School Counseling

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HEAR and SEE Something, SAY Something

The 'Say Something Anonymous' Reporting System allows you to submit secure & anonymous safety concerns to help identify and intervene upon at-risk individuals BEFORE they hurt themselves or others.

Anonymous Reporting System

School Counseling at ARS


The mission of the American Renaissance School-School Counseling department is to provide a comprehensive and developmental counseling program addressing the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students.  We do this in developmentally appropriate ways that enable personal growth and academic success. Our efforts in these areas for our students are a part of a collaborative model that includes our parents, teachers, community, and administrators in the process.

The K-8 school years are an exciting, yet challenging time for students, parents, and teachers. The School Counselor performs many functions to assist students and their families as they navigate this important time for learning and experience. School counselors work directly with students in various capacities to foster positive growth and change, while also offering support to parents, teachers, and other school staff in understanding the developmental needs of middle school students. Collaboration across support networks is a vital component of the school counseling program that contributes to student growth and success.

How school counselors address student needs:

Individual Counseling 

The School Counselor will work with students on a one-to-one basis in order to help them effectively manage a variety of personal, academic, and social issues. While each young adolescent student faces his/her own unique challenges, some common issues for middle schoolers involve: confidence/self-esteem, academic pressures, coping with grief, dealing with families in transition, organization, stress/anxiety management, fitting in, communication skills, transitioning to middle school, peer relationships, and crisis management, among others.

Group Counseling 

Interns/ School Counselor/ Local Counselors facilitates small group counseling throughout the year. Groups are organized according to student-identified needs and are available to all interested students. Groups typically meet weekly or bi-weekly, and may be ongoing throughout the year or time-structured with a start/end date. Common group topics include; school motivation, self-regulation, study skills, grief & loss, divorce/separation, stress/anxiety management, social skills, and self-esteem, among others.

Classroom Guidance

Periodically throughout the year, school counselors will facilitate lessons in the classroom aimed to address life skills and goals that influence personal and academic success. Bullying prevention, social media responsibility/etiquette, character education & prosocial behavior, preparation for high school (8th grade), career exploration, and personal wellness are just a few examples of topics covered by counselors during classroom guidance lessons.

McKinney-Vento Resources

The McKinney-Vento Act provides rights and services to children and youth experiencing homelessness, which includes those who are: sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; staying in motels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to the lack of an adequate alternative; staying in shelters or transitional housing; or sleeping in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or similar settings.

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Transportation

American Renaissance School has partnered with iCATS  for transportation services. Parents can sign their student(s) up to ride the bus at the beginning of each academic school year.  This service is free and provided by the school. There are cluster stops around Iredell county for your convenience.

Transportation Survey

Section 504

Section 504 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a civil rights law that prohibits the discrimination based on disability. The law applies to public elementary and secondary schools and other federally funded institutions. Under Section 504, denying a disabled student a free appropriate public education constitutes disability discrimination.

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We greatly value the feedback of our parents and community! If you have anything to share, please get in touch.

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