSAT in their Junior year gives them a chance to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
- Visiting several colleges or vocational training centers that have the programs your child is interested in. Seek a �good fit�. If you or your child does not feel comfortable and welcome at that school, don�t apply there. Juniors and seniors can visit two schools each year as a limited absence. When searching for a school, don�t count out private colleges. With financial aid and scholarships sponsored by the college, they may be more affordable than public colleges. Your child may even feel more at home at a small private college than at a large public school.
- Having your child sign up to go to the college fair at Carroll Co. High School in the fall of their junior & senior year.
- Attending our financial aid workshop in January.
- Starting to look for scholarships. If your junior is willing to do the work, she can find lots of stuff on the web. Don�t be fooled by �too good to be true� programs. Work-study programs can be a good option to loans if you qualify.
- Having your junior consider which teachers would be good candidates for college recommendations. Don�t overload any one teacher.
In 12th grade you should be:
- Having your senior retake SAT�s in October (maybe also in December).
- Having your child finalize his college choices in the early fall, and apply. Keep up with all deadlines on a calender and turn things in early. Have your senior write essays for applications early and get them proof read.
- Applying for scholarships and financial aid (FAFSA). Don�t forget the Galax Foundation for Educational Excellence Scholarships.
- Having transcripts sent to all of the schools that your child applied to before the deadline dates. If your child is or has taken any college classes, request that the community college send a transcript to all the schools she is applying to, otherwise she may have to retake a class she�s taken already. - Encouraging your senior to follow through second semester. It is not the time to slack off. Colleges look at grades at the end of the year. If they don�t like what they see, they can take their acceptance away.
For Parents
For Students
Program of Studies
Study Skills
Scholarships
Adult Education
Adult Ed Classes
Taking the GED at GHS
Galax City Public Schools
Get your GED
Virginia Dept. of Ed.
Project Graduation Calculator
Galax, Carroll, Grayson Chamber of Commerce
Galax Weather
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College Board
Common Application
FAFSA Online
Guidance Office
200 Maroon Tide Dr.
Galax, VA 24333
(276) 236-2991
(276) 236-8011 Fax