Student Support
The Pasadena Unified School District offers a comprehensive educational counseling program that supports the success of all students. Services are provided by school counselors who are credentialed in pupil personnel services.
Counseling
PUSD’s extensive guidance program for students in grades 7 – 12 builds self-respect, awareness of others, and positive learning attitudes to sustain a life-long passion for learning. School counselors address the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. They offer guidance on class placement, and college and career planning.
Academic/Guidance
Academic/Guidance counselors advise and work with middle and high school students to develop immediate and long-term educational plans according to the student’s interests and needs. Counselors help optimize students’ academic progress by planning class schedules to fulfill high school graduation and college admissions requirements. They help students prepare and register for college admissions tests such as the PSAT and SAT, organize college fairs, serve as liaisons for college and technical schools, and help students search and apply for financial aid.
In middle school, the counseling program focuses on the rapidly changing needs of pre-and-early adolescents. School counselors help students learn decision-making skills, and explore future educational and occupational possibilities. The program stresses self-concept development and the acquisition of social skills needed for interpersonal relationships. Adjustments are made to fit the unique developmental needs of children ages 11-14, which can be a turbulent emotional time as sixth, seventh, and eighth graders begin asserting their independence. Counselors partner with each middle school student to create a four-year plan that meets graduation requirements, and is tailored to the student’s interests, aptitudes, and future educational and occupational goals.
In high school, counselors focus on helping students to become responsible adults with realistic and fulfilling life plans that are based upon a clear understanding of themselves, their needs, abilities, interests, and skills. The four-year plan started in middle school is reviewed and updated. Continued attention is given to helping high school students hone and develop their decision-making skills, particularly as they relate to post-high school education and career planning.
School counselors are located at each middle and high school in PUSD. To learn more about graduation requirements, and PUSD middle and high schools, go to High Schools and College and Career Pathways.
Career Pathway
Career Pathway counselors help students plan for the future, become aware of their career potential, and find internship opportunities. Also known as Regional Occupational Program (ROP) counselors, they help students develop aptitudes and skills, and connect with California industry sector employers who seek a skilled workforce. Career or ROP counselors are available at all PUSD middle and high schools. To find out more, visit the High Schools and College and Career Pathways webpage.
School Psychologists
School Psychologists provide academic and/or behavior intervention for students with special needs. They help design prevention and intervention plans for students with behavioral and/or academic needs. They also provide individual counseling for students, assessment, crisis Intervention, effective discipline training for parents, and coordinate with the school-based mental health services. For more information, visit the Child Welfare, Attendance & Safety webpage.
Social Workers
Social workers, who are Master's-level credentialed and serve as liaisons between the student, home and school, provide systemic support to referred students and their families. Social workers support students through advocacy, assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, program development, and referrals to community agencies. For more information, visit the Child Welfare, Attendance & Safety webpage.
Crisis Counseling
PUSD counselors are also part of a district-wide crisis response team that assists schools in the event of a crisis. Made up of school psychologists, school social workers, school counselors, and school nurses, the district crisis response team provides psychological first-aid, immediate coping counseling, teacher consultation, and administrative support. Crisis response team members receive school crisis response training. Team members are all normally assigned to specific schools, where they carry out their routine duties, but become part of the crisis response team when it is activated by a school or district administrator. For questions regarding the PUSD crisis response team, please contact Child Welfare, Attendance & Safety at 626.396.3600, extension 88238.
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