School Counseling/Wellness

The school counseling department is committed to supporting the healthy development of all students at Cape Henry Collegiate. Counselors collaborate across all three divisions to ensure vertical articulation from prekindergarten 3 through grade 12, providing students with developmentally appropriate services and lessons at each stage. Guided by the CASEL competencies (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning), the program fosters growth in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. Working in partnership with administrators, parents, student life, coaches and teachers, the school counseling department strives to make each day a positive, meaningful and supportive experience for every student.

Lower School

Our lower school counseling program is designed to support the social and emotional growth of students during these critical formative years. From prekindergarten through grade 5, all students participate in social-emotional learning activities during regularly scheduled Wellness lessons.

As additional needs arise, students in grades 2–5 may also participate in small-group instruction designed to build specific skills. The lower school counselor maintains daily open office hours and is available to meet individually with students as needed.

The lower school counseling office addresses a wide range of topics, including (but not limited to):

Conflict Resolution and Problem Solving
Managing Emotions
Building and Maintaining Friendships
Adjusting to Change
Strengthening Confidence and Perseverance
Developing Learning Skills
Encouraging Respect and Empathy

Middle School

Middle School is an exciting time of rapid growth and transition from childhood to adolescence. Students are learning to build independence in managing academics and navigating social interactions, as well as learning how to establish a support system of teachers, staff, and peers to help them navigate the increasing complexity of their lives.

To support middle school students, all students participate in weekly Advisory lessons from the Responsive Classroom model, which “offers a solid framework for building meaningful connections and developing respectful and trusting relationships, while meeting students’ development needs to belong, feel significant, and have fun” (Responsive Advisory Meeting Book, p. 2). Students in 6th and 7th grade also participate in monthly lessons delivered by the school counselor, while 8th graders join in wellness lessons with the school counselor through “The Wheel.” Wellness lessons through The Wheel take place over six weeks, allowing for an increasing depth of learning surrounding skills that support academic achievement and mental well-being.

The middle school counseling and wellness program also offers support for students and families through small groups and individual meetings, which can be initiated by either the school counselor or the students themselves. Topics of support include, but are not limited to:

Social-Emotional Wellness
Academic Success
Learning Support and Accommodations
Mediation and Conflict Resolution
Behavior Support
New Student Transition, including Military and NATO
Student Life, Advisory and Clubs

Upper School

As students enter upper school, we remain attentive to the growth, challenges, and opportunities that lie ahead. Our role extends beyond preparing students for the “next step.” Instead, the focus is on meeting students where they are, guiding them through their upper school journey, and helping them learn and find purpose along the way.

A central component is seminar programming, which encourages students to explore and understand themselves as individuals—their strengths, values, and aspirations. This work complements the program’s broader mission to support academic achievement, mental health and wellness. Research consistently shows that students who feel healthy, confident and supported perform more effectively in the classroom, on the athletic field and in the arts.

The Upper School Counseling Office provides resources and support in areas including, but not limited to: