Recognized for Excellence
KHS Shines as Gold Star School
Kokomo School Corporation is pleased to announce that Kokomo High School has earned the distinction of being a Gold Star school for its exceptional Counseling Department. This recognition highlights the school's unwavering commitment to providing outstanding support and counseling services to our students. The Kokomo Board of School Trustees acknowledged and celebrated this remarkable achievement during a school board meeting, when a Resolution was read to honor the KHS Counseling Department. Representatives from KHS attended and graciously accepted the recognition.
The Counseling Office at Kokomo High School is comprised of a dedicated team of counselors and facilitators who work collaboratively to ensure the well-being and success of every student.
Comprehensive Guidance & Support
With four counselors and three facilitators, the department is well-equipped to offer comprehensive guidance and support in various areas, including academic, college and career, and social and emotional development. The counselors at Kokomo High School provide a wide range of services to students. From academic guidance to college and career planning, as well as social and emotional support, the KHS Counseling Department is committed to helping students flourish and achieve their goals. While overseeing a caseload of 300-350 students per counselor, the team at Kokomo High School continuously seeks innovative ways to make a positive impact while addressing the individual needs of each student.
To effectively guide and support a large number of students, the KHS counselors collaborate closely with the KHS facilitators, including the Graduation Facilitator, Counseling Facilitator, and Social and Emotional Learning Facilitator. Through individual and group sessions, as well as classroom lessons on crucial topics like time management and conflict resolution, these facilitators offer additional support and intervention to students who request or require it. Their dedicated efforts allow the counselors to provide targeted assistance and guidance to each student, ensuring their overall success.
Grants are a significant source of funding support for the counseling department. KHS received a grant for the facilitator position, the development of the sensory room, and the implementation of classroom lessons curriculum. The goal of this grant is to alleviate non-counseling tasks from counselors, allowing them to focus primarily on the needs of students.
The Graduation Facilitator at Kokomo High School plays a vital role in assisting students facing diverse obstacles, such as food insecurity, home life challenges, addictions, substance abuse, and loss and grief. Additionally, this facilitator oversees the Kokomo Leadership Academy (KLA), a mentoring program that includes peer mentor groups and freshman orientation.
The Counseling Facilitator provides supplementary support to students in crisis and those with specific diagnoses. They work with small groups to address anxiety and conflict resolution, and they lead classroom lessons that help students develop and utilize essential skills. Furthermore, the Counseling Facilitator leads the Bring Change to Mind Club, a national club aimed at destigmatizing mental health.
Collaborating locally with Turning Point, the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Facilitator at Kokomo High School offers valuable resources to students. They also meet regularly with KHS seniors who are behind on credits, providing them with the necessary support and guidance to meet graduation requirements.
Promoting Career & College Readiness in a Changing World
In addition to the exceptional efforts of the KHS Counseling Department staff, Kokomo High School has established partnerships with organizations like Ivy Tech, which allows them to have a College Connection Coach on campus. This coach assists students with college and career-related matters, further promoting college and career readiness among the student body.
The KHS Counseling Office organizes various events, including FAFSA nights, scholarship nights, senior signing day events, college visits, and career fairs, offering students invaluable opportunities to explore their future paths. As part of their ongoing commitment to student well-being, Kokomo High School is working diligently to open a sensory room in the spring. This initiative, led by the Counseling Facilitator, will provide a calming and supportive space for students in need.
RAMPing up Excellence
The Counseling Department's excellence has been recognized through various achievements, including the RAMP Certification, which requires a rigorous two-year application process involving meeting specific components and submitting extensive school data. Furthermore, Kokomo High School is one of only six schools in Indiana to be honored as a Gold Star School.
KHS Principal Angela Blessing remarked, “I am incredibly proud of our Counseling Department's achievement in earning the prestigious Gold Star recognition. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our counselors and facilitators who go above and beyond to provide exceptional support and guidance to our Wildkat students. At Kokomo High School, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. This recognition reaffirms our commitment at KHS to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment where all students can thrive and achieve their goals."
Empowering Students for Success
Prospective families and students who are interested in learning more about the exceptional educational experiences offered at Kokomo High School are encouraged to visit, tour the campus, and meet with the KHS staff and students. By sitting in on classes and exploring the various options available, students can discover their preferences and align their goals with the opportunities provided by Kokomo High School.
With a focus on diverse classes, pathways, and personalized support, KHS aims to empower students to thrive academically and prepare for their future endeavors. Kokomo High School remains dedicated to providing a wide range of opportunities and resources to cater to the unique needs and aspirations of every student.
Discover: The Wildkat Way
Contact Kokomo High School 765-45-8040 and explore the choices available to you, your student, and your family.