Counseling Team
Garnet-Patterson S.T.A.Y. | Student Support
Counseling Team
Your goals. Your pathway. Our support.
Our counselors help students plan for graduation, navigate challenges, stay engaged in learning, and prepare for college, careers, and life after high school. Wherever you are in your journey, we can help you identify your next step.
Here for every student
Attendance
Well-being
Achievement
Our focus
How the Counseling Team supports you
The Counseling Team focuses on three connected priorities: attendance, student well-being and behavior, and academic achievement.
01 Attendance
Stay connected to learning
Identify attendance barriers, build a plan for consistent participation, and stay on track to complete classes and earn graduation credits.
02 Well-being & behavior
Build skills for challenges
Strengthen resilience, conflict resolution, stress management, time management, and strategies for making positive decisions.
03 Achievement
Plan for graduation & beyond
Review credits and course progress, develop a graduation plan, and explore college, career, training, and other postsecondary pathways.
Students: start here
Three steps toward your next goal
01
Reach out
Email a counselor or ask the school office how to schedule a meeting.
02
Review your progress
Discuss your transcript, graduation credits, attendance, and any barriers to progress.
03
Choose a next step
Leave with a clear plan: a class to complete, a resource to use, or an appointment to follow up on.
Connect with us
Contact the Counseling Team
Contact one of the school counselors below for academic planning, graduation questions, college and career guidance, or student support. For counselor assignments and appointment availability, contact the main office.
School Counseling
Ms. Lekishia Stewart
Email: lekishia.stewart@k12.dc.gov
Request a Meeting →School Counseling
Ms. Claudia Cruz
Email: claudia.cruz@k12.dc.gov
Request a Meeting →School Counseling
Ms. Susan Gonzalez Roman
Email: susan.gonzalez@k12.dc.gov
Request a Meeting →When emailing, briefly say what you need help with. Avoid including sensitive personal details in an initial message.
Graduation readiness
Senior meetings & graduation planning
Students approaching graduation should check in with their counselor to confirm credits, course requirements, community service status, and plans for life after high school. Ask the team how to arrange your individual graduation review or senior meeting.
Transcript Information →Helpful links
Resources for your next step
Transcript requests
Learn how current or former students can request transcript information.
View transcript guidance →Community service
Understand eligible service, documentation, and hours toward graduation.
Explore service resources →Wellness supports
Find the school Social Emotional Learning Team and student wellness resources.
Explore wellness supports →College & career
Explore postsecondary planning and Career & Technical Education pathways.
Explore CTE pathways →Learn more about the role and services of counselors at DC Public Schools School Counseling ↗.
You belong here
Your next step matters. We are here to help.
Need help finding your counselor or arranging a meeting? Contact our school's main office.