Students are welcome to stop in to see the counselor or schedule a time to visit when they are not in class. Advisors, teachers, and administrators can refer a student about whom they are concerned to the counseling office. Parents are also encouraged to contact the counseling office if they are concerned about their child and would like a counselor to check in with them.

While St. Andrew’s counselors proceed with appropriate action based on their professional judgment, they do not provide on-going therapy. If the counselor identifies a student to need on-going services, the counselor will contact the parents with appropriate referrals. In most cases, older students will be encouraged to inform their parents of their meetings and to give permission for the counselor to communicate directly with their parents. In the Lower School, parents are notified when their child is seen by the counselor, either individually or in on-going groups.

Not every child learns in the same way. St. Andrew's is committed to recognizing - not hiding - learning differences so that each child has an equal opportunity to succeed.

To support this effort, St. Andrew's Middle School has a very unique on-site resource in Perrin Shelton, our Certified Academic  Specialist. If a child is having a difficult time with test taking, time management, or the curriculum in general, Perrin is here to help identify the issue and devise a solution. Ms. Shelton also works along side the MS Counselor to educate the community on the importance of the social and emotional learning of our children.

Learning Specialist Functions

• Provides immediate academic support to students, parents, and teachers when learning difficulties become evident.

• Develops steps for observing, identifying, and reporting on students that exhibit learning problems.

• Administers informal assessments & provides referral lists if further testing is warranted or requested.

• Maintains records on students with learning needs & meets with teachers at the beginning of each year to discuss these records.

• Acts as a resource to provide or locate help for students with learning difficulties.

• Acts as the resource for academic support for students, such as tutors after school or other professionals when needed.

• Provides ongoing teacher education for identification and classroom support of students with learning differences.