The mission of the comprehensive counseling and guidance program at Vestavia Hills High School is to ensure that each individual student is provided opportunities to develop personally and socially through understanding himself and others; to develop his/her academic potential with information and help as needed; and to explore career opportunities that are consistent with his/her particular interests and aptitudes. Through a planned, sequential program of individual assessment, provision of information, and individual and group counseling, each student is encouraged to maximize his/her potential academically, emotionally, and socially and to develop post secondary plans for career development. The counseling and guidance program is an essential integrated component of the total school curriculum delivered and enhanced by the administration, faculty, counselors and support personnel. By staying with the same students through their four year high school career, counselors get to know each student personally and to help each student realize that he/she is "special" by attempting to keep individual counseling as the "heart" of the program.

                            Our High School Code is 012-768

                                          MISSION STATEMENT

VHHS COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE / COLLEGE PLANNING DEPARTMENT

This service seeks to help students in every way possible.  It covers particularly those areas of the student's life in school which are not cared for in regular classes or activities.  It is concerned with their present work and their future plans.  More specifically, this service assists with the following:

1.  Adjusting to their new school and surroundings.

2.  Making a choice of courses and electives which will prepare them for their career/college choice.

3.  Securing information about various careers.

4.  Making a selection of a field of career interest.

5.  Developing desirable personal characteristics which will make students better citizens.

6.  Developing satisfactory social behavior.

7.  Making progress in their various school subjects and activities.

8.  Obtaining employment after graduation.

9.  Making a choice concerning further education.

10. Helping graduates with readjustments whenever called upon to do so.

Daria D. Howard            9th Grade Counselor               402-5258     howarddd@vestavia.k12.al.us

Lori Akin                       10th Grade Counselor               402-5259     akinld@vestavia.k12.al.us

Terri N. Sowell              11th Grade Counselor               402-5256    sowelltn@vestavia.k12.al.us

Christine F. Rohling       12th Grade Counselor               402-5257    rohlingcf@vestavia.k12.al.us

Karin L. Bell                   College Counselor                     402-5226    bellkl@vestavia.k12.al.us  
(Visit Mrs. Bell’s Website)

Nita B. Robinson           College Secretary                       402-5260    robinsonnb@vestavia.k12.al.us

Dawn S. Skewes            Guidance Secretary                    402-5261    skewesds@vestavia.k12.al.us

Counselors remain with the same students for four years.  Students are interviewed by the counselor throughout the school year.  Individual counseling is available to all students, and they are urged to consult the counselor about personal/social, academic, or career exploration concerns.

The Counseling and Guidance/College Planning Department contains a library of school catalogs, college entrance information, scholarship information, and career exploration information.  Individual and group conferences are held with students concerning post high school planning.  Parents of students are also invited to contact the counselor for conferences concerning the academic, personal/social, post high school plans for their sons or daughters.

Students wishing an appointment are urged to come by the Guidance Department and complete an appointment card.  State your name, homeroom, and when you have a study/lunch or other free period.  Leave the card in the box on your counselor's door, and you will be notified of your appointment.  Please be prompt for your scheduled appointment.  Parents wishing an appointment should call or e-mail the appropriate counselor or FAX to (205) 402-5232. 

Alabama State Department of Education Offers New Diploma Option

Always striving to improve education, the Alabama Department of Education (SDE) is offering a program designed to provide another option to students who are unable to pass the Alabama High Schol Graduation Exam.  In 2000, the State Board of Education adopted the Alternate Adult High School Diploma (AAHSD), an alternate route that offers students an opportunity to graduate with their peers and to help further their respective educational and career opportunities.  The diploma is issued for a small percentage of students who pass the required course credits and take and pass the Test of General Educational Development (GED Test).  The diploma may not be accepted by all colleges, trade schools, businesses, or all branches of the military.  For more information, please contact the guidance office.