Bishop O’Dowd High School offers a carefully crafted set of counseling and student support programs to ensure each student has access to successful outcomes. These programs are implemented individually and in concert to help students assess and evaluate their interests and goals, attain maximum personal and intellectual growth, effectively handle academic and personal challenges, and make the best individual choices related to college and career direction. Please peruse the overview of programs below.
Counseling
At the heart of the O’Dowd experience is the relationship that O’Dowd students develop with their counselors and the outcomes that this relationship supports. O’Dowd’s skilled, experienced and caring counselors develop individualized relationships with students, meeting them where they are and empowering them to become their best selves. Each student is assigned a counselor who partners with them and their family throughout their four years at O’Dowd. Within this personally tailored relationship, counselors apply an integrated approach, addressing academic, college and career, and personal needs. This holistic approach ensures that students find their place in high school and beyond as they are supported in developing their talents, identifying and responding to challenges, building resiliency and developing competencies.
Grounded in consistent monitoring of student academic progress, academic counseling includes:
- Supporting course selection for graduation and college admissions
- Facilitating academic issue resolution
- Referral to Academic Support services on campus, educational therapists, tutors and outside testing agencies
- Monitoring academic jeopardy issues and facilitating resolution
Personal counseling includes:
- Individual or group counseling
- Parent conferences and referral resources
- Information for students on topics related to mental health
- Crisis intervention counseling
- Drug and alcohol education, information and counseling for students and parents
- Adolescent development education
- Referral to in-house MFT for individual therapy
College & Career Planning
O’Dowd counselors offer individualized college and career planning support as well as an integrated career and college curriculum that begins freshmen year, guiding students through the process of discernment that will lead to thoughtful choices regarding their future. In addition to personalized, one-on-one college planning meetings with their counselor during their junior and senior years, students receive access to two programs, Naviance and Dragon Launch to support this planning process.
Naviance, an online college and career program, is used to introduce and integrate students, parents and counselors into the planning process. Beginning in freshman year, students learn to access Naviance and begin the process of discovering who they are and who they want to become. Parents simultaneously receive access to the program and provide their input. This process of discernment continues from freshmen through senior year, resulting in successful college and career planning outcomes. For information on Dragon Launch, please see below.
Dragon Launch
Students receive access to the Dragon Launch program which provides them the opportunity to explore their competencies and begin to identify fields of interest and potential career paths. The use of Naviance is integrated into this program and key life skills are introduced each year, so that by graduation, each O’Dowd student has the skills needed for success: how to make a good first impression, how to construct a proper professional email, how to ask and answer interview questions, how to network, and how to show their best self to the world. Contact Meghan Wallingford for more information.
Freshmen
The first year of Dragon Launch seeks to position each student for success through exposure to basic communication skills and the exploration of individual learning styles and strengths.
First Semester content includes:
- Communication Basics: the importance of a strong first impression, how to shake a hand and how to write a proper email (link to video?).
- Setting yourself up for academic success: All students complete the Naviance Learning Styles Inventory(do we want to add links to Naviance assessments?).
Second Semester content includes:
- Naviance Strengths Explorer
- Introduction to Constructing a Resume
Sophomores
During the sophomore year Dragon Launch has students further explore their interests and find strategies to best manage their increasingly busy schedules.
First Semester content includes:
- Strategies for time management and setting priorities
- Completion of and discussion about the Naviance Cluster Finder
Second Semester content includes:
- Naviance Do What You Are assessment
- Career and Industry Exploration
- Introduction to resume writing
- Basic professionalism and job search etiquette (done in partnership with Service Learning).
Juniors
During the rigorous Junior year, Dragon Launch supports student development and discernment through exploration of individual interests and career exploration. All juniors will complete a resume and for motivated students interested in more in-depth industry exploration, work shadow visits opportunities are available.
First Semester content includes:
- Introduction to career exploration through the Naviance Career Interest Profiler and other career exploration tools.
- Career Day Interest Survey allows students to share their preferences for spring semester Career Day speakers.
- Opt in resume workshops and work shadow opportunities
Second Semester content includes:
- Career Day: On March 16, 2018 more than 50 speakers will present about their profession to small groups of interested juniors.
- Completion of a resume using Naviance Resume Builder.
- Job search strategies and job readiness
- Introduction to the Senior Questionnaire
Seniors
Senior Year:
Dragon Launch Offerings available to seniors include one-on-one meetings to discuss career interests, job search, interview preparation, resume writing and internship strategies.
First Semester offerings are optional for seniors.
- MP Workshops
- Senior Questionnaire wrap up
- Resume writing and internship strategies
- Work Shadow Visits: For students who have identified a field of interest, work shadow visits are scheduled individually, based on readiness and schedule.
Second Semester content includes:
- Linked In Workshops: all seniors will have the opportunity to complete a LinkedIn profile prior to graduation.
- Options offerings include:
- Resume Writing
- Personal Finance
Learning Disabilities and ADHD Services
Intellectual and cognitive diversity enriches our campus community. We welcome students from a broad spectrum of learning profiles and provide resources that allow students to contribute fully to our school. The LD/ADHD services at O’Dowd are designed to support students with documented learning disabilities and/or attention deficit through a team-based approach coordinated by a full-time specialized counselor. Contact Juliet Arechiga for more information.
View documentation LD/ADHD accommodations, requirements, and FAQs »
Contact Juliet Arechiga for more information.
Academic Support
O’Dowd addresses student academic performance challenges during their time as Dragons through a layered system of resources and support that is carefully designed and personalized. We believe that students succeed when they are supported by a collaborative program that includes structured communication between the home and school and a concerted case management approach involving all stakeholders, including teachers, coaches, academic support staff and counselors. For more information on Academic Support programs, please explore the drop down menu below or contact Catherine Harris, Director of Academic Support.
Drop-In Tutoring
Drop-in tutoring provides academic support for all O’Dowd students free of charge. Drop-in tutoring is based in the Academic Support Center. The Center is staffed with trained peer tutors as well as an adult tutor. Review, test preparation, and time management help are typical activities for which drop-in tutoring can provide significant support. Contact Catherine Harris for more information.
SMART Sessions
SMART Sessions provide O’Dowd students help with identifying and resolving roadblocks to academic success. These sessions are subject specific, teacher-led study groups that meet before or after school and require the student to commit to a fixed schedule for the entire semester. Contact Catherine Harris for more information.
Catch-Up Support
The CUSP program is designed to provide academic support for students who have missed, or will miss, a significant amount of school due to a planned or unplanned absence. The program is designed to provide either pro-active or reactive support depending on the circumstances of the absence. Contact Malik McCord for more information.
Support for Student Athletes
O’Dowd’s student athletes have access to drop-in tutoring year-round. While in season, student athletes receive grade monitoring, communication home, and personal check-ins as needed. This helps students adhere to demanding practice schedules while meeting the academic rigor of our college preparatory curriculum. Contact Malik McCord for more information.
Peer Tutoring
Peer Tutoring connects students struggling with homework, projects, studying for tests, and understanding class concepts, with students who have been identified by teachers as knowledgeable, personable, supportive, and enthusiastic about learning. Our Peer Tutors have at least a B or better in their subject areas, and attend bimonthly trainings to more effectively tutor their peers. For more information, contact Mr. Damian Barnes.
Dragon Success
Dragon Success is O’Dowd’s academic coaching program for 9th and 10th graders. Students work closely with an academic coach who provides help transitioning into high school. Students work on goal setting, organizational skills, planning and time management, effective communication, and self-advocacy. Contact Malik McCord for more information.
Academic Coaching
Academic coaching is a program available to 11th and 12th graders by referral. Candidates come from the bi-weekly list of students at risk of academic probation. Students have access to an academic coach to strengthen organization, time management, self-advocacy, and study skills. Contact Malik McCord for more information.
Final Exam Prep
The Finals Prep Workshop is a two-day workshop and participation is limited to 9th and 10th grade students. Each student will prepare a study plan for the two weeks leading up to finals. This is a fee-based program. Contact Catherine Harris for more information.
Concussion Management
Students under a doctor’s care for head injuries will follow the protocol for “return to learn.” The protocol parallels the “return to play” for student athletes and is governed by the recommendations from the student’s medical doctor. Contact Malik McCord for more information.
Upcoming Events
Academic Support hosts family workshops and presentations throughout the school year. Please check the school calendar or announcements section on the Student/Parent portal for upcoming events.
Drop-In Tutoring Hours
Academic Support Center (back of library)
Mon – Fri 7:00 – 8:15 a.m. (various subjects)
Mon – Fri 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. (various subjects)
Tuesday/Wednesday – Flex periods
Sat & Sun – TBD
CES1 Mon – Wed 3:00-4:30 p.m. (various subjects)
Click here for a list of teachers and their hours in the academic support center »