High School

The AES counseling department consists of four counselors for Grades 9 - 12 and a school psychologist. Three counselors fill the role of comprehensive counseling and will provide university counseling in addition to supporting the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. The fourth counselor works to meet the social/emotional needs of all our students. All counselors work in partnership with families, faculty, administration, and outside resources in support of students achieving their goals.

AES Counselors provide services to students, parents, school staff, and the community in the following areas: 

• Counselors coordinate and implement ongoing systematic activities designed to assist students individually in establishing personal goals and developing plans through Individual and small-group guidance.

• Responsive services consist of activities that meet the students’ immediate, unplanned, social, and emotional needs. Usually necessitated by life changes, events, and conditions (such as death, transition, divorce, fights with friends, a breakup, etc.) in the students’ lives, these needs require consultation, counseling, referrals, peer mediation, and information.

The guidance curriculum is a structured developmental curriculum that is designed to assist students in achieving the desired competencies and to provide all students with the appropriate knowledge and skills. The guidance curriculum is presented systematically through classrooms, individual student planning, and small group activities. The knowledge, skills, and attitudes are taught using a variety of curriculum activities and materials. 

Mission Statement

American Embassy School Counselors assist students in discovering themselves, their interests, and their unique educational pathway. AES Counselors support the social-emotional and academic growth of each student. Counselors collaborate with students, staff, and families to maximize each student’s potential by delivering a developmentally and culturally appropriate program.

University Philosophy 

American Embassy High School Counselors provide comprehensive university guidance for students in grades 9-12. AES Counselors believe “college is a match to be made, not a prize to be won” (Frank Sachs). The highest priority is to help students clarify their values, assess their strengths, and identify their goals for post-secondary education and then provide them and their families with accurate information and guidance about colleges and the admissions process.

AES College/University Admission counseling begins in the ninth grade with the introduction of MaiaLearning and becoming more specific with each passing grade level including student self-discovery and career exploration. American Embassy High School Counselors aim to advise students to gain admission to colleges and universities that fit their intellectual and personal abilities, their interests, and personal aspirations.

AES counselors, with an extensive history working with students and families, understand and acknowledge the value of aiming high for students’ post-secondary education. AES counselors are both “college advisors” AND “counselors,” they strive for a healthy balance for their students’ academic endeavors and emotional health to ensure optimum readiness for university and beyond.

University Representatives to schedule a visit please go to MaiaLearning.com.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available for high school students in Grades 9 and 10.  New students entering Grades 9 or 10 require a high intermediate to advanced level of English proficiency in order to access the curriculum.  This will be assessed online during the application process.

EAL students are fully mainstreamed  or immersed into English 9/10 and World History 9/10 courses with their age and grade level peers.  

Students in Grades 9 and 10 who need additional English language instruction receive this through an EAL support class which replaces a World Language course. The EAL teacher works closely with the Social Studies and English departments to determine the necessary skills which will be used weekly in their content areas. These skills become the lessons of the week in the student’s EAL classes. Strategies such as pre-teaching, reviewing, re-teaching, providing additional time, etc. are used to fine-tune the acquisition of needed skills. Support can also extend into Math and Science by helping students with the English needed for these content areas.