Counseling Services
The MDUSD Counseling Services supports teaching and learning by assuring that all students achieve academic success and develop life skills through the acquisition of academic, career, and personal/social competencies, which will prepare them for meaningful participation in a diverse, changing world.
Credentialed school counselors provide comprehensive school counseling programs that incorporate prevention and intervention activities through school-wide assemblies and activities, classroom guidance lessons, individual and group counseling, and collaboration with outside community resources. School counselors also assist students in ensuring they meet high school graduation requirements. The Crisis Response Team provides support to students, families and staff in the event of a crisis, emergency or traumatic situation. School counselors are also responsible for providing crisis-intervention services.
School counselors will:
- design and implement a comprehensive school counseling program based on the National Standards for School Counseling Programs and the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) National Model;
- provide all student equitable access to developmentally appropriate and comprehensive counseling services focused on academic success, personal and social development and career and college guidance;
- plan, monitors, and manages students' educational development, such as short and long-range educational goals, academic progress, four-year plans, graduation requirements, academic honors, college entrance requirements, post-secondary opportunities, career development, financial aid, and personal/social development;
- provide resources to staff to ensure that each school counseling center is a family-friendly environment; and
- ensure that students have access to a safe school climate necessary for academic and social/emotional growth.
All schools provide counseling and intervention services for students and families. All school counselors hold Bachelor's Degrees, with several school counselors holding Master's Degrees in the areas of Education, Counseling and Guidance, Social Work or Marriage and Family Therapy. All school counselors hold a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential from the state of California.
Contact your student's school for assistance. Middle and high school students should contact the school counselor for class scheduling and college or career information. Supplementary counseling services are provided through the Student Services Department for students suspended for violence or substance abuse.
Our counselors have prepared a list of distance learning counseling resources:
MDUSD Counselor's Website 2023/24 School Counseling Program Mid-Year Report 1-Pager by School
Open Conversations About Mental Health Video Series
COLLEGE/CAREER ADVISOR
College advisors are located at high schools in MDUSD. They coordinate overall operations of career center programs, advise students and parents on career/college and other post-secondary options, and provide career planning resources and services.
COLLEGE AND CAREER INFORMATION
Graduation is a stepping stone to the future. Be ready to move to the next step after you graduate from MDUSD college-prepared and career-ready.
College
- University of California, A-G Guide
- collegeboard.org
- PSAT and SAT Information
- Find a college that's right for you:
- Educational Portal
- Your guide to undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, career education and online degree programs
- nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator
- californiacolleges.edu
- princetonreview.com
- College Board - Big Future
- University of California
- California State University
- Information on Transferring from a Community College to UC or CSU
- University HQ-A guide to College degrees and majors
- NACAC Test Optional
- Educational Portal
- Scholarship Information
- Funding Opportunities
COLLEGE READINESS ASSESSMENT
The A-G / College Entrance Requirements are a sequence of high school courses that students must complete (with a grade of C or better) to be minimally eligible for admission to the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU). They represent the basic level of academic preparation that high school students should achieve to undertake university work.
College Board/SAT Suite of Assessments
The tests measure the same skills and knowledge in ways that make sense for different grade levels, so it’s easier for students, parents, and educators to monitor student progress.
-
Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test 8/9 (PSAT 8/9)
The PSAT 8/9 is a test that will help you and your teachers figure out what you need to work on most so that you’re ready for college when you graduate from high school. It tests the same skills and knowledge as the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, and PSAT 10 — in a way that makes sense for your grade level. -
Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)
The PSAT/NMSQT is a great way to preview and practice for the SAT. It tests the same skills and knowledge as the SAT - in a way that makes sense for your grade level. -
Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT)
The SAT is accepted by almost all U.S. colleges. It is typically taken by juniors in the spring and seniors in the fall. The SAT and SAT Subject Tests are designed to assess your academic readiness for college. These exams provide a path to opportunities, financial support, and scholarships, in a way that's fair to all students. The SAT and SAT Subject Tests keep pace with what colleges are looking for today, measuring the skills required for success in the 21st century.
ACT Assessment (ACT)
The ACT® is a curriculum- and standards-based educational and career planning tool that assesses students’ academic readiness for college. The ACT is the capstone of our College and Career Readiness System.
Advanced Placement (AP)
AP gives you the academic skills you need in college and can also give you more time to concentrate on the subjects that interest you. There are a million paths to your future. By giving you the opportunity to explore what interests you the most, AP courses help you find and pursue your unique direction.
California State University (CSU) Assessments
The California State University (CSU) requires you to take the English Placement Test (EPT) and the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) exam prior to enrollment in the CSU unless you are exempt by means of scores earned on other appropriate tests such as the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Early Assessment Program (EAP) tests in English and Mathematics, the SAT®, ACT®, or Advanced Placement® (AP®) tests.
The EPT and the ELM are not admission tests; instead, they determine eligibility to enroll in specific courses. If you are required to take the EPT and the ELM but fail to do so, you will not be allowed to register for General Education courses at the CSU. You may take the EPT, ELM or both at a campus near you or where you plan to enroll.
For further information, please contact the counselor and/or college advisor at your child's school.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." -Nelson Mandela