Elementary school counselors assist students with learning the skills and attitudes necessary to be successful in school. They emphasize to students that the classroom is their workplace and that communication, decision-making, interpersonal and career awareness skills are important to their success.

Building upon those skills taught at the elementary level, a major focus of middle school counselors is to provide services that address the career, personal/social and educational needs and concerns of students. Counselors at this level facilitate the expansion of career awareness and exploration activities to assist in the development and utilization of short and long-range educational and career plans.

High school counselors work with students in acquiring guidance competencies that form the foundation for the next educational and occupational levels. The counselors assist students in developing realistic educational and career plans based on a clear understanding of themselves, their needs, interests, skills, and abilities.