Counseling

East Grand Rapids High School's Counseling Department is committed to developing healthy, meaningful relationships of strength, commitment, and involvement that make a difference in students' lives.

The Counseling Office serves many functions for high school students and their parents. Most commonly, students associate counselors with the creation of student schedules and the submission of college applications. However, counselors have many other responsibilities. Counselors are also called on to help students in personal crisis, facilitate mediation between students, consult with students on problem-solving, facilitate support groups, and provide information and referrals to services outside the school.

Counseling office

Our office is open to serve students from 7:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year.

Phone: 616-235-7594

School Code: 231705

Kris Waschbusch, Administrative Assistant

Quick Links

High School Planning

EGRHS strives to help each student find their unique path toward their goals. Please look through the information below for course options, sequencing, and other pertinent information.

KISD Programming

GENERAL STATEMENT ABOUT HONORS COURSES:

Students who engage in honors courses often demonstrate a solid foundation in organization, time management, and communication skills. They are intrinsically motivated and enjoy the learning process. This includes spending additional time outside the classroom mastering concepts and connecting with teachers and classmates to enhance their understanding. Students are not often given credit for the completion of work; rather, they are assessed on their demonstrated understanding of the material.

Freshmen should carefully consider the number of honors courses they take so that they can balance their academic workload with time spent in athletics, clubs, and additional extracurricular activities. We want each student to have a healthy and well-rounded high school experience.

Career & College Planning

There are so many options beyond high school! Options could include attending a two-year college, or four-year university, landing an apprenticeship, enlisting with a military branch, or heading straight into the workforce. The options are endless and we are thrilled to partner with you!

What are my Options?

4 year or 2 year College or University
Trade, Vocational, Apprenticeship, or Certification Programs
Service Academies/Military
Gap Year
- Gap Year Association
- Americorps
Join the Workforce

Opportunities for students with disabilities

Resources

MI Department of Education: What are my Options?

Standardized Testing

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)

ACT (American College Testing)

AP (Advanced Placement Testing)

AP Classroom & Registration
Benefits of AP
AP Credit Policy Search Your AP scores could earn you college credit or advanced placement (meaning you could skip certain courses in college). Use this tool to find colleges that offer credit or placement for AP scores.

CLEP (College Level Examination Program)

Additional Testing

Michigan Department of Education Seal of Biliteracy

Test Prep Resources

What Does Test-Optional Mean on College Applications?

Many students wonder, how do colleges evaluate an application for admission if they don’t have any test scores? Most colleges will do a comprehensive holistic review of a student’s application.
What is a holistic review? A holistic review includes considering the applicant as a whole individual. The holistic review takes into account factors such as a student’s strength in high school coursework, academic and extracurricular interests, unique talents, and personality. By evaluating an application from a holistic perspective, admissions officers take the time to get to know applicants as people, not as numbers.
In general, colleges will look more closely at the information about the classes you took, your grades, your extracurricular activities, and any essays or recommendations you may have to submit.
When should you send your scores to a test-optional school? Generally, if your scores are higher than the average test score of your high school.
Understanding the Testing section in Common App

Family Resources

Counselors are also called on to help students in personal crisis, facilitate mediation between students, consult with students on problem-solving, facilitate support groups, and provide information and referrals to services outside the school.

In addition, families can utilize these Community Mental Health Resources:

Hotline/Lifeline

Mental Health Services

Arbor Circle
The Bridge
Bethany Christian Services
Catholic Charities of West Michigan
Cherry Street
Christian Counseling Center
D.A. Blogett Services for Children & Families
Family Outreach Center
Forest View Hospital
- Assessment and Referral Center (open 24/7)
Hope Network Behavioral Helath
Leonard Street Counseling Center
Network 180
Pine Rest
- Assessment and Referral Center (open 24/7)
Wedgewood Christian Services
YMCA of Grand Rapids

General Resources

Staff

Charissa Chapman, LPC, Counselor, Students A-F

Kristin Kuczera, MA, SCL, Counselor, Students G-O

Elle Burgess, MA, SCL, Counselor, Students P-Z

Ashlea Dull, Social Worker

Annie Lauka, Social Worker

Holly Boehle, Psychologist

Kathy Lennon, Psychologist

Transcripts

If you are an EGR High School graduate, use the link below to request a transcript. There is a $4.65 fee per transcript. Transcript requests are generally processed within 48 hours of the request.