Academic Development

The School Counseling Department collaborates with teachers and families to ensure all students have the support they need to be successful in their education and make progress in their academic achievement. We explicitly teach students basic study skills and strategies, such as SMART goal setting, time management, organization skills, and test taking skills, to maximize each students' ability to learn. School counselors collaborate with administrators to monitor students' academic progress and put in place academic contracts and additional supports when needed. 

In addition, school counselors help students with their transition to high school, monitor students grades, and frequently reach out to families of students that are not meeting academic standards to remove barriers to learning and support students' academic progress. At SMUSD we have an 8th grade promotion policy. Please click on the following links to review this policy:

SMUSD 8th Grade Promotion Letter
SMUSD Carta sobre Promoción del 8vo Grado - Spanish

Students and families can review the links below to learn more about the high school transition, as well as important information for course selection in 9th grade. Most of our students are assigned to attend San Marcos High School (SMHS), however some students might be assigned to go to Mission Hills High School (MHHS) if they are currently enrolled in our school with an intra district transfer. If you are enrolled in an intra or inter district transfer, you must enroll in your assigned high school. 

SMHS Course Catalog 2020-21 (includes graduation requirements)
SMHS Course Selection Sheet for Freshman 2020-21
SMHS New Student Enrollment 2020-21
SMHS Frequently Asked Questions Freshman
Discover SMHS 2020: A Virtual Experience for 8th Graders

MHHS Course Catalog 2020-21 (includes graduation requirements)
MHHS Course Selection Sheet for Freshman 2020-21
MHHS New Student Enrollment 2020-21