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Counseling Staff and Services
The counseling department provides many services and programs for students, parents and faculty to assist in achieving academic success and in exploring options for the future. Counselors are assigned to students according to their last name. A list of counselor assignments can be found on the counseling homepage. They work with students individually, in small groups and in classroom guidance. Informational night meetings are provided for parents throughout the year.
Individual Counseling
Counselors meet with students to assist with educational, career, emotional, and behavioral needs. Guidance counselors provide short term and/ or crisis counseling. Counselors meet with students individually based upon student, teacher, and parent requests. Case loads of guidance counselors range from approximately 600 students to 800 students. Students will be seen in an appropriate timely manner dependant upon the caseload and commitments of each counselor.
Group Counseling
Counseling groups are offered to students to address specific individual needs. Group participation is considered instructional time and is not a class absence, students are responsible for the material that may have been missed in class. Communications within the group are strongly encouraged to be kept confidential. Although the types of groups offered differ each year depending on the needs of the students and counselors' schedules, the following are examples: ninth grade success groups, grief groups, self-esteem groups, study skills groups, new student groups, anger management groups, and foreign exchange groups.
College and Career Counseling
The DEN (Discover, Explore, Narrow Choices…) houses a wealth of information concerning occupations and post-secondary choices. A counseling staff member is available to assist students and parents in their search for information. Information concerning colleges, technical schools, careers and financial aid is available. Valuable education/ career planning tools are available on the DEN link of the Guidance Department website.
Classroom Guidance
Counselors conduct classroom guidance lessons throughout the school year in order to meet the standards and competencies set by Gwinnett County Public Schools, similar to standards set forth for curriculum areas. Classroom guidance lessons are an integral part of the student’s education.
Academic Advisement
Each counselor establishes their academic advisement plan based upon the competencies set by Gwinnett County. Students’ advisement plans are delivered throughout the school year by some of the following means: classroom guidance, small group or individual sessions. If students have specific questions regarding their academic plan they are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their counselor.
Confidentiality
A student has the right to privacy and confidentiality. A counseling relationship requires an atmosphere of trust and confidence between the student and counselor. Confidentiality ensures that disclosures will not be divulged to others except when authorized by the student or when there is a clear and present danger to the student and/ or to other persons (ASCA, 2005) GA Law 49-5-41.
Appointments
Students may schedule individual counseling appointments through the counseling office. A counseling appointment is considered instructional time and is not a class absence.
Parents may also request appointments with counselor by calling the assigned counselor. Parents are strongly encouraged to communicate any classroom questions and concerns directly with the student’s teacher before contacting the counselor.
If an emergency situation arises, please contact someone in our office. Please do not leave a voice message or email, counselors may not be available to respond to these if they are working with students and other faculty members. The office is open from 6:30a.m.-3:00p.m. Any emergencies after these times should be reported to the appropriate outside agency of your choice.
Transcript requests
Transcripts are available from the Counseling Office for a fee of $2 and completion of the transcript request form. A transcript consists of a copy of the student’s cumulative grades and Graduation Tests. Students are responsible for mailing applications, officially sealed transcripts, and all supporting materials. This procedure enables students to have the “hands-on control” of when and where transcripts are sent. Students need to complete the transcript request form and transcript waiver form to process the request.
 Transcript Request Form--Current Student
Transcript Waiver Form
Transcript Request Form--Former Student
Withdrawals
Parent or Guardian must come in to fill out withdrawal form and show Driver's License. Student must walk form around to teachers to get grades and turn in textbooks. This process takes at least 48 hours or longer.
HOPE Scholarship
For qualified students the HOPE Scholarship provides tuition in Georgia public colleges and technical schools. A copy of the student's social secuity card must be on file with PRHS to qualify for HOPE scholarship. For more information visit
www.gsfc.org
As of 4/1/08, ALL STUDENTS who have GaCollege411 accounts can check their HOPE GPA online:
1) Go to www.GAcollege411.org;
2) Log on MY411 accounts;
3) Select MY411 in the top left corner;
4) Select MY Financial Aid on left menu;
5) Select HOPE GPA Calculation Report
Continue to check this site because Georgia Student Finance Commission states that the procedure for accessing your HOPE GPA may change.
College visits
If a student is interested in visiting a college, they need to go to the attendance office for a prearranged absence form. This form is due a week prior to the college visit.
If a student is interested in meeting with a college representative that comes to PRHS, they must sign up in the guidance office in advance to receive a pass.
Address Changes
Complete the attached data change form or obtain one from the counseling office. Proof of residency is also required for an address change. Refer to the enrollment document for details on required documentation. The address will not be changed until all required documentation is received in the guidance office. If requested, a new bus pass will be issued upon submission of required documentation.
Data Change Form
Enrollment Document
Work permits
Work permit data sheets are available at the front kiosk.
Certificate of Attendance
Students should visit the attendance office to obtain information on certificates of attendance.
Schedule changes
Counselors do not make schedule changes at Peachtree Ridge High School. We work with students on academic advisement and course selections. Students are encouraged to listen for announcements from the Curriculum Office regarding schedule change procedures.
Tutoring
Students can schedule tutoring with their academic teacher or another teacher within the academic area before or after school. With the fast pace of block scheduling, students are encouraged not to delay seeking out tutoring assistance as soon as the need arises.
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