Today's Middle Schooler

Today’s middle school student can be characterized by rapid physical growth, curiosity about their world, and an emerging self-identity.  Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, counselors work as a team member with school staff, parents and the community to create a caring, supportive climate and atmosphere whereby young adolescents can achieve academic success.   

Middle school is an exciting, yet challenging time for students, their parents and their teachers. During this passage from childhood to adolescence, middle school students are characterized by a need to explore a variety of interests that include:
  • Connecting their learning in the classroom to its practical application in life and work
  • Searching for an identity of their own as they begin turning more frequently to peers rather than parents for ideas and affirmation
  • Extreme sensitivity to the comments perceived by others 
  • Very dependent on friends to provide comfort, understanding and approval.


Middle school years allow student to continue awareness activities, and learning is focused on: 
  • Improving academic self-efficacy
  • Understanding self and the career exploration process
  • Respecting self and others
  • Establishing effective relationships
  • Increasing self- awareness
  • Increasing social skills 

SCHOOl COUNSELING CURRICULUM

•   Academic skills support
•   Organizational, study and test-taking skills
•   Education in understanding self and others
•   Coping strategies
•   Peer relationships and effective social skills
•   Communication, problem-solving, decision-making 
•   Career awareness, exploration and planning
•   Suicide prevention and education
•   Substance abuse education
•   Multicultural/diversity awareness

SYSTEM SUPPORT

•   Professional development
•   Consultation, collaboration and teaming
•   Program management and operation

INDIVIDUAL STUDENT PLANNING

•   Goal-setting/decision- making
•   Academic planning
•   Career planning
•   Education in understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses
•   Transition planning

RESPONSIVE SERVICES

•   Individual and small group counseling
•   Individual/family/school crisis intervention
•   Peer facilitation
•   Consultation/collaboration
•   Referrals