Academic Advising
Academic Advising and Course Selection
From January 29 to March 14, students, teachers, parents, and counselors will work together to choose courses that align with each student's personal interests, career goals, and post-secondary aspirations as well as reflect the high expectations we have for all Titans.
Selecting an academic program must be given considerable thought. The Programs of Studies is a comprehensive planning tool that provides a wealth of information about course offerings and graduation requirements that students and families can use to make informed decisions as they plan for success in high school and beyond.
ACPS is committed to ensuring that all Titans graduate with workplace skills, a sense of civic responsibility, and post-secondary plans that align with their interests and goals. The academic advising process is a time for self-reflection as students imagine their futures. Academic advising is a student-centered, collaborative process. Counselors, teachers, administrators, and families work together to support students as they make important decisions. We encourage students and families to ask questions.
As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:
- Graduation requirements;
- Career interests and post-secondary goals;
- Personal well-being;
- Balancing exploration with commitment and consistency; and
- Extra-curricular and other commitments that demand students' time and energy.
Academic Advising and Course Selection Process for 2025-2026
All Families
DATE |
TIME |
EVENT
|
AUDIENCE |
LOCATIONS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Weds. |
|
Email communication sent via Parent Square outlining the Academic Advising timeline of events |
Families |
Parent Square and ACPS Communication |
Weds. Dec. 11 |
5:30-8 p.m. |
The First Annual ACPS Pathways Expo An opportunity for current 8th and 9th-grade students/families who need to become more familiar with pathway options. (Alternate date: Dec 17) |
Rising 10th Graders |
ACHS—King Street and ACHS—Minnie Howard |
Mon. Dec. 16 |
Period 5 |
Advisory Lessons: Naviance Self-Discovery Assessments Naviance and Advisory Lessons for Grades 9-11. Students will complete the Strengths Explorer assessment in Naviance. Lessons will be placed on Titan Student Resources and Counselors’ Canvas pages, and Counselors will email students. |
Rising 10th-12th Students |
Classrooms (ACHS—King Street and ACHS—Minnie Howard) |
Mon. Dec. 16 |
Period 5 |
Advisory Lessons: Academic Advising Process Students will understand course offerings and pathways related to their interests. A Google form will be completed to document the courses and pathways of interest. Lessons will be placed on Titan Student Resources, and counselors’ Canvas pages, and counselors will email students. |
Rising 10th-12th Students |
Classrooms (ACHS—King Street and ACHS—Minnie Howard) |
Mon. |
7 - 8 p.m. |
PTSA Meeting ACHS school counselors discuss the upcoming 2025-2026 academic advising and course selection season for all rising Titans and the Countdown to Graduation assembly for the Class of 2026. |
PTSA |
ACHS—King Street Library |
Mon. Jan. 6 |
Period 5 |
Academy and Pathway Overview Students will receive information about the Academic Academies and Pathways regarding course offerings related to their interests. Lessons will be placed on Titan Student Resources, and Counselors Canvas pages, and Counselors will email students. |
Rising 10th-12th Students |
Classrooms (ACHS—King Street and ACHS—Minnie Howard) |
Mon. Jan. 6 |
Period 5 |
HS Elective Explorations Fair (Virtual) Students will have access to view descriptions of elective options online. |
Rising 10th-12th Students |
Classrooms (ACHS—King Street and ACHS—Minnie Howard) |
Jan. 6 and Jan. 7 |
ALL DAY |
School Counseling Meeting/Curriculum Chats Department Chairs/APs meet with school counselors to provide an overview of courses in their department and emphasize proper placement for students. Q & A regarding any scheduling discrepancies from the previous year. |
Assistant Principals, APs, and Counselors |
ACHS—King Street Rotunda |
Weds. Jan. 8 |
|
Qualtrics Survey: Academic Academies Survey Students will access the survey through a link/QR code and answer five questions that pertain to their Academic Academy Primary Choice. To acknowledge that their parent/guardian is aware there is a |
Rising 9th- 12th Students |
|
Weds. |
|
Application Only Programs: Online application is "live" for families to complete for GWHS and AOF |
Rising 10th-12th Students |
|
Tues. (alt. Jan 21) |
5:30–7:30 p.m. |
Academic Orientation & Curriculum Night (Contact: Briana Hardaway/Varita Mateos-Bendinelli) Students and families visit a Curriculum Fair and attend breakout sessions discussing graduation requirements, course offerings, and sequencing. Current 8th-grade students and parents attend specialized breakout sessions to learn about the Academy Pathway offerings, such as the Academy of Finance (AOF), the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy at ACHS, AVID College Readiness, and post-secondary preparation provided by the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria. REMINDER: Qualtrics Survey: Academic Academies Survey Closes: Jan. 31, 2025 REMINDER: Application Only Programs: Online application is "live" for families to complete for GWHS/AOF |
Rising 9th-12th Grade Students & Families |
ACHS—King Street |
Wed. |
|
Application only programs: Online application is "live" for families to complete for GWHS and AOF |
Rising 10th-12th Graders |
|
|
Class Periods |
Academic Days of Emphasis Teachers meet individually with students during class to discuss content options and course sequencing. Teachers make suggestions on course selections in PowerSchool. Teachers talk with 12th graders about college courses and careers in their subject areas. |
Teachers |
ACHS (all campuses) |
Jan. 20-27 |
|
Teacher Recommendation |
Teachers |
ACHS (all campuses) |
Jan. 29- Feb. 3 |
|
Families Enter Course Request Selections in PowerSchool Parent/Student Courses Entered in PS Jan 29 to Feb. 3 |
Rising 9th-12th Students & Families |
|
TBD |
|
Class of 2025: Countdown to Graduation Assembly (Contact: Jessica Gilbert & Will Esswein) Seniors are briefed on important upcoming events including Senior Experience, Prom, and the Annual Graduation March! |
Current Seniors |
Auditorium |
Feb. 10 to Mar 21 |
School Day |
Academic advising & Course Selection Conferences Counselors meet individually with students to review grad requirements and post-secondary aspirations and finalize course selections. (March 18-21: counselors meet with students who missed AA and finalize entry of course requests) Rising 10-12th Grade Students Through History & English Classes |
Rising 10th-12th Students |
Counseling Offices & Learning Academies |
Feb. 15 & 16 |
Early Release |
Second Semester Parent Conferences Teachers discuss current progress. Counselors are also available for 10-minute appointments to meet with families. |
Rising 10th-12th Students |
Various Locations (ACHS—King Street and ACHS—Minnie Howard) |
Events Just for Rising 9th Graders
DATE |
TIME |
EVENT |
AUDIENCE |
LOCATIONS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oct. 31- Nov. 21 |
Advisory |
Advisory Lessons: Naviance Self-Discovery Assessments Naviance and Advisory Lessons for Grade 8. Students will complete the Strengths Explorer assessment in Naviance. Students will understand course offerings and pathways related to their interests. A survey will be completed to document the courses and pathways of interest. Lessons will be placed on Titan Student Resources, counselors’ Canvas pages, and counselors will email students. |
Rising 9th Graders |
All Middle and K-8 Schools |
Thurs. Dec. 5 |
5:30-7 p.m. |
Middle School Curriculum Night Rising 6th grade and current 6th and 7th-grade families are invited to attend this event as we share our course offerings and engaging electives for the 2025-26 school year. |
Francis C. Hammond Middle School |
Francis C. Hammond Middle School Large Cafeteria |
Weds. |
5:30-8 p.m. |
The First Annual ACPS Pathways Expo An opportunity for current 8th and 9th-grade students/families who need to become more familiar with pathway options. (Alternate date: Dec 17) |
Rising 9th Graders |
ACHS—King Street and ACHS—Minnie Howard |
Jan. 8-Jan. 31 |
|
Qualtrics Survey: Academic Academies Survey Students will access the survey through a link/QR code and answer five questions that pertain to their Academic Academy Primary Choice. To acknowledge that their parent/guardian is aware there is a disclaimer within the survey, students should communicate with parent/guardian(s) about course selections. |
Rising 9th |
|
Weds. Jan. 8 |
|
Application Only Programs: Online application is "live" for families to complete for GWHS and AOF |
Rising 9th |
|
Weds. Jan. 8 |
9-10:30 a.m. 1-2:15 p.m. |
Titan Rising: High School Here We Come! Middle and high school counselors and staff meet with students to share information about transitioning to high school, course offerings, high school programs, school-life balance, timelines for applications, and what to expect as rising Titans |
Jefferson-Houston & Patrick Henry Rising 9th Graders |
Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School and Patrick Henry K-8 School Auditorium |
Thurs. Jan. 9 |
9-11:00 a.m. |
Titan Rising: High School Here We Come! Middle and high school counselors and staff meet with students to share information about transitioning to high school, course offerings, high school programs, school-life balance, timelines for applications, and what to expect as rising Titans |
Francis C. Hammond Middle School Rising 9th Graders |
Francis C. Hammond Middle School Cafeteria |
Fri. Jan. 10 |
9-11:00 a.m. |
Titan Rising: High School Here We Come! Middle and high school counselors and staff meet with students to share information about transitioning to high school, course offerings, high school programs, school-life balance, timelines for applications and what to expect as rising Titans |
George Washington Middle School Rising 9th Graders |
George Washington Middle School Auditorium |
Jan. 20-27 |
|
Teacher Recommendation |
Teachers |
All Middle and K8 Schools |
Jan. 22 |
5:30-7 p.m. |
Middle School Curriculum Night Rising 6th-grade and current 6th and 7th-grade families are invited to attend this event as we share our course offerings and engaging electives for the 2025-26 school year. |
George Washington Middle School Rising 6th-7th Graders |
George Washington Middle School |
Jan. 29- Feb. 3 |
|
Families Enter Course Request Selections in PowerSchool Parent/Student Courses entered in PowerSchool Jan 29 to Feb. 3 |
Rising 6th-12th Students & Families |
|
Feb. 10-Mar 21 |
School Day |
Academic Career Plans & Academic Advising: Rising 9th Graders Middle school counselors meet with students to complete academic career plans. Counselors meet individually with students to review goals, finalize course selections and enter course selections in PowerSchool. For specific information, contact your child’s middle school counselor. |
All Rising 6th - 12th Students |
All Middle and K8 Schools |
Mar 25 - Mar 27 |
Review of Courses with High School Counselors March 25-27: high school counselors meet with 8th-grade students to review selected courses |