Beverly Hills Unified Overhauls Student Counseling Programs

Beverly Hills Unified School District has launched a sweeping redesign of its counseling services, creating a single department that follows students from their first day of school through graduation.

Approved by the Board of Education on Sept. 9, the revamped program, led by Director of Counseling Kristi Bond, divides support into four age-specific branches: school counseling for transitional kindergarten through eighth grade, academic advisement for ninth and 10th graders, dedicated college counseling for juniors and seniors, and campus-wide wellness and mental health services.

“Our goal is to create a seamless roadmap of support that begins the moment a student enters BHUSD and continues until they walk across the graduation stage,” Bond said in a district statement.

Elementary and middle school counselors now focus on academic skills, social-emotional growth, and family collaboration. High school freshmen and sophomores receive individualized academic advising on course selection and intervention when needed. Juniors and seniors work with specialized college counselors on applications, scholarships, and financial aid, an effort the district says eliminates the need for many families to hire private consultants.

Every campus also has wellness counselors. Beverly Hills High School operates the NormanAid Wellness Center in partnership with the Maple Counseling Center, while Beverly Vista Middle School runs BulldogAid, a program tailored for middle-school students. Licensed marriage and family therapists and school psychologists are available district-wide.

The changes have already earned external recognition. On Sept. 1, every BHUSD school received Gold-level designation under California’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program for creating positive school climates. Beverly Hills High School also earned the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation from the American School Counselor Association, one of only 18 California high schools to hold the honor.

Board of Education President Rachelle Marcus called the restructuring a top priority.

“This transformation is about ensuring that every Beverly Hills student has the tools, support, and opportunities they need to excel, not just in school, but in life,” Marcus said. “We are proud of the progress already achieved and committed to continuing this investment in our students’ futures.”