Counseling
Ohio Virtual Academy Middle School Counseling Department
Personalized Support for Online Middle School
At Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA), an online, tuition-free public middle school by K12, students benefit from academic and social guidance from state-licensed counseling professionals during some of their most transformative years — 6–8th grade.
Why is counseling important for your middle school student?
OHVA School Counseling Mission Statement
The middle school (MS) counselors at OHVA are ready to support your 6–8th grader’s academic success as well as their personal and social well-being!
We collaborate with students and parents to deliver a data-informed counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model. We offer individual counseling, group counseling and classroom lessons, as well as support for Ohio’s College Credit Plus program and other growth opportunities.
OHVA School Counseling Vision Statement
We’re your advocates. MS counselors ensure that every student has equitable access to the resources, support, and opportunities needed to thrive.
Our counselors are passionate and engaged, and they work to create a safe, nurturing learning environment where students are inspired to reach their full potential, empowered to achieve academic success and personal growth, and will develop comprehensive career plans to achieve their goals.
Meet Your OHVA Middle School Counselors
What qualifications do OHVA middle school counselors have?
All OHVA middle school counselors must:
- Hold a master’s degree in school counseling (minimum level of education required)
- Meet state certification/licensure standards
- Fulfill continuing education requirements
- Uphold ASCA ethical and professional standards
Middle School Counselors by Student Last Name
How can OHVA counselors help my middle school student?
School counselors support the whole student and work closely with families to help learners feel confident, capable, and inspired!
Academics Support & Tutoring
If you’re struggling in your classes, we can help!
“Never doubt your ability — doubt your STRATEGY!“
- Keep in frequent communication with all teachers (email, phone, and live online class sessions)
- Attend all live online classes
- Complete all assignments, quizzes, and exams
- Attend National Honor Society (NHS) Peer Tutoring sessions on Fridays at 3 PM (ET).
- Attend or view monthly MS Counselor Corner sessions on topics such as Time Management & Organizational Skills, Managing Test Anxiety, Identifying Your Learning Style(s), and Developing Positive Study Habits/Skills.
- Reach out to school counselor(s) for extra support.
Academic Support and Training Resources
Khan Academy
EdX
PurpleMath
National Junior Honor Society
The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is a chapter of students designed to recognize academic accomplishments and grow in service, leadership, character, and citizenship.
Academic Eligibility for NJHS
To be academically eligible for NJHS, OHVA students need to have either all A’s in their core classes (ELA, History, Math, and Science) or all A’s and one B. Likewise, students must also complete grade-level assignments and be on track for attendance.
In early March, subject area teachers nominate their academically eligible students. Candidate forms are then provided for students to describe their understanding of the NJHS pillars: service, leadership, character, citizenship, and academics. Final NJHS selection is based on submission of the candidate form and review from the chapter’s faculty council.
Testing
State Testing Information for Middle School Students
Ohio Virtual Academy is a state-funded public charter school, and as such, students are required by the state of Ohio to participate in state testing. By accepting state funds for schooling, students and parents agree to participate in required state testing. This is agreed upon when enrollment takes place at Ohio Virtual Academy, as it is outlined in our enrollment materials, handbooks, and compacts. By breaking these agreed-upon contracts and refusing to participate in state testing, students can be withdrawn from OHVA and asked to return to their home school district by the Ohio Department of Education.
Which tests will be given for each grade level
End-of-Year/End-of-Course State Testing for 6–8th Grade Courses
Information for middle school students taking pre-high school credit and CCP courses may differ slightly. Please contact your school counselor for those questions.
Please email your advisor, teacher, and/or school counselor with any questions or concerns about your testing schedule. In the coming weeks, our testing administrator and/or teachers will be contacting students/families through email and phone regarding testing locations, times, and dates. If you need to test, we will contact you.
Testing Information for Middle School Students Taking Pre/Early High School Credit Courses
Middle school students taking pre-high school credit core courses or College Credit Plus (CCP) equivalent courses in: English 10, Algebra I, Geometry, U.S. History, Government, and/or Biology may and/or will (depending on circumstances) be asked to take the corresponding standardized End-of-Course (EOC) state exams associated with that subject for graduation points.
Don’t have a state identification card?
Does testing make you nervous? No worries! We can help!
Check out these awesome resources to help with testing anxiety:
Yoga stretches you can do anywhere
Fun, helpful tips on managing test anxiety
Tips for surviving standardized tests
Career & College Guidance for Middle Schoolers
It is never too early to learn about college and postsecondary options for your intended career field after high school! Check out the resources listed below to get started.
Resources for College-Bound Middle School Students & Families
- A Middle School Parent’s College Prep Guide | GreatSchools Parenting
Start planning for college in middle school. Here are seven steps your child and family should take to prepare for their future. - College Preparation in Middle School | ThoughtCo.
Find tips to set your middle schooler up for later success in high school and college. - College Sanity
Learn how to make informed college decisions with the College Admissions Knowledge Evaluation (CAKE) — an interactive assessment of college knowledge. - College Board
Access videos and articles with real answers from experts to help you plan your future.
Career Discovery & Exploration in Middle School
Has your middle school student started thinking about their future career? Are they really interested in one career and want to learn more? Or do they not have any clue what they might be interested in? No matter where they are now, we have resources to help your student plan their next steps.
Resources for Career Planning in Middle School
Create an account and a “backpack” to help middle school students explore their career interests and launch a career plan.
Find out how their strengths and interests relate to the world of work. The O*NET Interest Profiler helps students decide what kinds of careers they might want to explore.
View various videos on different career fields from engineering to plumbing.
Learn how to support your student as they plan for their future.
Learn more about each branch of the military and careers within the individual branches.
Explore career videos within 16 career clusters. Videos include career details such as work responsibilities and tasks, settings, education needs, and much more!
Social and Emotional Learning & Wellbeing
- Providing a caring space for students to talk through friendships, worries, grief, or big emotions
- Supporting students coping with trauma, community events, or personal loss
Group and Individual Support
In addition to individual student counseling, we provide group counseling and classroom lessons through Middle School (MS) Counselor Corner sessions!
Every year, we look to our students, parents, and staff of the incoming class to help define their needs and what they want the professional counselors at OHVA to address — topics in the past have included time management and organizational skills, managing test anxiety, identifying learning style(s), and developing positive study habits/skills.
Throughout the academic year, we hold monthly counseling lessons where we investigate the topics identified in our annual needs assessment survey. Please note that Learning Coach consent must be provided before a student participates in a group.
Transitions & Personal Growth
Transition to Middle School
5th to 6th Grade Transition Meeting
Each May, our MS Counselors hold a transition meeting for all 5th grade students and their Learning Coaches, sharing information about what changes to expect as they enter middle school as 6th graders.
View presentation slides from our May 2026 meeting.
Transition Resources from the Child Mind Institute
Transition to High School
High School Information for 8th Graders & Course Selection for 9th Graders
Attention 8th grade families: Please be sure to review our information guide below. This handy resource lists upcoming info sessions and discusses helpful topics and FAQs as students transition from middle school to high school.
Transition to High School Information Guide
Introduction to High School Meeting Recording
Transition to 9th Grade/h4>
During the session, we discussed graduation requirements, a typical 9th grade schedule, similarities and differences between the middle school and high school platform, and important upcoming course selection dates.
This session is for all 8th grade students as it covers the Ohio requirements for graduation.
Course Selection Sessions for Incoming 9th Graders
During this session, the school counselor will review the courses available to you at OHVA during your 9th grade year and how to select them. Session links will appear on the student’s Class Connect schedule. Make sure you have your school counselor course selected to see the invite.
If you are participating in pre-high school classes or the College Credit Plus program during your 8th grade year, you will be invited to a separate session. Make sure the 8th Grade Large Group course is selected on your calendar to see the invite.
These sessions are required for all students enrolled at OHVA for their first year of high school, grade 9. If you are undecided about attending OHVA next year, we encourage you to attend and submit a course selection survey so we can schedule the courses you want as one of your plans.