MLC offers a comprehensive developmental guidance program to assist
students with their academic experiences. While attending the
Metropolitan Learning Center, students are assisted during their
transition into the school in Grade 6, through their transition from the
“middle school” into the 9th Grade Academy and the IB-Middle Years
Programme, through the final three years of high school, and into their
post-secondary opportunities.
Every student at the Metropolitan Learning Center is assigned a
school counselor. Students entering the school in Grade 6 have the
option to attend an orientation and visit the school while they are in
the 5th grade. In addition, all sixth grade students are invited to
attend a Summer Academy during the summer before sixth grade. At this
Academy and the various orientation events, new students meet their
school counselors and learn about their individual academic programs.
During the first weeks of school, students again have the opportunity
to meet again with their counselors. While in middle school, students
work with their counselors on academic planning, service learning
projects, selection of extra-curricular activities, and other personal
and academic concerns. Students are guided through their experiences in
the IB-MYP Programme in grades 6 though 10. The school counselors in
high school continue to guide students through their experiences at the
Metropolitan Learning Center, ensure that students meet MLC and state
graduation requirements, and provide a complete college/career planning
and application program, which includes information for parents about
financial aid. MLC’s guidance staff continues to be available to
students beyond their graduation from MLC.
In addition to academic and career counseling, MLC offers a
counseling center staffed by two full-time certified social workers. Additionally, a School Based Health Clinician is available full time to meet with students. Students and parents with specific issues are able to take advantage of:
- Short term individual counseling
- Support groups on age-specific issues
- Crisis intervention/counseling
- Referrals to community-based agencies