The Responsibility of a School Counselor is to help students learn to become individuals of good character who show good moral judgment as well as develop social accountability for their actions and choices.

HMS Counseling Vision Statement

The Vision of the Highland Middle School Counseling Program is to produce educated students who feel empowered to become high-achieving lifelong learners who have graduated with the skills and knowledge needed for college and career-ready futures.  Our students leave us feeling inspired to meet their personal and career goals, in order to become productive citizens for the world.

HMS Counseling Mission Statement

The mission of the Highland Middle School Counseling Department is to provide all students with a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate, data-driven program that develops the academic, personal/social, and career skills necessary to become effective students, responsible citizens, productive workers, and lifelong learners.  Our Program fosters a school climate where students feel safe, are educated, empowered, and inspired to make positive choices that will lead them toward success.  Our counselors work as leaders and advocates within our school, alongside teachers, parents, administrators, and community members to ensure all students, regardless of individual differences, are prepared to achieve their fullest potential. 

Our School Counseling Program offers a variety of services:  

• Individual Counseling:
  Any student can meet with the counselors upon request. Student needs are often self-identified, recognized by a teacher, school administrator, or the counselor.  Our School Counseling Program uses a variety of research based counseling theories and techniques, but most often provides Brief Solution Focused counseling strategies.  During individual counseling sessions (usually 15-20 min length), counselors help students identify a specific concern, help them brainstorm 1-2 specific strategies for changing their behavior/identified problem, and then follow-up with them to see how their situation has changed.  Our role is to help students learn how to feel self-confident and successful in all areas of their life.

• Group Counseling:
  Throughout the year, the counselors may find that several students in a class, grade, or in the entire school are struggling with the same concern.  When this happens, our counselors will form a small group (generally 4-8 students) that will meet for 4-6 weeks. During these meetings, students will learn strategies that will help them better control themselves or their situation. 

• Consultation:
  Teachers, administrators, and parents are encouraged to contact the counselors if they have concerns about a student or want to learn more about effective strategies that may benefit the student. Reasons for consultation include, but are not limited to: academic performance, social skills, loss of a loved one, and/or behavioral concerns.  Our counselors are responsible for maintaining and ensuring proper follow through of all 504 plans.

Please contact one of the counselors if you have any questions or concerns about your student.  We are here to help! 

HMS School Counseling Advisory Council 

A School Counseling Advisory Council is a representative group of stakeholders who are selected to review and advise on the implementation of the school counseling program. 

Councils assist Counselors by:

• Advising on annual student outcome goals

• Reviewing annual student outcome goal results

• Making recommendations about the school counseling program

• Advocating and engaging in public relations for the school counseling program

• Advocating for funding and resources

If you would like to be a part of the HMS School Counseling Advisory Council, please contact Mrs. Fortner