counseling
gala counseling department
The GALA Counseling Department is here to support you through your educational journey at GALA. We are here to provide academic/college advisement and support your social emotional health.
counseling vision
All GALA students benefit from a comprehensive School Counseling Program, driven by student data and based on the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model supporting: Academic Development, College/Career Development, and Personal, Social, Emotional/Mental-Health Development.
counseling mission
The mission of the GALA School Counseling Program is to foster a healthy school culture and environment that nurtures and inspires all students to achieve their highest individual potential. We provide academic and social emotional systems to support the schools mission to provide a highly rigorous college preparatory, STEM- focused curriculum fostering academic excellence, ethical leadership and intellectual curiosity.
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We address student needs through a combination of individual counseling sessions, parent education, development of the Individual Graduation Plan (IGP), the development of a college plan, support through the advisory system, friendship circles and peer counseling.
academic advisement
Starting in 6th grade you will meet with your parents and your counselor at least once per year to discuss your Individual Graduation Plan (IGP). In middle school, your IGP includes developing goals and the skills needed to progress through the rigorous GALA curriculum. In high school you will focus on career and college admissions goals.
social emotional advisement
Through our advisory system you will learn many social emotional skills which focus on building a life/school balance and resiliency skills. The counseling team allows for an extension of social emotional learning and support by holding individual and group counseling sessions and providing support for families to seek outside agency assistance.
college advisement and testing
Starting in 6th grade students will complete career and personal goal setting lessons through the Naviance on-line system. In 8th grade students will begin testing with the PSAT8/9 test which will continue through the 11th grade. The results of this test will allow students to develop a testing plan through the development of a College Board account and Khan Academy lessons.
In High School students plan their A-G college pathway through their Individual Graduation Plan meetings, parents receive advice through individual and group meetings. AP and SAT 1 testing take place on our campus. AP testing is offered for free or at a reduced cost through our Friends of GALA support organization. In 11th grade students develop their college lists, college essays and Common Application portfolio which are refined through the Fall semester of 12th grade.
Students receive individual counseling sessions in 11th and 12th grade regarding college choices and application procedures. Financial Aid workshops are held on site with a focus on completing FAFSA.
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counseling Team
