College Guidance Philosophy

Valwood’s priority in the college guidance process is to help students identify, apply to, and secure admission to colleges and universities that will meet their needs, nurture their talents and interests, and appropriately challenge them. But, the development of decision-making skills, which allow students to own and engage in this process successfully is of equal importance. Good decision-making not only increases the likelihood that students identify colleges that will prove to be a good match for them, but it also prompts a move toward self-awareness and self-sufficiency, attributes that are vital for students as they transition into adulthood.

Valwood’s college guidance program empowers students to make reasoned and informed decisions, to advocate effectively for themselves, to follow a schedule and meet deadlines, and to employ strong organizational skills throughout the process. We are committed to providing timely information, counseling, and support to help each student develop the necessary skills to complete each phase of the college process successfully.

Valwood recognizes that students' mental health is a priority. All students have access to the on-campus counselor, Katherine Freeman, if they need someone to talk to. Katherine Freeman, LCSW graduated from Auburn University with her bachelors in psychology and went on to Valdosta State University to obtain her masters in social work. She has worked in multiple settings including inpatient substance abuse treatment, college counseling, community counseling, and crisis response. 

Teachers, parents, and students are able to make referrals to Katherine at any time throughout the year. Her office is in Crane Hall. 

An on-campus speech therapy program was started at Valwood School during the 2023-2024 school year. This program was started by Maggie Ferguson. She is a Valwood graduate of the class of 2002. After high school, she graduated from Mercer University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Next, she attended Valdosta State University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders and her master’s degree in communication disorders. In 2010 she was the recipient of the College of Education’s Most Outstanding Teacher of the Year award. She has been a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association since her career began. 

Students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade are able to be referred to Maggie for a speech evaluation then subsequent sessions to work with and help the students reach their speech and language goals. Speech sessions occur during the school day and are scheduled with the teacher at a time that is best for the student so that they do not miss out on valuable classroom and/or extracurricular time. Maggie understands the importance of collaborating with both teachers and parents of students receiving speech services to enhance progress and to assist with the carryover of skills.

All students in the Middle and Upper School are able to take advantage of free tutorial sessions with academic teachers from 3:30 - 4:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday each week. This is a time that students can sit one-on-one with a teacher and discuss a specific topic that they may not understand. Students should discuss tutorial attendance with their teacher to ensure that the teacher does not have a parent conference or other conflict scheduled. 

Middle and Upper School students have one 45 minute study hall class built into their schedule. Valwood understands the rigorous expectations that are set for our students as well as the amount of extra-curricular participation that our students partake in. This built in study hall is meant to ease that load in allowing students time during the day to complete homework and study. Students can also use study hall time to go to teachers for assistance or if they have questions. 

All Valwood juniors have an SAT Math Preparation course built into their schedule. This course reviews the math content that students will see on the College Board SAT as well as assist with testing strategies. The SAT is now fully digital, so students are able to get acquainted with the testing application and take practice tests prior to their test date. 

Because Valwood's campus houses grades pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, it is not uncommon for older students to assist, tutor, and mentor students in lower grades. An excellent example of this is Valwood's Pre-K/5th Grade Buddies. Every Friday morning, fifth grade students visit the pre-kindergarten classrooms and spend time with their "pre-k buddy." These students read, practice sight words, motor skills, and other tasks with each other. The camaraderie and bonds built between these students lasts way beyond the Friday morning Buddy Time.