Counseling Services
Junior School Students' Developmental Needs
Junior school is an exciting, yet challenging time for students, their parents and teachers. During this passage from childhood to adolescence, junior school students are characterized by a need to explore a variety of interests, connecting their learning in the classroom to its practical application in life and work, high levels of activity coupled with frequent fatigue due to rapid growth, a search for their own unique identity as they begin turning more frequently to peers rather than parents for ideas and affirmation, extreme sensitivity to comments from others, and heavy reliance on friends to provide comfort, understanding and approval. (ASCA, 2013)
Meeting the Challenge
Junior school counselors are professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. Junior school counselors do not work in isolation; rather, they are integral to the total educational program. They provide proactive leadership that engages all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help students achieve success in school. Professional school counselors align with the school’s mission to support the academic achievement of all students as they prepare for the ever-changing world of the 21st century.
Meet Our Counselor
Andria Lapthorn
Guidance
As a School Counselor, Mrs. Andria Lapthorn works with students, teachers, and parents to support student academic, college/career and social/emotional needs. Her responsibilities include student scheduling, connecting families to community resources, and providing school programs to address student development. Mrs. Lapthorn brings experience as a high school teacher and school counselor to her work with middle schoolers and families during these pivotal transitional years.