The Guidance Department of Alexander Mackenzie High School offers you, your parents and your community a variety of services and programs.

Guidance Counsellors address questions and concerns regarding high school program planning and academic success. They provide information regarding educational alternatives and career choices. Counsellors provide students with a safe, non-judgmental opportunity to address personal and social issues.

During each year of high school, counselors meet with students to inform them about useful study skills, careers, researching and applying for college and/or university. This enables students to make a successful transition to post secondary education or to the workplace.

Your guidance counsellor will work with you to create a program that is tailored to meet your needs. Within the semester system you have the opportunity to develop a program that is uniquely yours. You will be able to select subjects that meet your academic interests and your educational strengths.

It is extremely important that you take time to make subject selections (PDF 48kb). Talk with your parents, your teachers and your guidance counselor before you finalize your decision.

Students are encouraged to review their academic progress and to discuss their personal goals. Appropriate materials such as pamphlets, course calendars (doc 28kb) and resources made available. Students are also able to attend the York Region Career Center on request.

Many students and parents consult with counsellors regarding personal concerns. Individual or small group counselling is available upon request. Counsellors also provide referrals and liaison with community social service agencies if this is needed.

Throughout the school year the Guidance Services Department organizes and assists with many special programs. As well, we invite speakers from universities, colleges and the world of work. We organize campus tours and tours of employment interest.

Our Career Center (Room 145) contains an abundance of information about post-secondary school programs, career information, computer programs and student opportunities. Visit us on your lunch break 

Through Individual and group counseling, classroom visitations, workshops/seminars, and field trips, the guidance program provides opportunities for students to gain the skills and information necessary to:

• Develop Educational Plans (PDF 48kb)

• We help you plan your educational choices, both high school courses and post-secondary programs, so that they are flexible and suited to your needs, aptitudes and abilities.

In the career development area of our program, Counsellors help you:

• Learn more about yourself by encouraging you to recognize and make full use of your interests and aptitudes.

• Explore a variety of careers.

• Practice the decision-making skills needed to make wise future choices.

• To help you be effective in all life roles, we offer supportive individual and group counseling to foster self-understanding and the development of effective inter-personal relations.

| Making a counselling appointment?

Your Guidance Counsellors like to see you as often as possible so we encourage you to make an appointment whenever you feel the need, whether it be for questions about your timetable, trouble with a course, concerns about your future, or problems with friends or family.

Counsellors are assigned to students according to the first letter of the student's last name. For academic counselling all students work with their assigned counsellor to ensure that their academic records are in order. For personal counselling students are encouraged to approach their assigned counsellor first, however, are free to work with the counsellor with whom they feel most comfortable.

Here's what you do to see one of the Guidance Counsellors.

1. Come to the Guidance Services Area (Room 143) either before or after school, or during your lunch break to make an appointment.

2. In the "Guidance Appointment Register" choose a convenient time (no tests, assignments, etc.)

3. Print your name neatly in that time space with the counselor with whom you wish to speak.

4. Fill in the "Interview Appointment Form".

5. Show the form to your subject teacher at the beginning of the period for approval, and come to the Guidance Office at you scheduled time.

6. Your Counsellor will note the time the appointment ended, and you will use the slip for admittance back to class.