Principal-Counselor Relationship

cover image - A Closer Look

Principal-counselor relationships are
critical to student success.
We hope that by sharing the results of our research – which we have undertaken in collaboration with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) – we can inspire principals, counselors and other educators to examine the principal-counselor relationships in their own schools. This can help them determine how they might be able to work together effectively to improve the educational outcomes for all students.

About the study

After surveying more than 2,300 principals and counselors, we interviewed several teams of principals and counselors around the country. Identified by NOSCA, NASSP and ASCA as including exemplary principals, counselors or counseling programs, these teams shared stories about their success in working together to promote educational reform efforts and improve the academic outcomes for their students.

Best practices

In addition to their inspirational stories, the teams interviewed had practical advice for overcoming many of the barriers to successful principal-counselor relationships. By building on their work, we believe that more principals and counselors can forge a stronger relationship, create a true partnership and support a school vision to prepare students for successful futures, including college success.

Explore the Principal-Counselor Toolkit

"Collaborative decisions take longer, but they also last a lot longer."

Mel Riddile, Associate Director for High School Services, NASSP and [Former] Principal, T.C. Williams High School

"Building trust first starts with you having a relationship, to really understand who you are, what your vision is, what your philosophy is, why that's important."

Elizabeth Kirby, Principal, Kenwood Academy

4.29

The ranking of the importance that principals gave school counselor participation on school leadership teams, on a 1-5 scale.
The Principal-Counselor Relationship

Patricia Martin, assistant vice-president for NOSCA on the importance of the principal-counselor relationship.
Patricia J. Martin, assistant vice-president for NOSCA on the importance of the principal-counselor relationship.

The Role of the Principal

Dick Flannery, senior director for leadership programs and services at NASSP, on the role of the principal
Dick Flanary, senior director for leadership programs and services at NASSP, on the role of the principal.

The Role of the Counselor

Richard Wong, executive director of ASCA, on the role of the counselor.
Richard Wong, executive director of ASCA, on the role of the counselor.

A Closer Look

The Principal-Counselor Survey
Doreen Finkelstein, research scientist at the College Board, on the principal-counselor survey.