DHS Counseling Department

Whether it’s academic guidance, college and future planning, or social/emotional support, we’re here to help students succeed throughout their high school journey.
We’re here to support all DHS students!

(from left to right)

• Kathy Searl – Administrative Assistant

• Jill Carpenter – Director of School Counseling; students with last names L–Z

• Lindsey Ryan – School Adjustment Counselor / 504 Coordinator

• Kristen O’Brien – School Counselor; students with last names A–K

This fall, our Counseling Department has been happy to be back and connecting with students in grades 9–12. We’ve hit the ground running-managing schedule changes, meeting with students in classrooms and the cafeteria, and supporting them in a variety of ways. We look forward to continuing to guide students in both their academic and personal growth throughout the year!

We’re also reintroducing MEFA Pathway, a powerful online tool that helps students explore careers, set academic goals, and research colleges. This year, we will be using MEFA Pathway instead of Naviance to send transcripts and letters of recommendation. By using MEFA Pathway, students can take charge of their college and career planning and prepare for a successful future.

Counseling Seminar Topics covered in September/October:

Grade 9:

• Making the Most of High School

• Intro to MEFA Pathway/My Learning Style

Grade 10:

• Self-Advocacy

• Graduation Requirements / HOBY/Smart Goals in MEFA Pathway

Grade 11:

• Transcripts/What College Factors are Important to You

Grade 12:

• College Applications 101

Counseling Seminars Coming Up in November

Grade 9: Signs of Suicide (SOS)
Grade 10: Exploring Options After High School
Grade 12: Senior Next Steps

Douglas High School is excited to continue implementing MyCAP (My Career and Academic Plan), a program designed to help students explore their interests, set goals, and plan for life after high school. Launched last year, MyCAP has grown into an engaging program that makes planning for the future meaningful for every student.

Students in grades 9-12 rotate through four interactive MyCAP sessions led by teachers focused on career exploration, goal setting, and postsecondary planning. Using MEFA Pathway, each student builds a personalized online portfolio that tracks their goals, accomplishments, and career interests- giving them a roadmap to guide their future success. Teachers and students are already seeing the positive impact of this program.

On Friday, September 26, DHS hosted our annual College and Career Fair, featuring 80 representatives from colleges, businesses, and military organizations. The event gave students an exciting opportunity to learn more about post-secondary options, ask thoughtful questions, and begin envisioning their future pathways.

Ahead of the fair, students were encouraged to prepare by reviewing the types of questions they could ask, which helped them make the most of the experience. Throughout the morning, our gym was filled with engaging conversations, valuable insights, and meaningful connections that will continue to support students as they plan their next steps.

This event has become a cornerstone of the DHS experience, providing students with real-world exposure and inspiration for their journey ahead.

We welcomed 11 freshmen to the Nichols Leadership Academy, joining 22 other students in grades 10–12! Our first field trip was held on October 16th-new students were inducted into NLA and received a sweatshirt and tour of campus as well as hearing about all of the opportunities Nichols provides. The next field trips are planned for November 13 (Sports Symposium), February 11, and a date in April TBD. The Sports Symposium will give students the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and learn how leadership connects to athletics.

In addition to leadership activities and team-building, students benefit from support with college applications, receive a Nichols College ID granting access to the library and campus resources, and are invited to attend Nichols sporting events throughout the year.

The SAT's were held here at DHS on 10/1 and the PSAT's will be held on 10/29. Additional SAT dates are available on the College Board's site, and students should check local test centers in Massachusetts for availability. For more information on these SAT dates and registration, visit the College Board's official SAT page

Mrs. Carpenter & Mrs. O'Brien have met with all seniors to help them with their future plans-whether they are applying to college, wanting to join the military, go right into the workforce, attend a technical school, etc. We are here to support everyone-this is a big year!

The FASFA opened on 10/1....apply early to maximize your aid!

Click on the link below!

Douglas High School will host a Financial Aid Night for parents on Thursday, November 20th at 6 p.m. Our presenter, Robert Loconto, Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid at Curry College and MEFA representative, will provide guidance on navigating the college financial aid process, including tips on completing the FAFSA and understanding available resources. We hope you can join us!

Students can find a find a variety of scholarship opportunities posted in the Counseling Google Classroom. Also, a local scholarship packet will be available to seniors in late March. These resources give students the chance to explore and apply for scholarships from community organizations and local businesses.

Please click below for the Scholarship Book for Seniors:

We have also included the NCAA guide for student-athletes to help those planning to pursue college athletics navigate eligibility and scholarship opportunities. Please click below!

The Philip J. Saviano Memorial Scholarship will be available in December. This scholarship is awarded to five seniors from DHS in the amount of $20,000 each!! To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

-Have attended DHS for grades 10-12
-Are planning to attend a four year college or university to major in a STEM related field (please see below list for STEM eligible majors)
-Have taken a minimum of eight STEM eligible courses in grades 10-12 (see attached list)
-Have a weighted GPA of 90 or higher

The scholarship will be available through a website called bold.org. Although the scholarship is not available until December, students can still create a profile and explore other available scholarships. Stay tuned for the scholarship release date!

Friday, January 30th: QCC Info Session for those students planning on applying. Please see Mrs. Carpenter and Mrs. O’Brien to make sure you are on the list to participate in this event.

Friday, February 6th: QCC Decision Day. Interested students will meet individually with the QCC admissions representative and will earn their conditional acceptance to the college that day.

This year, 19 of our seniors are gaining valuable hands-on experience through the Douglas High School Work-Study Program. Students are placed at a variety of community sites, including:

• Dog Orphans

• Grafton Elementary School

• Douglas Police Department

• Douglas Fire Department

• Douglas Middle School

• Douglas Primary School

• Douglas Elementary School

• Precious Ones Childcare Center and Preschool

• Avenue on Main

• Platinum Nutrition

• Uxbridge District Court

• Fyzical Sports Spine and Balance Therapy

These placements allow students to explore career interests, develop workplace skills, and contribute meaningfully to our community while continuing their academic studies.

In addition to participating in counseling seminars, our juniors will have individual meetings this spring with Mrs. Carpenter and Mrs. O’Brien to explore their interests, set goals, and plan for life after high school. These meetings provide an important opportunity for students to reflect on their next steps and prepare for their future.

Mrs. Carpenter and Mrs. O’Brien are finishing up individual meetings with all of our freshmen to discuss their transition to high school and have met with both freshmen and sophomores in the cafeteria for counseling seminar. These meetings have been a wonderful opportunity to connect personally with each student and begin building the relationships that will support them throughout their high school journey.

All students enrolled in an AP course are expected to take the corresponding AP exam in the spring.

Exam Fee: $99 per exam

• Partial fee waivers available ($22)

• Students on free or reduced lunch should contact Mrs. Carpenter for additional fee assistance

• Please make checks payable to Town of Douglas

Payment Due: Friday, October 31, 2025

• Submit to Mrs. Searl in the Counseling Office

AP Exam Schedule – May 2026

Monday, May 4

• 8:00 AM – Biology

Tuesday, May 5

• 8:00 AM – Chemistry

• 12:00 PM – US Government & Politics

Wednesday, May 6

• 8:00 AM – English Literature & Composition

• 12:00 PM – Physics I

Thursday, May 7

• 12:00 PM – Statistics

Friday, May 8

• 8:00 AM – US History

Monday, May 11

• 8:00 AM – Calculus AB

• 12:00 PM – Seminar

Wednesday, May 13

• 8:00 AM – English Language & Composition

Friday, May 15

• 12:00 PM – Computer Science A (VHS)

This Spring, all 10th graders will take the ELA MCAS on 3/24 & 3/25. They will also take the Math MCAS on 5/19 & 5/20.

The Biology MCAS for 9th graders will be on 6/2 & 6/3.

As the holiday season approaches, we want to ensure all our families have the support they need. If your family could use a little extra help this Thanksgiving or Christmas, please don't hesitate to reach out to our counseling office. Your request will remain confidential, and we're here to help in any way we can to make the holidays a joyful time for everyone in our community.