School Counseling

Office Hours: M-F 7:15 AM to 3:00 PM
Phone: 443-809-5110
Fax: 443-809-8707

School Counseling Mission Statement

To implement an ASCA aligned, comprehensive developmental program to address academic, career / college readiness and social emotional needs of all students within an equitable, safe and orderly learning environment. Through counseling, coordination and collaboration with colleagues and community, school counselors will empower students to overcome barriers to reach their maximum potential as responsible citizens and life-long learners in a 21st century global society.

School Counseling Vision Statement

The vision for the Perry Hall School Counseling department is rooted in the belief that all students can learn, grow and thrive. School Counselors support the academic, career and social-emotional development of all students by implementing an ASCA aligned comprehensive program. By partnering with parents, educators, and community stakeholders school counselors expect that students will be able to graduate through a rigorous high school experience and have access to a college or career program that enables them to become healthy, productive members of society. In this way students can become successful adults who hold college degrees, post-secondary degrees, vocational training, excel in decision making and can support themselves both social-emotionally and financially.


What do Professional School Counselors do?

Counselors meet the needs of all students through three general areas:

COUNSELING
Individual counseling, small group counseling, and classroom guidance.

Individual Counseling: Meeting with students in a one to one setting to aid with student concerns that may be keeping students from achieving at their highest potential.

Small Group Counseling: Based on need, the school counseling office offers small group counseling for issues such as divorce, social skills, grief and loss, etc. Small groups offer students the advantage of being in a comfortable atmosphere with 6-8 other students with similar concerns. Students enjoy the fact that they can meet with other students and discover that they "are not alone". Students can also develop coping strategies while also building a support network.

Classroom Guidance and School Wide Programming: Classroom guidance lessons can be on numerous topics such as study skills, career and college readiness, program planning, conflict resolution, and bullying to name a few. 

CONSULTATION
Counselors are available for consultation with parents and faculty. School counselors also participate in a variety of school teams to develop intervention plans and strategies to assist students, groups of students, or the entire school community. 

COORDINATION
School counselors play key roles in school-wide initiatives, conduct mediations, provide referrals to outside resources, and collaborate with others on student programs such as scholarships, college nights, career fairs, character education, values program, student recognition, staff development, etc.



School Counselor Roles
The students of Baltimore County Public Schools are served by school counselors on all levels Pre K-12.  The counselor’s role is considered an essential component in the students’ academic and social-emotional development.

School counselors are expected to develop an annual needs-based school counseling program for each school which is designed to realize three state goals for school counseling programs.  School counselors are required to assist all students in:
• Student Success
• Decision-making and Career Development
• Intrapersonal Self Management and Interpersonal Relationship Skills



School Counselors
The Department of Education of the State of Maryland mandates that all school counselors are graduates of a certified master’s level program in school counseling. 

The Baltimore County Public School system requires that school counselors commit themselves to ongoing professional development to maintain certification and advancement in their field.

The Office of School Counseling provides regular staff development and in-service training for school counselors. Additionally, the office encourages memberships in local, regional, and national professional organizations.


School counselors help students to navigate the high school experience. They support the academic, career/college and interpersonal/social needs of all students. School counselors guide students from the transition into high school through the transition to college and career. The Perry Hall High School Counseling Department offers a full range of services including: individual and group counseling, as well as classroom lessons, consultation with parents, teachers and outside agencies. Students who wish to meet with a counselor should identify their counselor by their last name alphabetically and submit a request in the School Counseling Office behind the Main Office. They will receive a pass in homeroom shortly thereafter.