“Today’s young people are living in an exciting time, with an increasingly diverse society, new technologies and expanding opportunities. To help ensure that they are prepared to become the next generation of parents, workers, leaders and citizens, every student needs support, guidance, and opportunities during childhood, a time of rapid growth and change. Children face unique and diverse challenge, both personally and developmentally, that have an impact on academic achievement.”
  —“Toward a Blueprint for Youth: Making Positive Youth Development a   National Priority,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The purpose of the school guidance program is to promote and enhance the learning process.  School counselors work closely with administrators, teachers, parents, and the community to support the Allen ISD mission and to accomplish goals that focus on academic achievement, prevention and intervention, social and emotional development and college/career information.

Comprehensive guidance and counseling is an integral part of each school’s educational program.  A developmental school guidance program includes activities which are organized and implemented by certified school counselors and are based on identified student needs.  Emphasis at the elementary level is on prevention of problems that may impact student achievement.  Classroom guidance is provided on topics such as study skills, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and drug education.  Prevention programs, such as We Help Ourselves (WHO), are taught to help children avoid and cope with victimization.  Elementary counselors also work with the transition of 6th grade students to middle school by assisting them and their parents in the development of their individual 6-year plans.

Secondary counselors assist students in educational planning for college and career through individual or group conferences.  The 6-year graduation plan that was begun during a student's 6th grade year is updated, and parents are requested to be a part of this process.  High school counselors monitor academic progress and work with students to achieve academic goals.  The guidance program at the high school includes the college admission process, college entrance exams, college planning nights, and other post secondary plans.