Once a work-in-progress area, the counseling wing has finally set down its roots and established itself as a new home. 

     Previously, the counseling wing was isolated on the second floor, hidden behind Registrar Nora Birmingham’s desk area. Now, it has been relocated to the first floor, taking the place of classrooms 120 and 119. The majority of the counseling department staff has been united together in their new and improved offices. 

     Counseling aid Moon Lin ’25 stated, “In the new counseling wing, there’s a massive improvement. There are more seats for us to walk through the space as well as a more comforting vibe for the students as they walk in. I really enjoy this new counseling wing and I believe I can say this for many of the students.”

     Following the changes, the offices are bigger and more sound-proof than they were before and are side-by-side in a small hall inside the wing.

     Director of Counseling Melanie Aguas said that the school had already been considering newer facilities and spaces for the counselors to all be together because not all of the staff had permanent offices on the second floor. 

     Director of Facilities Andrew Colville said, “We were looking for a modern look combined with natural lighting topped off with counselor student privacy in a comfortable atmosphere.”

     Aguas said, “We try our best to ensure that it is as welcoming and inviting as it can be for students. So we do have friendly faces greeting them … it’s accessible to students but still isolated enough for privacy if they want to talk about confidential things.”

     Class of 2026 Counselor David Canales stated that he enjoyed the new space and its beautiful looks. He agreed that the new space brought the counselors together. Canales envisioned the counseling wing as a safe, comfortable, and accessible place for all students. 

     He said, “Those are the three things I want for students to feel when they come in, knowing that they are in a safe place. A place where they can go back to their baseline and find comfort, and that we are easy to find so that they’re not stressing out not knowing where to get help.”   

          With continuous support, the plans for the new counseling center were realized over time, and counselors are doing their best to personalize their rooms for comfort and safety.