Gaithersburg High School - Counseling Services

About Counseling Services

Services Offered

School counselors help students make appropriate personal, career, and educational decisions. In either individual or in group sessions, the counselors:

help students to achieve increased self-awareness and feeling of self-worth
provide opportunities for students to discuss personal and/or social problems that may affect learning, motivation, and personal development
assist students in acquiring decision-making skills to make appropriate educational, career, and personal decisions
provide testing and test interpretation to help students analyze their interests, abilities and values with respect to career awareness.
meet annually with each student to plan an educational program consistent with his/her needs (Four-Year Plan).
provide information to students and parents about colleges, careers, and vocational schools
take an active role in working with the administration to inform students and parents of guidance programs.
act as student advocates in any reasonable cause.
collect and interpret information needed for student conferences, e.g., Educational Management Team (EMT) meetings.
work with teachers and parents to help students achieve their potential in school

Procedures To See Your Counselor

Although counselor assignments are made for administrative purposes, an "open door" policy exists. Students may make an appointment to see a counselor of their preference. Counselors are available to see students on a drop-in basis before school, during lunch, and after school.
To make an appointment for another time, the student should fill out the online Student Appointment Request Form. Please include the student's email address. When you press "Submit" your request will go to your counselor. As soon as possible, the counselor will send a pass to the student's class.

Procedure for Parents

In order to see your child's counselor, please call 301-840-4727 make an appointment. Counselors are more likely to be able to meet with you by calling ahead.

Course & Schedule Changes

Because staff members spend a great deal of time and energy developing an individual student's schedule during the registration and scheduling processes, they expect students to stay with their assigned schedules. Students requesting a change from AP or Honors to Regular class, MUST complete the appropriate form. Forms are obtained in the Counseling Services Department. Changes will only be made with approval from administration, counselor, teachers, and parents.

Counseling Services Secretary

The Counseling Services Secretary is the receptionist for all counseling services. He or she makes all the appointments for counseling conferences, contacts teachers for homework when a student is ill, and assists the home instruction teachers. Students who have changes of address or phone number should notify the Counseling Office.

College & Career Center

Registrar's Office