The short cut to higher self-esteem, for most children and adolescents, is academic success. This idea, among others, guides counseling at BCS and helps our students achieve more in school and make wiser decisions with regard to their approach toward scholastic achievement. Public school has been so severely impacted by funding cuts that each counselor has a caseload of over two hundred students. At BCS, we have three full time counselors, as well as several interns, helping to meet our students’ needs.
Many students make multiple years progress in the course of one academic year, and in turn make great strides in their self-image. One most striking example is the young lady who made 4-5 years progress in her reading skills in one year. Her self-esteem has blossomed. We never tire of these individual success stories at BCS.
We would like to take this moment to thank our counselors who are always there to support and inspire students to keep working and keep trying.
Below is a short list of counseling activities:
College Prep and Beyond – The transition from high school to college often begins with our high schoolers starting to take college course while attending BCS. Our counseling facilitates this process.
Boys Group – From friendship to male identity, the issues that affect boys are discussed in a non-threatening way.
Girls Group – A place where girls can discuss issues of importance to them.
Intern Training – upper school. A five-day a week University of California approved class. Please see the link to find out about our a-g classes and this one in particular: https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/
Art - A class that meets five days a week. A unique course in self exploration through art for young people who are interested in drawing, painting, etc, as a way to express themselves.
Individual Counseling – By appointment
Social Skills Class – lower school. Covers the basics of getting along with peers, making friends, coping with frustration, communicating with teachers, etc.
Problem Solving – Counselors are available for students who need a few moments to get redirected towards class. BCS counselors have extensive experience working with and motivating students who have ADD, ADHD and other learning differences.
Lunchtime Mentoring – Helps to facilitate and mentor friendships, good choices, and to having fun during unstructured time.
In addition, our counselors work closely with teachers and parents to advocate for students and facilitate communication with our school and families. They write progress reports, distribute medication, make daily phone calls home, and support teachers by explaining each child’s unique needs.
Prominent amongst the school’s distinctive characteristics is the environment of mutual respect, which is a cornerstone of the Balboa City School program. All members of our community are expected to treat each other with respect and dignity.
When students, teachers, staff and parents consistently demonstrate politeness and consideration for each other, it fosters an environment compatible with both civil society and a productive workplace. Recent research on what employers consider to be necessary work skills include the following: the ability to get along with others, dependability, timeliness and perseverance. As long as employees possess these basic skills, employers will be willing to teach the accompanying job-specific skills. It is a significant objective of the school to send our students into the world with these requisite interpersonal skills.