AHS/DNG Counselor's Corner
August 2025
School Counselor vs. Therapist: What’s the Difference?
We’re often asked how a school counselor differs from a therapist—and it’s an important distinction to understand when supporting your teen.
As a school counselor, we focus on short-term, school-based support. This includes:
✔️ Friendship issues
✔️ Emotional regulation
✔️ Coping with academic stress
✔️ Conflict resolution
✔️ Making healthy choices
Support is typically provided through quick check-ins, small groups, or classroom lessons.
A therapist offers ongoing, specialized mental health care. This might include:
✔️ Anxiety or depression
✔️ Trauma or grief
✔️ Family changes
✔️ Behavioral concerns
✔️ Diagnosed mental health conditions
Therapists usually meet with students weekly and involve families in long-term treatment plans.
When to reach out?
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If it’s school-related, we are here to help during the day.
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If it’s more complex or affecting life beyond school, a therapist may be the right next step.
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And sometimes, both supports work best together.
Not sure where to start? Please reach out—We are happy to help guide you.
Together, we can make sure your child feels supported and ready to thrive.
🎉 Mindset Monday at Aledo High School 🎉
Let’s start each week with positivity and purpose!
Every Monday, we’re setting the tone for the week ahead with Mindset Monday—a chance to focus on positive thinking, goal setting, and showing up with the right attitude.
🙌 What to Do:
Wear a T-shirt with a positive message—something uplifting, encouraging, or inspiring. Whether it’s about kindness, hard work, growth mindset, or mental wellness, your shirt can help someone start their week off right.
💡 Why It Matters:
A positive mindset sets you up for success—in school, in sports, in relationships, and in life. Mondays are the perfect time to reset, refocus, and choose positivity.
👕 Need Ideas?
Look for shirts that say things like:
“Be the reason someone smiles today”
“Progress, not perfection”
“Your mindset determines your success”
“Kindness is cool”
“You’ve got this”
Let’s build a school culture where encouragement is the norm and positive vibes are everywhere.
We can’t wait to see your shirts and your Monday mindset!
#MindsetMonday #AllInAledo #GrowingGreatness
College & Career Readiness Focus
Starting this school year, every first Wednesday of the month is College & Career Readiness Day!
Students and staff are invited to wear shirts representing their favorite college, career, or military path.
Let’s celebrate goals, inspire dreams, and build a future-ready culture—together!
#AlllInAledo #GrowingGreatness
Hang Up & Hang Out!
Our counseling program is on a mission to help students hang up their phones and hang out with each other during lunch—and we need your help!
We’re looking to build a collection of gently used card games (think UNO, Skip-Bo, Phase 10, regular playing cards, etc.) to create a welcoming space where students can relax, connect, and enjoy each other’s company without screens.
If you have any card games sitting at home collecting dust, we’d love to give them new life at school!
Donations can be dropped off at the front office or sent with your student to the counseling office. Thank you for supporting our students’ well-being! 💛🧡
#HangUpHangOut #GrowingGreatness #AllInAledo
2024-25 Data
Check out our AHS Counseling Department Data from the 2024-2025 school year!
We are thrilled to be able to share what we do and the impact of our counseling program on the AHS campus.
College Applications and Transcripts
Now is the time for the Class of 2026 to start making their post-secondary plans! We are here to help you as you start the planning and applying process!
College Applications
If you are applying to a Texas public school, you may use the Apply Texas application that can be found HERE.
Most private schools will use the Common Application which can be found HERE.
If the school you are applying to does not use the Apply Texas or the Common Application for their application process, please visit the college’s admissions page and you will most likely find a link on their website to apply.
College and Career Resources
Please visit the Aledo High School College and Career Readiness site HERE for helpful post-secondary information.
Our AHS Counseling website is always a great place to start! We have several pages there, but one especially for College & Career exploration.
In June, you will receive your student's High School Transcript. These will be mailed to the address on file in Ascender. this is the transcript your student will use for their College applications. As a reminder, only students in the top 10% receive a class rank. For more information on the AISD Academic Achievement guidelines, please click here.
Rising Seniors who apply to college over the summer and need their initial transcript sent, will use Major Clarity to request them. Major Clarity is the platform we use for post-secondary planning.
To request a transcript via Major Clarity, please follow the steps below. Universities require that they receive transcripts from a secure online resource.
- Go to the Launch Pad and then click on your "Major Clarity" Application
- Click on "Application Center" located on the left bar under your Profile Name
- Scroll down to "Transcript Request", then click on the "Request Transcript"
- Type in the name of the college or university, then click "Send Request"
Click here for a tutorial video for further assistance.
We look forward to our continued work with the AHS Class of 2026 and families! Time flies, so enjoy every moment!
Post-Secondary Planning Progress
Post-Secondary Planning
Check it out HERE!
Major Clarity is a great resource and is also where you will request transcripts and letters of recommendation.
Major Clarity Resources
- Career Exploration
- Post-Secondary Exploration
- Portfolio
- Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation (12th grade only)
- Connecting Your Common Application (12th grade only)
- Common Application Evaluator (12th grade only)
My Texas Future
Check out My Texas Future for more college and career planning information! It's a great site that also has direct admissions information for 25+ schools in Texas!
Connect with your AHS/DNG Counseling team!
Follow us on Instagram and X (twitter) and like our Facebook page (Aledo High School Counseling Department) for all things AHS Counseling and even some Bearcat fun! We will share upcoming dates, important information, and show you a look at AHS/DNG through our eyes.
