School Counseling/Guidance Department

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Jami Dion, Director of Guidance, Counseling & Student Support Services

Megan Arivella, Supervisor of School Counseling

Our Mission

Haverhill Public Schools Counseling Department is committed to cultivating a growth mindset in every student through a holistic and inclusive approach to navigate challenges, build self-awareness, and achieve full potential. We aim to provide all students a safe and nurturing environment to gain essential resources, guidance, and comprehensive support to make informed decisions about their own well-being and college, career, and post-secondary choices.

2025-2026 HHS Program of Studies
2026-2027 HHS Program of Studies

2026-2027 Gateway Academy Program of Studies

2025-2026 Haverhill High School School Profile 

2026 Haverhill High School Advanced Placement Tests Schedule 

What’s the News?? Utilize the Counselor Connection for up to date information on events, college visits, deadlines and important school guidance information.

The Counseling Department at HHS offers comprehensive support for students dealing with a wide range of issues, from mental health challenges to personal or academic concerns. All counselors are licensed professionals who provide confidential services to help students manage stress, navigate conflicts, or seek guidance during difficult times. If your student is facing personal struggles, supporting a friend in need, looking to develop coping skills or seek help, the counseling staff is available. Families are also encouraged to reach out for assistance with navigating family crises, understanding available community resources, and learning about individual or group counseling options. Counselors are available throughout the school day, and students can contact them in person or via email to request help or support. Whatever the need, counselors are ready to provide the assistance and resources necessary for students to succeed.

HHS Career Technical Education:

HHS Career Technical Education Programs

CTE & Vocational Presentation on Dates/Deadlines

Application Timeline for the 2025-2026 school year:

• November 1, 2025– Students can apply at https://haverhill.go2cte.com/

• February 13, 2026 – Deadline to submit all parts of the application

• March 2026 – Acceptance to the programs will be finalized, and notifications sent to students (applications submitted on time)

As part of our recent Middle School Exploration Policy, HPS is required to notify families of local vocational opportunities and deadlines. Grade 9, 10 & 11th-grade students- Whittier Tech and Essex Tech (and our own CTE Program) are now lottery-based. This means that acceptances are at random, and there is no specific criterion for acceptance.

We have been notified of the deadlines to transfer to Whittier Tech:

• mid-year admission to grade 9– application due by December 1, 2025. Drawing: Dec. 9th @ 4pm
• Grade 9 Fall admissions- application due by January 9, 2026. Drawing: Jan. 27th @ 4pm
• Grade 10 & 11 transfers – application due by February 1, 2026. Drawing: May 12th @ 4pm

*All Lottery drawings for the WVT deadlines stated above will be streamed live on their You Tube Channel. Visit: Whittiertech.org (Admissions tab) for links and more info.

Policy

HPS CTE Admissions Policy

Middle School Exploration Pathways Policy

We are excited for the school year, as it brings many valuable opportunities for our middle school students. Students and families can find important information on the School Counseling and CTE (Career and Technical Education) webpage, which is currently being updated. In alignment with the latest guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regarding access to CTE schools, districts are now required to provide information about CTE/vocational programs and career pathways through a variety of methods. We will also be providing dates and deadlines for applications in classroom lessons, on the webpages, and in newsletters.

In the fall, middle school students will have the opportunity to attend a High School Career Fair hosted at their school by the Haverhill High School School Counseling and CTE Departments, as well as a tour of HHS for Grade 8.

Haverhill High School is proud to continue offering multiple ways for students and families to learn about high school options, applications, and CTE opportunities. These include (but are not limited to):

• The School Counseling and CTE webpage
• In-class guidance lessons
• Naviance Self Planner-career/interest inventories & activities
• High school tours

• Grade 6-8 Open House: Family Night at HHS 

• A High School Career Fair this fall at each middle school

For GRADE 8 students & families:

In addition, as part of the state’s pathway exploration policies, we are required to share contact information of our 8th-grade students with Whittier Vocational Technical High School and the Essex North Shore Agriculture Admissions Office. They use this information to create mailing lists to update students and families on Open Houses, the application process, and any events that may be occurring that would be of interest to potential students. The information that would be shared: grade 8 students’ and parents/guardians’ first and last names, mailing addresses, the parents/guardians’ email addresses, and primary language. An opt-out form will be shared with families with a deadline to complete prior to October 15th if parents/guardians DO NOT want the information specified above to be shared with the vocational schools. The form can be translated into your chosen language by using the translate feature on the top right-hand corner.

We look forward to helping students explore their interests and plan for a successful future!

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Twenty (20) credits are required for graduation from Haverhill High School.  All scholars must satisfy the graduation requirements listed below.  Note: Graduation requirements subject to change with School Committee approval. *Pending, a new Competency Determination Policy and Graduation Requirement changes for the graduating class of 2026 & beyond. Haverhill Public Schools is committed to supporting students, helping them stay on track to graduate, and guiding them in developing and mastering both academic courses and essential skills.

HPS will enforce all previous graduation requirements, with the exception of a passing score on the MCAS examination. In addition, Computer Technology and School-to-Career courses are considered elective courses to more closely align with MassCore expectations. However, graduates are strongly encouraged to complete a 4th year of Math and meet the Mass Core graduation requirements set forth by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Mass Core is a state-recommended, rigorous program of study that aligns high school coursework with college and workforce expectations. Mass Core requires an additional credit in Mathematics, one credit in both World Language and Fine Arts, and two and a half additional courses, for a total of 22 credits. Note: MassCore does not include Wellness which is a state requirement so two additional credits are needed for a total of 24 credits. HHS students completing the Mass Core graduation requirements will be acknowledged for their achievement of this distinction.

** Required by law 

Note: Graduation requirements are subject to change with School Committee approval. 

** Required by law

Information for Alumni

Requests for Records

Schools requesting records should email or fax their requests on school letterhead to hhsguidanceinfo@haverhill-ps.org or (978) 372-7419.

Transcript Requests for Former Students

Former students may request a copy of their transcript by emailing the Guidance Department at: hhsguidanceinfo@haverhill-ps.org. Please include the following information:

• Name as it appeared when attended HHS
• Year of Graduation
• Date of Birth
• Telephone number where you can be reached
• Full Name and Address where transcript should be mailed

Please allow 2-3 business days for processing.