Counselors

Although some drop-in appointments are available, counselors are able to schedule longer sessions for students who plan ahead. Please see the phone numbers at the left of this page, drop your counselor an email, or come by the Counseling Center's front desk to schedule an appointment.

At several points throughout the year Catalina’s counselors check each student’s academic progress and confer with those who may be behind in the number of credits they need to graduate in four years. Students, especially those who have brought credit from another school or who have earned credits through online programs or summer school, are urged to make an appointment with their counselors at least once a year to make sure their records are up to date.
 

Credits required for graduation are listed below. For more detailed information, please see the Catalina Course Description Handbook. (in PDF)

 

Graduation Credit Requirements

 

Subject	# Credits	Required Classes
English	4
Math	4	Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and a 4th year of math
Science	3	Biology by end of sophomore year
Social Studies	3	World History/Geography (10th), American History (11th), American Government - (.5) AND Economics (.5) (12th)
World Language	0	Not required for graduation, but at least 2 years highly recommended for the college-bound
Fine Arts or CTE	1
Health	.5
Physical Education	1
Electives	6.5
Total Credits	23

* Please note that what is listed above are minimum graduation requirements for earning a high school diploma. Students who wish to enroll in a four-year college or university will have other requirements they must meet. Please see your counselor for more specific guidance if you plan to attend a college or university after graduation.

Every student at Catalina has begun an Education and Career Action Plan (ECAP), an online tool that helps the student list his accomplishments, skills, interests, and future plans. This is a great place to start in thinking of life after high school. Students and their parents may access these plans at www.azcis.intocareers.org. The username is the student's first initial and last name followed by the graduation year. The password is the student's matriculation number. Example login: mstudent2011. Example password: 0123456789.
Other helpful links:

http://www.onetcenter.org/tools.html Career Research Tool, Assessments
http://online.onetcenter.org Occupation Search
http://www.bls.gov/oco Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-2011 Edition

But nothing helps a student clarify their thoughts and plans like discussions with their family and with a counselor. Please make an appointment to come see us!

Students who have any interest in college or university – and that should be every student! – are urged to make an appointment with their counselor no later than the beginning of their junior year. They will explain and help register students for the college application exams – the PSAT, SAT, or ACT. As students’ high school graduation comes nearer, the counselors will work with the students on the FAFSA application, applications for particular colleges, and on grant and scholarship opportunities.

Counselors can offer students many options for credit recovery, including TUSD’s Weekend Academy, summer school, and online classes sponsored by TUSD or outside institutions. Some of these options are offered at no or very low cost to students. Please see your counselor for details.

IMPORTANT: Students who want to take a credit recovery class MUST get the approval of their counselor and a Catalina administrator. It’s important that the student takes the correct class for credit recovery. Also, TUSD Board Policy limits the number of credits a student may take outside of the district to 2 for the student’s high school career. Don’t be disappointed by accidentally completing a class that you don’t need or that Catalina cannot accept for credit – check with a counselor first!

Motivated students are sometimes able to accrue the credits necessary for graduation in less than four years. Accelerated graduation plans are handled on a case-by-case basis and must be personally approved by the student's counselor and Principal Kathryn Shaw. Please see Mr. Holley if you'd like to pursue early graduation.

Our counselors are available to help with any problem that might be harming a student’s educational progress. We are eager to help with social and personal problems and will be happy to listen and counsel and, if appropriate, meet with the student's friends, teachers, and family to work toward resolution.