Crystal Clark, Executive Director of Student Support Services

School counseling plays an integral role in the lives of children. It can shape and transform student, family, and community outcomes. Over the years, the school counseling framework has shifted from simply guidance. The title has been changed from Guidance Counselors to School Counselors to ensure the title's connotation is aligned with the diversity and broad scope of the job duties (ASCA, 2019). School counseling involves taking on a holistic viewpoint of children to address the growing and changing needs of the 21st-century learner.

The Rochester City School District's Department of School Counseling serves students in grades K-12. School counselors work with all students, families, and members of the community as an integral part of the educational program. School counseling programs promote school success through a focus on academic achievement, prevention and intervention activities, advocacy, and social/emotional and career development. School counselors work to promote student success by closing existing achievement gaps and providing access to a demanding academic program for each student. School counselors ensure that every student benefits directly from the comprehensive school counseling program.

It is our vision that every student will acquire the academic and social-emotional skills, post-secondary preparation and career exploration to reach their fullest educational potential.