Navigating high school without counselors can be tricky for students and their families, but some have limited or no access to these professionals.
Twenty-one percent of U.S. high schools don’t have counselors, according to the most recent federal data. Throughout K-12 education, one counselor is available for every 482 students — nearly twice the number the American School Counseling Association recommends, according to data the group released this month.
Counselors help students with academics, socioemotional issues and preparations for college and careers, says Leah Zimmerman, a school counselor at Crookston High School in Minnesota. In the state, one counselor is available for every 723 students.
[Learn more about how high school counselors help families.]
Zimmerman, also president of the Minnesota School Counselors Association, says that with “one person to 700 kids, your time with each one of them is pretty limited — to help them figure out the rest of their life.”
Parents with limited or no access to counselors may struggle to help their high schooler thrive. But these three tips may help.
1. Help teens determine what’s next: Some students have no idea what they want to do with their life, says Loren Dittmar, a school counselor at Santa Susana High School in California. Counselors work with students for years and can help them discover new options.
Students unsure about college, for example, could take a gap year, participate in a community service program like AmeriCorps or consider jobs that require a certificate, Zimmerman says.
Families should always try to contact the counselor at their school for help, even if they generally have limited access to the individual, says Dittmar. Often counselors create websites or use group email lists to communicate advice or information to families, he says — and advocates parents use these tools.
They could also ask counselors at other schools for help. Dittmar, the high school vice president of the California Association of School Counselors, says he’d gladly take general questions.
Along with conducting online research, parents can help students set up job-shadowing experiences to explore their career options, Zimmerman says. They should ask teens questions to determine their strengths and interests, she adds.
2. Find information on applying to college: Sometimes, parents hire professional college counselors to help them navigate the college admission process, Zimmerman says, but that’s an extra cost.
Instead, families can go directly to colleges their student is interested in to find out more about the admissions process, she says. Admission counselors can help direct parents to the information they need, she says.
College applications often require recommendations from counselors, who can compare students to their peers at the school, Dittmar says. If students don’t have a counselor to provide this, Dittmar advises they contact school administrators for help. Zimmerman adds that they should likewise contact the school office for transcript questions.
[Find out questions seniors should ask high school counselors.]
3. Consider outside support for academic and socioemotional issues: Parents of students struggling academically should ensure teens communicate with their teachers, Zimmerman says.
While students should be doing most of the talking, she says, parents should still advocate for their student and check in with his or her teachers. But it’s often easier for overloaded teachers to communicate electronically, she says.
Schools may likewise offer resources, such as after-school tutoring, to help students who are struggling academically, Dittmar says. And community-based organizations may offer services to help with socioemotional issues, like depression and anxiety, Dittmar says.
“It can be frustrating for parents, because teens don’t like to open up to them,” Zimmerman says. Sometimes a responsible mentor can help. She suggests that parents look for organizations like the Boys & Girls Club that offer mentorship programs.
Without counselors, students can miss out, Zimmerman says. “Your students aren’t getting provided with the same services as others,” she says. She tells parents to reach out to school officials and advocate for counselors.
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Tips for Families to Survive High School Without Counselors originally appeared on usnews.com
