PURPOSE

1. The purpose of the Counseling Department is to help each student achieve his/her highest potential academically, emotionally, and socially.

2. The counselor assists each student in recognizing his/her strengths and weaknesses and assists him/her in making a wise decision in the choice of a college and/or career.

COUNSELOR ASSIGNMENT
Every student is assigned to a counselor who acts as an advisor, an advocate and a counselor. The counselor will see each student during the school year as needed. Students may arrange to see their counselors by contacting the secretary of the Counseling Department. Discussions of personal concerns are kept confidential between the counselor and the student unless the situation demands reporting because of danger or state requirements.

SERVICES
The counselor works with the students in the following areas:   

• Adjustment

• Personal Concerns   

• Abilities & Interests       

• Referral to Outside Agencies   

• Achievement           

• Registration   

• College Selection       

• Self-improvement   

• Course Selection       

• Study Skills   

• Occupations/Careers       

• Tutoring

Testing Program:

• 8th Grade - High School Placement Test or Writing Sample, MAPP

• Freshman - Pre-ACT

• Sophomore - Pre-ACT

• Junior - PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test),   ACT (American College Test), SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)

• Senior - AP (Advanced Placement Tests)

College Representative Visits
Representatives from colleges, vocational and technical schools are encouraged to meet with students when they visit our school throughout the year. Students will be allowed one college representative visit per class, per week.

Scholarships
The school cooperates with approved scholarship programs sponsored by county, state and national agencies. Many colleges, universities, and private organizations offer scholarships. Students interested in applying for scholarships should remember that excellent scholastic records, qualities of character and leadership, outstanding talents, and financial need are considered by colleges in awarding scholarships. For information on scholarships, students should consult the Counseling Department or visit the Alleman website under Counseling for a current listing of available scholarships.

NCAA ClearingHouse
If you want to play sports at an NCAA Division I or II school, start by registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center at eligibilitycenter.org dur-ing your sophomore year. Visit eligibilitycenter.org for a full list of your high school’s core courses. Sliding Scale Divisions I and II use sliding scales to match test scores and GPAs to determine eligibility. The sliding scale balances your test score with your GPA. If you have a low test score, you need a higher GPA to be eligible. If you have a low GPA, you need a higher test score to be eligible. Find more information about sliding scales at NCAA.org/playcollegesports. Test Scores: You may take the ACT or SAT as many times as you want before you enroll full time in college, but remember to list the NCAA Eligibility Center (code 9999) as a score recipient whenever you take a test. We can accept official scores only from ACT or SAT and we won’t use the scores from your high school transcript. If you direct the ACT or SAT to send us your scores every time you take a test, we will choose the best scores from each test subject to create your sum score.

College Days
Students are encouraged to visit colleges and universities. Visits may not be taken during the last week of any quarter without prior approval from the student’s counselor. The student should obtain a College Visitation Form from his/her counselor. The form must be completed and returned to the Main Office at least two (2) days in advance of the intended college visit. The form requires the signature of a parent and each of the student’s teachers. Upon returning the student is required to submit, on the college letterhead, a signed statement by the admissions personnel, as verification of his/her presence on campus. This signed verification must be taken to the Attendance Office for readmission to classes. This absence will be recorded as a college visit only if the proper procedures are followed.

Study Abroad
Alleman supports student growth and increased knowledge of other cultures; however there are many things to consider before deciding on a year abroad.

• Graduation requirements remain in effect. Course must be approved by AHS in advance.

• The state requirement of 60 contact hours per ½ credit must be met.

• Students are responsible for making sure transcripts are sent to AHS.

• Grades that we do receive are often “S” or “U” and they will not be changed to a letter grade. All such courses will be recorded as Pass (P) or Fail (F) on the Alleman transcripts.

• Students will receive credit, but the course grades will not be part of their G.P.A. Historically, a year abroad has not helped the students’ ACT scores.

• Both junior and senior years are important in the college search, application and scholarship process.

• Students are responsible for determining how their transcript without a letter grade will be perceived by the college of their choice.

Students are encouraged to work closely with their counselor before, during and after the decision is made. Alleman students participating in an exchange student program as a part of their four years of high school credit are required to pay the General Fee for the year that they are away at school.

PROCEDURE FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Alleman High School always attempts to provide a Catholic education for all students regardless of student ability. However, the school is limited in the types of accommodations it can make for students of atypical ability. Alleman considers each student’s situation on an individual basis. The following outlines what is necessary in assessing a student’s situation and Aleman’s ability to meet the special needs that are identified for the student.

1. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to notify the School Resource Teacher at the start of each year if they are requesting special accommodations.

2. Students must have a current evaluation, diagnosis and plan completed by a licensed/certified professional in the psychological field. This professional can be of the parents’ choice or can be done through the student’s public school district. The student’s parents are responsible for the costs of the evaluation. “Current” means the evaluation document is less than three (3) years old. If the document is more than three years old, a new evaluation is required. This evaluation will contain a list of suggested accommodations for the student.

3. The School Resource Teacher, along with other school personnel when necessary, will review the student’s situation and professional recommendations to determine which accommodations Alleman can provide.

4. All accommodations that incur cost above that covered by the regular tuition will need to be paid by the parents of the student receiving the accommodations.

5. The student’s parents/guardians will receive a written copy of the agreed upon accommodations. The appropriate school personnel, parent/guardian, and the student will sign this agreement.

6. Once an agreement is signed, the student’s counselor will notify the student’s teachers in writing of the accommodations within two (2) weeks.

7. It is also the responsibility of the parent/guardian to request extended time on standardized tests. This must be done at least three (3) months in advance. A current evaluation must be on file at Alleman for this service to be provided.

8. It is the student’s responsibility to notify his/her counselor if the agreed upon accommodations are not being provided in the classroom.

9. In the event that the student is persistent in not cooperating with the agreed upon plan, Alleman High School may refuse to continue working with the student.