Guidance and Counseling Services

Each student has an assigned counselor and access to social workers and the college consultant. The department offers programs and assistance relative to testing, academic program planning, post high school choices and academic progress. Diagnostic and supportive services are available to students who have special needs. Information on testing, financial aid, careers, college and career visitations and special programs is available in the College and Career Resource Center.

Counselors assist students with course planning in freshman, sophomore and junior years. The Four-Year-Plan is the initial step for a freshman in the course planning process. The Four-Year-Plan is an academic course roadmap which a student, with assistance and direction from the counselor, develops to show which courses the student will take each year that he/she is at Deerfield. Parent input is very much encouraged in this process. 

Following presentations in Freshman Advisory by representatives of some of the academic departments as well as presentations by current teachers in the various subject areas, the counselor and student together, with help from the Freshman Advisory teacher and the Senior Advisors, construct their individual Four-Year-Plan. Parents must sign the “completed” Four-Year Plan indicating their approval of the plan proposed by their son/daughter.

In sophomore and junior year, course selection and registration begins with the counselor meeting with his/her counselees in a group to discuss course options for the following year. Actual course registration takes place several days later.

Counselor involvement during course planning and registration establishes a solid foundation for the post-high school planning process in the junior and senior years.