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Guidance, mental health and college/career updates: Duxbury highlights AP costs, Care Solace and career counseling
Summary
District staff reported steady guidance staffing, expanded career counseling via grant funding, mental-health trends, and that the district covers AP test fees for students in need through a local WE CAN fund; AP exams currently cost $125 and the district is reviewing AP-test policy.
Duxbury Public Schools gave an overview on Jan. 29 of guidance services, mental-health supports and college-and-career programming, including information on AP-test costs and district financial assistance for families.
Guidance staff said counselor caseloads have remained stable despite small enrollment changes and that the district added a grant-funded career counselor to expand individualized planning and career exploration. The district plans a larger career fair in March in partnership with South Shore Health and expects about 100 students to participate; staff said the event will bring additional colleges and career-pathway information to students.
On advanced courses and testing, the district reported record AP participation and performance this year: more AP exams were administered than in prior years, with approximately 1,000 exams scheduled and about 84% of scores in the 3'5 range (as cited by staff). The committee discussed that AP exams cost $125 per student and that the district currently requires students taking AP courses to also take the AP exam. Staff said the district's WE CAN fund and other discretionary aid are used to cover AP-test fees and other costs for students who demonstrate need; staff said they have not denied financial help to families with hardship needs.
On college-application trends, counselors reported that roughly 89% of graduates went on to college historically, and that the remainder pursue work, military service, gap years, or two-year programs. Counselors said they are tracking a small rise in students choosing direct workforce or gap-year options and encouraged families to view college as one of several postsecondary pathways.
Mental-health reporting described an increase in referrals for high-functioning anxiety, academic stress and sleep loss; staff described district efforts to expand social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum and to align policies and classroom practices to promote student problem-solving and resilience. The district also described the Care Solace referral program and timing patterns in referrals (higher in September and after holiday breaks). Staff said they are developing SEL competencies, offering family resources and planning additional parent information sessions.
