Wanda L. Collins, M.EdGuidance Counselor
Student Services Team Leader
Anderson County Alternative School
805 East Whitner Street
Anderson, SC 29624
Telephone: 864-260-4888, Ext 105
Fax: 864-260-4004
E-mail: wandacollins@anderson5.net
Welcome to the Guidance Counselor’s webpage. I am Wanda Collins and I have been the Guidance Counselor at the school since the doors opened to the first students in September 1996—15 years ago! I have been in education for 40 years—as a teacher, a counselor and a district level administrator.
I graduated from Belton Honea Path High School and enrolled at Anderson University (Anderson College in 1968) for one year. I attended summer school and then transferred to Erskine College in Due West, SC. I earned my undergraduate degree in social studies in 1971 and began teaching at Belton Middle School. I had met one of my educational goals--graduating from college in 3 years! While teaching there, I set another goal of getting my Master's Degree in Education. I received my M.Ed degree from Clemson University in counseling. Eager to try my new skills, I took a guidance counselor position at Ware Shoals Junior High School. After a few years there, I was transferred to the District Office and became a program director for the early childhood program, guidance counselors, testing programs, Title I Federal program, etc.
In 1996, I heard about a new alternative school that was going to be opening in Anderson SC. I was excited about the possibilities of being in a program from its beginning and helping to create it along the way--I was hired to be guidance couselor and the rest is history......I can state without a doubt that my time at ACAS has been the most enjoyable and rewarding of all my educational experiences.
I graduated from Belton Honea Path High School and enrolled at Anderson University (Anderson College in 1968) for one year. I attended summer school and then transferred to Erskine College in Due West, SC. I earned my undergraduate degree in social studies in 1971 and began teaching at Belton Middle School. I had met one of my educational goals--graduating from college in 3 years! While teaching there, I set another goal of getting my Master's Degree in Education. I received my M.Ed degree from Clemson University in counseling. Eager to try my new skills, I took a guidance counselor position at Ware Shoals Junior High School. After a few years there, I was transferred to the District Office and became a program director for the early childhood program, guidance counselors, testing programs, Title I Federal program, etc.
In 1996, I heard about a new alternative school that was going to be opening in Anderson SC. I was excited about the possibilities of being in a program from its beginning and helping to create it along the way--I was hired to be guidance couselor and the rest is history......I can state without a doubt that my time at ACAS has been the most enjoyable and rewarding of all my educational experiences.
Some of my job responsibilities at the Alternative School includes:
* Serving as Team Leader to the Student Services Team
* Scheduling students from our 24 feeder schools to maximize their
opportunities at ACAS
opportunities at ACAS
* Meeting with students and/or parents for individual counseling or
group counseling
group counseling
* Coordinating with local agencies to set up programs in our school
* Referring students/families to appropriate agencies for assistance
* Maintaining grades/transcripts, etc.
* Testing—PASS for Middle School students
HSAP for selected High School students
End-Of-Course Exams for selected High School students
* Working with students to design a plan for High School Graduation
Please contact me if you have questions and/or concerns about your student’s progress, courses, etc. and I will be glad to assist you.
LISTED BELOW ARE IMPORTANT SECTIONS FROM OUR STUDENT AGENDA!
LISTED BELOW ARE IMPORTANT SECTIONS FROM OUR STUDENT AGENDA!
►RETURNING TO YOUR HOME SCHOOL◄
Before you can return to your home school, you must complete the time of your expulsion and/or court-order at the Alternative School. At the end of the semester or school year (whenever the home district says you can re-apply), the parent/custodian must contact the home district/school and ask that the student be re-admitted. The district will receive from the Alternative School, COPIES OF YOUR ATTENDANCE REPORT, ALL DISCIPLINE RECORDS AND REPORT CARD.
The district’s Board of Trustees and Superintendent and/or the school principal will review these reports and make a decision concerning the return of the student to the home school. They are expecting changes in behavior, solid academic performance, regular attendance and successful progress in Boot Camp. Some districts may request that the parent/custodian write a letter to the principal of the expelling school, asking that the student be re-admitted. The procedure for each district is different but should be outlined in the expulsion letter the district mails to the parent/custodian. STUDENTS WHO OWE FEES, UNIFORMS, BOOKS, ETC. TO ACAS AT THE TIME THEY CAN RE-APPLY TO THE HOME SCHOOL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RE-ENROLL UNTIL THE STUDENT HAS COMPLETELY CLEARED WITH ACAS.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS: At the end of the school year, a decision (promote or retain) concerning your grade placement will be made by the home school once your report card and attendance record have been reviewed.
CP students must earn one unit in a foreign language (most colleges require 2 units of same language). TP students must earn at least one unit in career and technology education.
►GRADING SCALE◄
All students, grades 6-12, will earn grades according to the following scale:
A=93-100 B=85-92 C=77-84
D=70-76 F=Below 70 I=Incomplete
NC=No Credit due to excessive absences WF=Withdrew Failing PC=Credit Given Prior Year
Grades from the home schools will be added to those earned at ACAS to get report card averages.
►GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS◄:
1. Earn the specified minimum 24 units of credit as outlined by law and
district policy
2. Pass all areas of the HSAP Exit Exam
3. Demonstrate “proficient” in computer literacy before graduation.
CP students must earn one unit in a foreign language (most colleges require 2 units of same language). TP students must earn at least one unit in career and technology education.
►EARNING HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS/SEAT HOUR REQUIREMENTS◄
To be eligible to earn a full credit(s) in EACH COURSE at the high school level, a student must accumulate a MINIMUM 120 seat hours, maintain passing grades, and complete his/her assignments/course requirements as determined by the instructor. A MINIMUM OF 60 hours are required for a half credit course, along with passing grades and completion of all assignments.
NovaNet, an on-line “computer-driven” instructional model, is used for selected students who have a genuine interest in getting caught up on courses they previously failed. The guidance counselor and teachers select candidates for this program.
Seat hours and grades for each course the student was taking at the time of expulsion/court order will be transferred from the student’s home school to ACAS.
Seat hours can only be earned if the student is at school, in class and working on assigned tasks. No seat hours are earned when a student is involved in disciplinary actions and/or is absent from school.
