Counseling Resources

School counselors work with students throughout their high school experience to provide academic support and guidance. This may include reviewing progress reports, monitoring graduation requirements, discussing course selection, and helping students achieve their academic goals. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child's academic progress, please contact your child's school counselor.

Helpful resources for students and families:

• Academic Support at BHS

Graduation Requirements

Please refer to the Brookline High School Handbook for the most current graduation requirements.

To graduate from Brookline High School, students must earn a minimum of 22 credits, including the following required credits:

• English: 4 credits (four years). Some students may earn credits through English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.
• World Languages: 2 credits (two years in the same language).
• Mathematics: 3 credits (three years).
• Science: 3 credits (three years).
• Social Studies: 3 credits (World History I, World History II, and U.S. History).
• Career and Technology Education, Community Service, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts: 3 credits distributed across these program areas.
• Health and Fitness: 1 credit. Health and Fitness courses must be completed each year.

Massachusetts Graduation Competency Requirement

Students must also satisfy Massachusetts graduation competency requirements, including participation in statewide assessments as required by the Commonwealth.

If you are experiencing social, emotional, or mental health concerns, or if you are worried about a friend or family member, please contact your School Counselor or a member of the Brookline High School Support Staff.

Community Mental Health Resources

The following organizations provide additional support and resources for students and families:

• Brookline Center for Community Mental Health
• Riverside Community Care Child and Family Services
• Samariteens – 24-Hour Helpline: 1-800-252-8336 (TEEN)
• Families for Depression Awareness
• Self-Help and Coping Strategies for Depression
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
• Drug and Alcohol Resources
• Al-Anon and Alateen

Emergency Assistance

If you or someone else is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911 or contact the Brookline Police Department at 617-730-2222.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support from the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Ninth Grade (Freshman) Seminars help students transition successfully to Brookline High School by introducing school policies, expectations, and graduation requirements. Students are introduced to their Naviance accounts and begin the process of self-exploration through activities such as the Learning Style Survey and Personal Assessment Questionnaire.

Seminars also focus on developing effective study habits and helping students understand the role of the guidance counselor. As part of the seminar program, students are expected to schedule an individual meeting with their counselor using Naviance and email.

Freshman seminars are held during the advisory period beginning in late October.

Tenth Grade (Sophomore) Seminars continue the self-exploration process by introducing students to career planning and postsecondary pathways. Using Naviance's career exploration tools, students identify their interests, strengths, skills, and areas of aptitude while learning how these factors can influence future educational and career opportunities.

Seminars also connect career exploration to course selection at Brookline High School, including academic, career and technical education, and arts programs. Students begin preparing for opportunities beyond high school by reviewing their transcripts, understanding GPA calculations, and monitoring progress toward graduation requirements.

Additional topics include digital citizenship and online responsibility, creating a professional email address, developing a resume, and gaining an introduction to the college planning process. Students also learn about standardized testing, including MCAS and PSAT assessments.

Sophomore seminars are held during the advisory period beginning in mid-March.

Junior Seminar Guidance Handout – This packet provides an overview of the information shared with students during junior seminars.

Eleventh Grade (Junior) Seminars help students turn the self-reflection and career exploration completed in previous years into a personalized postsecondary plan. Students review their transcripts, evaluate their academic progress, and continue using Naviance tools to research colleges, careers, and other postsecondary opportunities.

Seminars provide an in-depth overview of the college planning process, including standardized testing, building a college list, requesting teacher recommendations, and highlighting extracurricular involvement in applications. Students are encouraged to think about a range of college options, including reach, target, and likely schools, while considering factors such as academic fit, financial affordability, and athletic opportunities.

Families play an important role in the planning process. Parents and guardians are invited to attend the Junior Parent Night held each February and the annual College Fair in the spring. Families are also encouraged to meet with their student's guidance counselor throughout the year to discuss college and career planning.

Course selection is reviewed in both seminar sessions and individual meetings to ensure students remain on track for graduation while maintaining a rigorous academic program aligned with their future goals.

Junior seminars begin in February and continue through the spring, including during Grade 10 MCAS testing administration periods.

Twelfth Grade (Senior) Seminars focus on helping students successfully navigate the postsecondary application process. Topics include completing college applications, using the Common Application and Naviance platforms, requesting teacher and counselor recommendations, and understanding application deadlines and requirements.

Students learn how recommendation letters are submitted and review the forms and procedures required to support their applications. Seminar sessions also cover application planning, organization, and strategies for managing the college admission process throughout the year.

While senior seminars are conducted in a classroom setting and may be led by any member of the senior counseling team, students are expected to meet regularly with their assigned guidance counselor. These individual meetings provide opportunities to review application plans, discuss updates to college and career goals, and make adjustments as needed.

Senior year planning builds upon the work completed during junior year. Although plans may evolve as students refine their goals and interests, counselors encourage students to follow the individualized planning process established during their junior year whenever possible.

Lenny Libenzon
College Counselor

lenny_libenzon@psbma.org
617-713-5019
Room 280

Mr. Libenzon is available during the school day to support students and families with college and postsecondary planning. He presents at college information programs, communicates regularly with students and families, and works closely with Brookline High School counselors to help students navigate the college search and application process.

Students and families are encouraged to speak with their assigned school counselor before scheduling an appointment with Mr. Libenzon. Questions may be submitted by email at any time, and he will respond as promptly as possible.

Student Documents and Resources

The Student Documents Folder contains important college planning resources, including:

• College Application Checklist – A step-by-step guide to the college application process for Brookline High School students.
• Student Self-Description Form – Completed by students at the end of junior year or the beginning of senior year to assist with college recommendations and planning.
• Parent/Guardian Brag Sheet – Completed by a parent or guardian and submitted to the student's school counselor to provide additional information for recommendation letters and postsecondary planning.