We aim to :
• Foster wellness while supporting students and their families as they navigate the challenges that come with balancing adolescent development within an academically rigorous environment .
• Provide support and resources to students facing challenges with emotional , interpersonal , health , and / or academic concerns .
• Provide academic language support for English + students across all subject areas .
• Host Student Services Parent Information Sessions with the Heads of Grade throughout the year at each grade level . Sessions are designed to facilitate meaningful conversation with parents and / or guardians .
Academic and Post-Secondary Counselling
Academic and post-secondary counsellors work with students from Grade 8 to 12 , to advise them in many areas including course selection , enrichment opportunities , career , and postsecondary options . In addition , students receive support regarding scholarship applications .
Post-secondary planning at CHS is a guided process based on developmental stages and best practices . Students are urged to avoid accelerating through the program , assuming more is better , and basing decisions on rumour and hearsay .
Grade 8 and 9
• Facilitated during Career Education 8 and 9 courses during scheduled Extended Advisory Thursdays .
• The focus for Grade 8 and 9 students is to explore existing and new interests by trying new courses , considering summer nonacademic courses or programs of enrichment , and engagement in the co-curricular program .
• Post-Secondary Counsellors and teachers will advise and write reference letters for optional summer programs . These programs are posted and updated weekly on the Career
Exploration Opportunities Canvas page by the Assistant Department Head of Career Education & Post-Secondary Counselling .
• Students and parents / guardians are welcome to book individual meetings if they have specific questions not answered in either career classes or at a parent information session .
IMPORTANT NOTE : Students are urged to postpone any post-secondary preparation course such as taking AP courses or SAT / ACT prep courses until Grade 11 . CHS restricts AP courses ( offered by the school ) and all AP exam writing to students in Grades 11 and 12 .
Grade 10
• Focus for Grade 10 learning includes :
• Understanding the BC Graduation Program and the requirements for graduation including number of credits , required courses , graduation assessments ;
• Making informed course selection for Grades 11 and 12 that will prepare students for post-secondary application requirements as well as programs of study ; and
• Learning about a range of post-secondary options including application processes for Canadian , US , UK , and International schools as well as the options of a ‘ gap ’ year .
• Group meetings with the Post-Secondary Counsellors are facilitated through Extended Advisory Thursdays during scheduled times .
• In Career-Life Education 10 , students complete a unit of study with the Post- Secondary Counsellors and undertake a post-secondary overview which is comprehensive in scope and an excellent entry into the planning process .
• All Grade 10 students complete the Grade 10 Numeracy and Literacy Assessments when scheduled ( varies - November , January or April ).
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