Our Mission, Vision, & Focus
The mission of the YMLA Counseling Department is to provide a proactive, comprehensive, and developmentally appropriate program to address students' academic and career goals in addition to supporting their personal and social needs. This is accomplished through a partnership with parents/guardians, staff, and community members to enable all students to become successful, productive citizens and lifelong learners in a diverse and changing world.
Our vision is to empower all students to reach their maximum potential by using a comprehensive program that addresses academic, personal/social, and career goals. We will promote an environment to encourage personal inquiry and growth, social responsibility, and academic excellence. School counselors believe that every student can succeed through the collaborative efforts of school, home, and community leading to responsible and productive citizenship in the 21st century.
Our focus is to create a college-bound culture at YMLA. We believe that every student has the opportunity to be accepted into the college or university of their choice. However, the post-secondary path that a scholar pursues may take them on divergent roads. These paths could include joining the military, attending a junior college prior to university, or entering the work force. As a team, the parent, student, and counselors can make those transitions and decisions smoother.
"It's the little conversations that build the relationships and make an impact on each student." -Robert John Meehan
Academics
Academics
Through academic advisement, we work in groups and individually to help guide a scholar through their Program of Choice. At the high school level, we are guiding students to graduate with distinguished level of achievement.
We encourage acceleration of academics to allow the student to take advantage of courses that will provide college credits that could transfer to their college/university.
College & Career
College & Career
At YMLA, we are proud to offer our scholars the opportunity to accelerate their academic progress by attending AP, Dual Credit, and UT On Ramps courses. We also offer SAT prep courses. Mrs. Miles coordinates preparation and testing for High School scholars and even some at the Middle School.
Mr. Lowe is an integral player in our College & Career focus. We believe that every scholar will apply for and be accepted to their college/university of choice. We also firmly believe in helping to find scholarship and grant opportunities to eliminate financial barriers that may present themselves.
Social/Emotional
Social/Emotional
We are dedicated to helping our scholars develop the skills to become the young men that will go make changes in the world. Although much of this will be accomplished through their chosen career paths, it is essential that we develop the "soft skills" that will provide them the ability to interact and become positive wave of change.