Students and counselors are looking forward to what some say is their favorite time of the academic season: meeting together to plan each student’s next steps. This year, JA is offering new electives, additional dual enrollment options, and life skills courses.
Upper School counselors meet in the spring with all rising ninth through twelfth graders to select classes and make sure students are on track for graduation and college admission. A GPA review also occurs during this time.
Director of Counseling Paula Pratt says for the students to hear a counselor or teacher recognize and acknowledge a student’s gift or skill is a source of encouragement and direction. “I am excited when students meet with us to plan, dream, and think about their futures,” she said. “We believe in them, and that positive affirmation can help them envision the next step.”
Adding to the excitement this year are new offerings, including choices that provide college credit. JA already offers dual enrollment in English and math and is in talks with Belhaven University to add dual enrollment U.S. History with Dennis Conklin, Advanced Chemistry with Cori Ciacco, and Art Appreciation with Susan Ingram.
While JA will continue to offer electives such as ACT/SAT prep, new selections are on the horizon. Kinesiology taught by Melissa Denson, Coding led by Eddie Wettach and Tech team, Bible taught by Coach Jesse Taylor, and Honors Band instructed by Todd Taylor are new electives. Coach Colleen Roberts will lead the new Introduction to Tennis, a class that does not require any previous tennis experience and does not include serving on the tennis team. WT Taylor will instruct the new Outdoor Recreational Leadership class, where students gain experience leading hiking, kayaking, ropes courses, and other non-classroom adventures. Back to Basics and The Curated Life, two life skills courses, will give students two-week rotations through several exciting subjects. For instance, during the two-week financial management rotation, students may learn about life insurance and retirement plans. Other topics include career and college prep, home economics and management, nutrition and exercise, and maintaining one’s fundamental property, including auto, plumbing, electrical, wood, and metal.
According to Pratt, both students and counselors look forward to sitting down together for course selection. “They love it. They get excited thinking about next year,” she said.
