Counseling

The mission and responsibility of the Counseling Department is to advocate for students. We seek to develop a relationship with each student and become cognizant of the students’ academic, personal, social and spiritual strengths and weaknesses. We assist students in their developmental growth from freshman year through senior year and strive to maximize their potential in every way possible in partnership with parents and teachers.

COUNSELING SERVICES

academic counseling	personal counseling
parent/teacher consultations	referral to counseling agencies
career education exploration	college planning (visits, applications, etc)
financial aid workshops	parent orientations
Standardized testing	parent workshops
freshman parent night	college information night
organization & study skills assistance	classroom presentations on social issues

Credit Recovery Classes

All of these classes are delivered online, and available around the clock. Students can enroll at any time during the year. Once enrolled, each student is assigned an academic coach who will contact them twice weekly to discuss progress and provide assistance.

HOW TO ENROLL IN FOUR EASY STEPS
Step 1 – Student needs to have one page form from student’s school counselor explaining what courses the student is approved to take at My Virtual Academy.

Step 2 – Click on the enrollment form link on our website, clintondalevirtualschool.com to fill out your enrollment forms, or you can come into My Virtual Academy location at 19189 15 Mile, located in the Trackside Commons Plaza close to Groesbeck Highway in Clinton Township.

Step 3 – Make payment either by credit card, check or money order made payable to: My Virtual Academy.

Step 4 – Students receive course login information with the link for the enrollment forms.

ALL CLASSES ARE $300.

For enrollment information, contact Jennifer Dorcy by phone: 586-649-2323; fax: 586-792-5686; or email: jenniferd@atsedu.net.

Available Recovery Classes

ENGLISHEnglish 9 A/B
English 10 A/B
English 11 A/B
English 12 A/B

MATH
Accounting A/B
Pre Algebra A/B
Algebra 1 A/B
Algebra 2 A/B
Consumer Mathematics
Geometry A/B
Introduction to Finance
Integrated Math 1 A/B
Integrated Math 2 A/B
Integrated Math 3 A/B
Personal Finance
Pre-Calculus A/B
Probability and Statistics

ELECTIVES
Applied Medical Terminology A/B
Art History and Appreciation
Business Information Management A/B
Career Explorations
Child Development and Parenting A/B
Computer Programming A/B
Computing for College and Careers A/B
Digital and Interactive Media A/B
Drafting and Design A/B
Entrepreneurship A/B
Essential Career Skills
Food & Safety Sanitation
Game Development
Health
Health Science 1 A/B
Introduction to Anthropology
Introduction to Archaeology
Introduction to Astronomy
Introduction to Culinary Art
Introduction to Fashion Design
Introduction to Philosophy
Introduction to Social Media
Introduction to Visual Arts
Marketing, Advertising, and Sales
Music Appreciation
Mythology and Folklore
Nutrition and Wellness
Physical Education
Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources A/B
Principles of Architecture and Construction A/B
Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance A/B
Principles of Education and Training A/B
Principles of Government and Public Administration A/B
Principles of Hospitality and Tourism A/B
Principles of Human Services A/B
Principles of Information Technology A/B
Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security A/B
Principles of Manufacturing A/B
Principles of Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics A/B
Professional Communications
Psychology
Sociology
World Religions

SCIENCE
Biology A/B
Chemistry A/B
Earth Science A and B
Environmental Science A and B
Physical Science A and B
Physics A/B
Introduction to Marine Biology
Introduction to Forensic Science
Integrated Physics and Chemistry A/B

SOCIAL STUDIES
Economics
U.S. Government
U.S. History A/B
World History and Geography A/B

WORLD LANGUAGE
Spanish 1 A/B
Spanish 2 A/B

Frequently Asked Questions About Standardized Testing

Frequently Asked Questions About Standardized Testing

Every year the DLS Counseling team receives a lot of questions regarding testing. Here are some of the common questions and answers.

Q: Should my son take the SAT or the ACT & which is preferred by the colleges?
A: Short answer is it does not matter which test you choose to take. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT or ACT is harder than the other. Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Since the start of the COVID pandemic, we are seeing more and more schools becoming test-optional or test blind when it comes to admissions. The best way to decide if taking the SAT, ACT, or both tests is right for you is to take a timed full-length practice test of each type. Since the content and style of the SAT and ACT are very similar, factors like how you handle time pressure and what types of questions you find most challenging can help you determine which test is a better fit. It is becoming more and more common for students to take both the SAT & ACT before their senior year.

Q: Do I really need to take the SAT or ACT? I hear that a lot of colleges are going test-optional, is it really that important?
A: It is true that more and more schools are going test-optional but a test score can still benefit you in the admissions process and when it comes to awarding merit-based scholarships. Some schools are going test-optional for the short term and some have permanently removed it as a criterion for admission. Whether you send the score or not, we still think it's a good idea to attempt it before the end of a student's 11th-grade year. We've heard from several schools that they are doing holistic reviews of student applications. They have said that while not submitting scores will not eliminate a student from consideration, they could potentially enhance their application with a submission of a strong ACT or SAT test. Especially for those highly selective test-optional schools. We know for a fact that some schools still use those scores to determine merit-based scholarship awards.

Q: How do I know which schools are test-optional?
A: The best thing to do is visit the admissions websites of the colleges that your son is interested in. They all have a page with undergraduate admissions requirements and will give a detailed list of what you need prior to submitting that application Fall of senior year.

Q: When should my son take the SAT or ACT?
A: We recommend that students take at least 1 test prior to the end of their 11th-grade year.

Q: Will my son take the SAT or ACT in school during their 11th-grade year?
A: No, we do not administer the SAT or ACT in school and we are not a national test site for the SAT or ACT. Students will have to register for these tests by visiting www.collegeboard.org (SAT) or www.act.org (ACT) and selecting a local test center in the Metro Detroit area. Don't worry, there are plenty. DLS does not participate in the State of Michigan in school testing that takes place during the spring of 11th-grade in the MI public schools.

Q: What standardized tests does my son take in school at DLS?
A: Every October our students take the PSAT suite of assessments. 9th graders take the PSAT 8/9 and the 10th & 11th graders take the PSAT/NMSQT. These are the only standardized assessments administered during a normal school day with the exception of AP exams in May.

Q: What is the PSAT/NMSQT and why is it important?
A: The PSAT is essentially a practice SAT. It follows the same format as the SAT and provides great feedback to students on how to improve for the SAT. NMSQT stands for National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. 11th graders take this test to determine eligibility for scholarships and other recognition through the National Merit Scholarship program. It is important because it is a scholarship test and students can earn some significant awards if they perform well.