HS Program of Studies

GUIDANCE SERVICES

Every student at Londonderry High School is assigned to a School Counselor. Students have access to counselors on an individual and/or group basis whenever the need arises. The purpose of counseling is to help students make intelligent decisions that meet their personal, educational, and vocational objectives. The counseling staff is concerned with helping students gain a clearer understanding of their abilities and interests. However, students have the responsibility to decide for themselves the important goals for their lives, and they are accountable for their decisions. The Director of School Counseling is also available for all guidance services, including post-secondary counseling and reference letters.

LHS Guidance components include: - Provide counseling for students with personal concerns. - Provide academic counseling for students. - Provide informational services for students and parents. - Assist students with college and career planning. - Serve as a consultant to parents of assigned students. - Collaborate with and serve as a resource person to faculty, staff, and administration. - Contribute to the continual promotion of an educational climate in which students can grow intellectually and emotionally. Students can schedule appointments to see their School Counselor during a study period, lunch, and/or before or after school. Parents or guardians are encouraged to call their student's counselor with concerns. Counselors and teachers welcome conferences.

STUDENT RECORDS(According to Londonderry School District Policy)

Student records are maintained for each student in the following categories: directory information, academic records, standardized and individual testing, individual education plans, pupil placement team recommendations, attendance and enrollment data, and health records. The school principal is responsible for the maintenance of these records. The Director of School Counseling shall make a written record of the disclosure of all student information except directory information, and such record will be kept in the student’s file. This record of disclosure is also available for inspection by the parent or eligible student*. A record of inspection will also be kept.

Amendment of Records:

The parent or eligible student may request that the record be amended in respect to information alleged to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the privacy rights of the student. Such requests shall be in writing, dated, and addressed to the principal. In the event that the school district decides to refuse the request to amend, the Director of School Counseling shall inform the parent or eligible student and shall advise said person of his/her rights to a hearing in compliance with the law.

Destruction of Records:

As a general rule, all student records except the permanent record (student grade transcript) will be destroyed within seven years after the student graduates or otherwise withdraws from school. The permanent school record will be retained by the school for a minimum of 50 years.

Parents and eligible students wishing to inspect student records must file a written request to do so with the Director of School Counseling. Single copies of records will be made available to parents free of charge. Additional copies are fifty cents per page. Records will be kept in the student’s file of all copies made, when made, and to whom provided.
*Eligible student shall mean a student who has attained 18 years of age or is attending an institution of post-secondary education. Parent shall mean a student’s biological or adoptive father or mother or court-appointed guardian or agency legally authorized to act on behalf of the child in place of, or in conjunction with, the father, mother, or guardian. The term as used shall include a divorced or separated parent, subject to any written agreement between parents or court order governing the rights of such parent that is brought to the attention of the school Director of School Counseling.

ADMISSION TO POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Requirements vary from school to school; therefore, students and parents are advised to review the catalogs of the schools in which they are interested for their particular admission requirements. Many catalogs are available in the School Counseling Department or can be obtained directly from the college. During the school year, admissions officers from many post-secondary schools will visit our school. The dates of these visits will be announced. Interested juniors and seniors will be given the opportunity to meet with these representatives to discuss their schools with them. Suggested completion of the following must be considered when applying to post-secondary schools.

English

Mathematics

Social Studies

Science

Foreign Language

Highly Selective

College

4 years

(8 semesters)

4 years

(8 semesters)

Including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry, and Pre-Calculus or Calculus

3-4 years

(6-8 semesters)

Including advanced level electives

3-4 years

(6-8 semesters)

Including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics

3-4 years

(6-8 semesters)

at the high school level

Recommended that a student study one language for a continued sequence

Four-Year

College

4 years

(8 semesters)

3-4 years

(6-8 semesters)

Including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II

3 years

(6 semesters)

2-3 years

(4-6 semesters)

Including Biology, and Chemistry or Physics

2-3 years

(4-6 semesters)

at the high school level

Recommended that a student study one language for a continued sequence

Two-Year/Vocational and Technical Institute

4 years

(8 semesters)

3 years

(6 semesters)

Including Algebra I and Geometry

3 years

(6 semesters)

2-3 years

(4-6 semesters)

Including Biology, and Chemistry or Physics

Not Required

Students are advised to follow a solid college preparatory program throughout their four years of high school if they wish to be competitive for college admission. A substantial deviation from the suggested program may jeopardize the achievement of this objective. It is suggested that parents make an appointment with the School Counselor prior to the middle of the student’s junior year to discuss college planning. College admissions personnel look very closely at the following: - Academic Record (Transcript): Most important is the student’s academic record since the ninth grade with special emphasis on junior and senior years. Consideration is given to the level of difficulty of courses taken, academic performance within those courses, and the student’s overall grade point average. - College Admission Tests: The SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT (American College Test) is required by most, but not all, four year colleges and some two year schools. See college catalogs or The College Handbook for specific information. The SAT Reasoning Test is generally taken in the spring of the junior year and the fall of the senior year. Students can register for the SATat www.collegeboard.org and for the ACT at www.ACT.org. - Letters of Recommendation - Co-Curricular Activities: The emphasis varies from college to college, but it is generally preferred that students be active contributors in one or two areas rather than superficial participants in many activities. - Senior Achievements: All colleges request end-of-year grades. Some schools have withdrawn acceptances because of poor performance and a limited course load in the second semester. Seniors are encouraged to continue to take challenging and demanding courses as well as use the time to explore new subject areas.

PORTFOLIOS

Students choosing certain career paths may be required to produce a portfolio for admission to post secondary education in that field. Students should contact the institution in which they have an interest to obtain the portfolio requirements. They should then contact the Londonderry High School Director of School Counseling for further instructions.