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Doug Dallas

High School Counselor

Counseling Services Are Available In The Following Areas:

Responsive Services

The counselors are available to meet the immediate needs of the students. To this end, we consult with parents, teachers, support staff, administrators and peers to offer student-centered services including personal counseling and crisis intervention, with possible referral to outside agencies.

Individual Planning

The counselors help students evaluate their abilities, interests, skills development and their levels of achievement. Personal strengths are used to determine Career Pathway choices, and courses should be taken in pursuit of a selected Career Path. Information regarding college or post-high school training and financial aid information is available.

Guidance Curriculum

The counselors deliver post-high school planning sessions. Support groups for such topics as relationships, grief and loss, stress management, study skills and peer support are offered as needed.

The Durand Area High School Counseling staff works hard at helping students develop and plan strategies for success. When students have a commitment to learning and are able to enhance their identity through practice of social competencies, they will be empowered to enter the world of work.

The Counseling Department wishes to extend our warmest welcome to our new students and we hope that you are comfortable with your schedule and on your way to completing a successful year of high school.

Testing

These are some of the tests most commonly taken by students at Durand High School. The DHS Counseling Office has more information and registration materials for each test below.

ACT
The American College Test is a multiple choice college entrance test. Nationally, it is taken by 36% of high school graduates, but by 68% in Michigan. It is usually taken in 11th or 12th grade. It's given five times a year, in December and June at Durand. The ACT has traditionally served as the qualifying exam for the Michigan Competitive Scholarships.
SAT
The Scholastic Assessment Test is taken by college-bound students and used in admissions decisions at most major colleges around the country. It is administered seven times a year, and starting in April of 2016, it will be administered for free to all 11th graders in Michigan as part of Michigan's state testing.
SAT II
The SAT II is a series of exams, mostly multiple choice, in specific subjects used for college admissions and to place advanced freshmen in appropriate courses. The test(s) are voluntarily taken in addition to the SAT usually by 11th and 12th graders. It is given 6 times per year.
AP
The Advanced Placement Tests are usually preceded by AP courses in a variety of subjects. Colleges and universities use the 3-hour exams, consisting of both essays and multiple choice questions, to place advanced students in more challenging classes and to award college credit. Tests are given mostly to 11th and 12th grade students in May.

DAHS Counselors Focus On:

Assisting students to develop personal awareness and explore career goals.
Counseling students regarding career planning and preparation.
Sharing scholarship and financial aid information for post-secondary education.
Helping develop communication and interpersonal skills needed to relate well to others.
Assisting students to learn, to work and to live in the 21st century.

Young people face greater risks than previous generations:

Young people face critical decisions about sexuality.
Young people face increasing violence in our society and in the schools.
Some young people face hopelessness that can lead to self-destructive behavior.

Students affected by these and other problems are not able to achieve at their full academic potential. The counselor's primary task is to help them become better learners by providing a comprehensive program that includes all of the areas listed above.