Counseling Services

List of 7 items.

• About the Center

  Dedicated professionals work with students in the areas of academic, social/emotional, and career development. The team includes college counselors, Upper School and Lower School counselors, and the coordinator of student life. Counselors use a collaborative approach involving students, parents, faculty, and sometimes professionals in the community to promote learning and development.
  
  

  The primary function of the Counseling Center is to foster the academic achievement and personal well-being of all students; therefore, the school counselor will meet with students as needed to help identify and implement problem-solving strategies. If a student's difficulties cannot be dealt with effectively in the school setting, the counselor will refer the student (via his parents) to professionals in the community. 
  
  Students and parents who have questions are encouraged to contact any member of the Counseling Center.

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• Academic Support

  Counselors monitor every student's grades at the end of each reporting period. In addition to Summer School classes and scheduled or impromptu meetings with teachers before school, after school, and during their office hours, MUS provides many avenues for improving academic performance – programs that not only help students who may be struggling with low grades, but also benefit students who wish to deepen their understanding of a topic.
  
  Lower and Upper School academic support options include the following:
  

   

  Hyde Library website

  Our library site offers many resources, including a link to “Practice Tests and Study Aids.”
  
  Academic Labs

  Learning labs are available for Lower and Upper School students.

  
  Lower School Math Lab
  Lower School English Lab
  Upper School Math
  Upper School English Lab (help with writing, vocabulary, grammar, and reading)
  
  Additional Resources

  Lower School Study Hall
  Upper School Supervised Study Session (called S-Cubed)
  Peer tutoring
  Educational workshops (published in Parenting Notes)
  Evening semester exam study sessions
  ACT/SAT/PSAT prep sessions
  Lower School ASAP (After School Academic Program)
  NCAA eligibility counseling

  Summer math packet labs (weekly session held by a different teacher each week)

• Alcohol, Drug, Dangerous Behavior

  Prevention is a primary goal of our substance-abuse programs. The focus is on presenting students with relevant, up-to-date, and compelling information that points them toward a reasonable, self-determined, personal policy of healthy decision-making.
  
  Our ultimate goal is to prevent alcohol and other drug use/abuse and to promote responsible decision-making on the part of our young men in an effort to maximize their safety and welfare during this time of their lives.
  
  Toward this end, the following activities are offered:

  
  Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD)

  This program is for eighth and 10th graders. Visit the FCD Website for more information.

   

  Alive at 25 Program

  This program teaches ninth graders safe driving techniques and responsible decision-making. 
  
  Confidential Concern Referrals

  Any parent, student, teacher, or administrator may share their concerns with our office if they have reason to suspect that ANY student is using alcohol or abusing themselves through drug use or other dangerous behavior. All information will remain confidential, protecting both the person referring and the subject of concern.

  
  Community of Concern

  This nonprofit consortium offers E-Learning, parent brochures, and a wealth of other educational and support materials. Visit the website here.

   

  Safe Home Program

  This program requires a parent commitment to host drug- and alcohol-free parties and to communicate with other parents. Visit the Safe Home Program Website for additional information and to sign the Safe Home Pledge.

   

  Heartbeat

  This is a non-use group of juniors and seniors who conduct sessions with seventh-grade students regarding use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.
  
  

  Substance Testing
  Some parents choose to have their sons drug tested. We provide a list of drug-testing centers for families who may be interested in this option.
  
  View our handbook policies for our official Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco Policy.

• Leadership Development

  The King and Judy Rogers Endowment for Leadership Development
  Judy and King Rogers, parents of King W. Rogers IV ’98, provided an endowment in 2000 to fund annual leadership development programs for MUS students. The income from the fund provides the resources for a renowned speaker on leadership and expanded leadership opportunities for students. The goal of the endowment is to prepare students for roles as servant leaders at MUS, in college, and in their communities.

  
  Our approach challenges students to discover and acquire the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to improve life for others. The program includes field trips, community service projects, speakers, and mentoring.

  
  Wilson Society
  The Wilson Society was established to give students an opportunity to demonstrate their full grasp of the seven tenets of the MUS Community Creed — Truth and Honor, Scholarship, Service, Respect, Humility, Involvement, and Accountability. Celebrating the legacy of longtime MUS supporter and friend, the late Kemmons Wilson, the Wilson Society includes all representatives of the Civic Service Organization. Additional members may be appointed at the discretion of the faculty advisor. 

• Learning Differences and Disabilities

  If a student has a psychoeducational evaluation on file showing that he has a diagnosed learning disability, a counselor will meet with the student and parents to determine how best to provide support. 
  
  

  Important links concerning learning disabilities:
  Policy for Requesting Extended Time on Final Exams
  Frequently Asked Questions About Learning Disabilities

• Lower School Aptitude and Achievement Testing

  Seventh Grade

  OLSAT (Otis Lennon Student Abilities Test) - September
  CTP 4 (Comprehensive Testing Program- Fourth Edition) - March or April

  
  Eighth Grade
  CTP 4 (Comprehensive Testing Program- Fourth Edition) - March or April

  
  Students do not need to study for these tests. We encourage them to come to school on time, well-rested, and well-nourished to ensure their success.

• Personal Counseling

  Personal counseling is the primary focus of the Counseling Department. This is where the rubber meets the road in the journey of the adolescent life. One-on-one verbal interaction in a friendly and encouraging environment allows the counselor to build a relationship, based on trust, that enables the counselor and student to explore potential roadblocks to success and possible actions that will help him avoid or overcome those obstacles. Our goal is to help students look within themselves and become aware of their unlimited capacity to achieve. 
  
  Adolescents face a variety of challenges throughout their teenage years. Students often enter the counseling office to discuss difficulties with their classes, relationship troubles, stressful home environments, depression, and anxiety. When addressing students’ concerns, the counselor offers empathy, unconditional support, and trust to provide a comfortable environment for the young men to discuss their problems. The counselor encourages the students to look within themselves and consider alternative perspectives. 
  
  Referral Process
  A student, parent, teacher, administrator, or counselor may initiate a request for academic or personal assistance on behalf of a student. The counselor is responsible for coordinating the community connections necessary to put the party in touch with the appropriate professional resource.