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Stephen Torode Academic and College Counselor
Valley Christian High School
San Jose, California
www.askmrtorode.com
Twitter.com/askmrtorode
WACAC SLC 2014
Guidance Staff Structure
Three 9th – 10th grade Counselors
Three 10th – 12th grade
Counselors
One Student Support Services
Counselor
WACAC SLC 2014
Parents comment:
“If I had only known sooner.”
WACAC SLC 2014
Makes college counseling easier
and alleviates stress.
WACAC SLC 2014
Students need to
know sooner how
success in middle
school builds toward
high school and
college, especially in
math and science.
WACAC SLC 2014
Information Gathering
Meeting with Junior High Math, Science,
History, and English Departments and finding
out what is working and what is not working.
What is being miscommunicated and how can
we correct it?
Develop a plan to better prepare students for
the transition from Jr. to Sr. High.
Developing documentation (Honors-level
placement recommendation, math, science,
and world language maps, 4-6 year plan)
WACAC SLC 2014
Warrior Welcome Nights
Counselor Connect Nights (March - May)
Helping parents and students transition
from 8th to 9th grade
Unique modified-block schedule
Class placement recommendations
made
WACAC SLC 2014
Comprehensive Options
They are not meant to produce
stress but to alleviate fears
through early education and awareness.
WACAC SLC 2014
Career Awareness
WACAC SLC 2014
What are Your Gifts
and/or Talents?
WACAC SLC 2014
Getting There from Here
WACAC SLC 2014
WACAC SLC 2014
Idea Paint
WACAC SLC 2014
Ideapaint.com
Organizational Skills
Keeping a calendar (using their
phones/Google Calendar, iCal)
File System
Teacher Websites
Accountability - Student sign in to
Optional Tutorial or after school
WACAC SLC 2014
First General Principle for
Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
Success
Challenge
WACAC SLC 2014
First General Principle for
Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
Success
Challenge
WACAC SLC 2014
First General Principle for
Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
Success
Challenge
WACAC SLC 2014
Second General Principle for
Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
WACAC SLC 2014
What do you think you’ll be doing
after graduation?
WACAC SLC 2014
Going straight to work or the military full time?
Attending a community college or a trade school for a
year or two, then going to work?
Taking General Education courses or Major
Requirements at a community college, then transferring
to a 4-year institution?
Enrolling straight into a 4-year college or university?
Honestly, I have no clue!
WACAC SLC 2014
Here is one way to view
your future after graduation.
WACAC SLC 2014
Find a Job You Love...
Turn your passion into a profession.
WACAC SLC 2014
What do Colleges Look For?
WACAC SLC 2014
Colleges Look for 3 Things First
1. Minimum number of required classes
2. GPA
3. SAT and/or ACT Scores
WACAC SLC 2014
9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
1. Christianity in Our
Culture/Old Testament
Survey or Studies
Christianity in Our
Culture/New Testament
Survey or Studies
Semester Bible
Electives
Semester Bible
Electives
2. (English / Literature)
3. (History / Social Science)
4. (Mathematics)
5. (Science Optional in 9th)
6. (Foreign Language)
7. P.E./Strength
8th class (optional) 8th class (optional) 8th class (optional) 8th class (optional)
8
Other P.E. Plans? ___________________Other Computer Software Course Plans? ______________________
4
4
3
3
2
1
2
WACAC SLC 2014
Make it Memorable.
WACAC SLC 2014
WACAC SLC 2014
Make it Accessible.
WACAC SLC 2014
Offer the Plans in
Multiple Formats Live meetings
Booklets
Webcasts / Podcasts
Prezi
FuzeBox and Google Hangouts (synchronous collaboration)
PDF or other portable document
Other Flash-Based Presentation
WACAC SLC 2014
Garage Band - Free-ware - Mac OS
WACAC SLC 2014
Slideshare.net WACAC SLC 2014
Prezi
WACAC SLC 2014
Talk About Failure.
Students need to know the direct
consequences of their actions
Credit recovery options – summer school
JUST DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
WACAC SLC 2014
Support the Plan
WACAC SLC 2014
Mentoring Groups
Facilitated by Leadership students
Meet once per month
10 students per leader
WACAC SLC 2014
Study Skills Seminar (Summer)
Helping incoming 9th graders who
struggle with organization, time-
management and study skills.
Students discern which learning style
best suits them and focuses on
acquiring tools to improve performance
on homework and and tests.
WACAC SLC 2014
Special Plans for
At-Risk Students
Assess special needs early
Accommodate the student
Dedicated counseling services
Game plan for students with
extended illnesses
WACAC SLC 2014
Highlands Ability Battery www.highlandsco.com
Counseling staff certified
Expensive option but
worthwhile
WACAC SLC 2014
Incentive Program
Reward students for positive academic
growth (Smartie Notes)
GPA group awards/certificates
(4.0 lunch with your counselor)
Enhance self esteem
WACAC SLC 2014
Student to Student
Tutoring Program
Establish list of high-end students
and pair them with students who
need help
Set up the relationship and
monitor
WACAC SLC 2014
Career Counseling Early
Earlier discussions about student’s interests,
gifts, and talents
Bring it up often
Bring in guests
Career search in Naviance/Family Connection
Help students find summer enrichment
opportunities
WACAC SLC 2014
“We are a Family”
Foster a sense of belonging
through clubs and activities
Social transition from Junior High
to Senior High
WACAC SLC 2014
Don’t go it Alone Resources and Help for parents
Naviance / Family Connection
College Board
Blog and Twitter for parents and
student communication
WACAC SLC 2014
Solid College Placement
Career Goals Met
Scholarship Opportunities
Maximized Talents
WACAC SLC 2014
Results?
Which doors will your key unlock?
WACAC SLC 2014
