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Your direct connection to your child's education.

Guidance Counseling for Students

The Guidance Office provides academic and career guidance to students. As part of that guidance, we also strive to help students develop and maintain a sense of responsibility in their lives. Students are expected to schedule time to gather the information needed to help them in making decisions that will affect their education and careers. The Guidance Counselor will assist them in the process of researching and evaluating such information.

We welcome parent requests at any time to receive information, schedule a meeting with a counselor or request assignments for prolonged absences. Contact our friendly and informational Guidance Counselor Emily Clark.

College Counseling

Students are assisted in the college admissions process throughout their four years of high school. A weekend SAT preparatory course is provided at the school. Other area SAT preparatory courses are advertised and we can help students in registering for the courses.

The Guidance Counselor offers families individual sessions to discuss the college admission planning and selection process. These sessions are by appointment during or after school hours. The goal of this input is to secure the best college fit for the students.

Each year, about 30 college admissions representatives from regional universities visit BG to discuss specific curricular, admission requirements and other selection variables.

Students are alerted to these visits, and juniors and seniors are invited to schedule their attendance in small group or as an individual meeting.

Parents of juniors and seniors are invited to a College Fair at Altoona Area High School in October which accommodates more than 75 college and universities for an evening of face-to-face discussions.

Seniors are helped extensively with their college application process, including essays and letters of reference by the Guidance Office. Scholarships are tracked and advertised by the Guidance Office. SAT and ACT testing is coordinated for students who wish to participate.

Advice and role-playing sessions are also provided to help students prepare for college admission interviews and scholarship reviews. Students are invited to review college catalogues in the Guidance Office.

Academic Counseling

All students are assisted in curricular planning, scheduling and information. Questions pertaining to the academic programs and academic success are often are directed to the Guidance Office.

The Guidance Counselor facilitates meetings with teachers, students and parents to share academic concerns and to provide additional help to overcome academic challenges. Consultation regarding achievement and aptitude testing results of individual students is extended to students and parents.

Every year, the PSAT is given to sophomores and juniors. These test scores are shared individually with each test taker, and are available to parents for academic and college planning purposes.

BG offers the professional services of a reading specialist to assist students with minimal or moderate language learning or attention difficulties. Students are offered the tools and strategies for academic achievement. Faculty members are aware of these services and work collaboratively with the reading specialist.

Personal Counseling

The Guidance Counselor coordinates the BG Student Assistance Program (SAP). This team of teachers and mental health professionals screen and refer students for therapeutic services on site in the community. The purpose is to help students when emotional, behavioral or relational issues interfere with their ability to learn.