Guidance 9-12

Contact Us

Melissa A. Shepard Coordinator of Guidance 9-12 & BHS Registrar

Email Melissa A. Shepard 508-580-7477
Laurell Anderson Administrative Assistant, BHS Guidance

Email Laurell Anderson 508-580-7477
Shelia W. Spears Records Administrative Assistant

Email Shelia W. Spears 508-580-7636

Green Guidance Office: 508-580-7415
Red Guidance Office: 508-580-7425
Azure Guidance Office: 508-580-7435
Yellow Guidance Office: 508-894-4405

The Guidance Department at Brockton High School offers a variety of resources and programs to ensure the success of each student during their high school career and beyond.

Guidance Curriculum

Classroom Guidance lessons and Guidance sponsored events are aligned with the National School Counseling Standards (ASCA), Massachusetts School Counseling Model (CDE Benchmarks), and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks Common Core Standards.

FRESHMEN

September/October: Freshmen Seminar
January: Early College Planning and Calculating G.P.A
March: Academic Scheduling Lesson
Ongoing: Access to MEFA Pathways to explore and document self-discovery activities in college and career exploration.

SOPHOMORES

December: Sophomore Seminar: Strategies for Success
March: Academic Scheduling Lesson
Ongoing: Access to MEFA Pathways to explore and document self-discovery activities in college and career exploration.

JUNIORS

October: Preparing for the SAT
February: College and Career Fair
March: Academic Scheduling Lesson
April: Junior Seminar: College/ Career Planning
May: NEACAC College Fair at BSU
Ongoing: Access to MEFA Pathways to explore and document self-discovery activities in college and career exploration.

SENIORS

September: Senior College/Career Seminar
October: Mini College Fair Series
January/February: College On-Site Decision Days and college visits
February: BHS Scholarship Program Seminar and Writing a Resume
Ongoing: Access to MEFA Pathways to explore and document self-discovery activities in college and career exploration.

College and Career Readiness Checklist

Grade 9

Take challenging classes in all academic and elective areas.
Do your best in school. Grades count, if a course is difficult, get help from a teacher or ask for a tutor.
Get to know your guidance counselor, and college resources available in school.
Take a career interest inventory.
Identify personal, academic, and career goals

Grade 10

Take challenging classes in all academic and elective areas.
Talk to adults in a variety of professions to determine what they like and dislike about their jobs, and what kind of education is needed for each kind of job.
Become involved in extracurricular activities (before or after school), field trips, and other activities that interest you or enable you to explore career interests.
Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss colleges and their requirements.
Take advantage of opportunities to visit colleges and talk to students.
Work on your resume.
Revisit your personal, academic, and career goals.

Grade 11

Take challenging classes in all academic and elective areas
Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss colleges and their requirements.
Continue involvement in school or community-based extracurricular activities.
Decide which colleges most interest you.
Contact these schools to request information and admission applications.
Ask about special admission requirements, financial aid and deadlines.
Talk to college representatives at college fairs and take advantage of opportunities to visit colleges and talk to students.
If possible, visit colleges
Consider asking for recommendations from teachers, counselors, employers, etc.
Register for and take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I), American College Test (ACT), SAT II Subject Tests, and any other exams required for admission.
Update your resume and apply for a job, job shadow opportunity, or internship
Revisit your personal, academic, and career goals.

Grade 12

Take challenging classes in all academic and elective areas.
Meet with your counselor to discuss plans.
Fill out the FAFSA for Federal Aid. Confirm if you need to complete the CSS Profile.
Contact colleges to request information and applications for admission. Be sure to ask about financial aid, admissions requirements, and deadlines.
If possible, visit colleges.
Take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I), (ACT), SAT II Subject Tests, or any other exams required for admission to the colleges to which you are applying.
Prepare your application carefully. Follow the instructions and submission deadlines. Be sure to ask your counselor and teachers at least two weeks before your application deadlines to submit the necessary documents to colleges (your transcript, letter of recommendation, etc.)
Generate a College and Career Planning Checklist

MEFA Pathway

MEFA Pathways was developed by the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA), in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE).

MEFA Pathways is a secure portal that allows you to research college and career information and create post-high school goals based on your interests, values, and skills. Information can be shared with your guidance counselor and parents/guardians, so they can help you research and track your academic and career goals.

Click here to access a MEFA webinar led by Coordinator of Guidance Melissa Shepard.

Students Can:

Track your high school classes
Build a resume by keeping a running list of your sports, activities, and awards
Store information about your employment and volunteer history
Take interest, values, and skills quizzes to help you determine your ideal path
Discover careers that match your personality and interests
Create a list of colleges that interest you and will help you reach your career goals
Learn about college costs and how to make smart paying for college choices
Search for scholarships based on your goals and interests
Upload documents to share with counselors or access from anywhere
Link to free test prep information and resources

Parents Can:

Track your child’s progress in making post-high school plans
Research careers or colleges.
Research paying for college options and link to free resources

Please note: parents are not able to create their own account, but are advised to explore their child’s account.

How to log into the MEFA Pathways account

Students can access MEFA Pathways through Clever.

Guidance Resource Links

Guidance Resource Documents