School Counseling Center

Preparation and practice is the key to success. We begin preparing our students for graduation and college entrance exams early. With plenty of support and encouragement, we challenge our students to recognize and capitalize on their unique strengths and talents—so they feel confident and comfortable when it counts.

About Our School Counselor

Mrs. Rachel Minard has been our senior high school counselor since August 2000. She is a firm believer that the role of the professional school counselor is to help all students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development, and career development in order to be prepared for life beyond high school.

Mrs. Minard is the school district transition coordinator for students with IEPs, the NOCTI test coordinator, and the PSAT/SAT/ACT test supervisor. She is also a member of the Student Assistance Program (SAP).

In order to keep current with educational reform and challenges facing today’s student, Mrs. Minard participates in ongoing professional development and maintains professional memberships in the following organizations:

American School Counselors Association (ASCA)
Pennsylvania School Counselors Association (PSCA)
National Career Development Association (NCDA)
Pennsylvania College Admissions Counseling Association (PACAC)

She earned her GCDF (Global Career Development Facilitator) certification in 2011. The GCDF is a career development facilitation certification developed jointly by CCE, the National Career Development Association, and the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee. The U.S. certification program was developed in 1997 and is the first of the GCDF programs. The GCDF, which includes 12 career competency areas, has been adapted for use in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, China, Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria, Korea, and Germany.

Mrs. Minard holds the following additional academic degrees and certifications:

Advanced Certification in School Counseling, St. Bonaventure University (1999)
MS.Ed. in community counseling, St. Bonaventure University (1998)
BA in criminal justice, Edinboro University (1994)
Educational Specialist II (school counselor), the state of Pennsylvania

Mrs. Minard currently resides in Bradford with her husband, Rick and son, Quentin. She loves to read, take walks, and cook on the grill. Even though Mrs. Minard did not grow up in Potter County, she has family ties to this area that go back generations.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Coudersport High School graduation diploma, students must complete the following units of study and earn the required credits.

General Requirements

English 9, 10, 11, 12 (4 credits)
Social Studies/Government (4 credits)
Science (4 credits)
Math (4 credits)
Health 9, 11 (1 credit)
Physical Education (2 credits)
Electives (7 credits)
Total: 26 credits

Career & Technical School Requirements

English 9, 10, 11, 12 (4 credits)
Social Studies/Government (2 credits)
Science (3 credits)
Math (3 credits)
Health 9, 11 (1 credit)
Physical Education (2 credits)
CTC (9 credits)
Total: 24 credits

Find out more about our Career & Technical Center (CTC).

Graduation Project

Every student will choose a project to complete before graduation. Students may select from the following two areas of interest:

Career
Community Service

To fulfill this graduation requirement, every student meets with and receives guidance from an assigned faculty advisor.

NCAA & College Bound Students

Student athletes should meet with the school counselor every year to plan their high school schedule. Students must meet certain academic requirements, including core courses, grade point averages, and SAT and ACT scores for initial eligibility.

Schedule Changes

We will permit students who desire to drop or add a class prior to the beginning of each school year, after the initial spring scheduling, and under the following conditions:

The student still maintains the required hours of class per week.
The student provides a justifiable reason for the change.
Parental consent exists.
Class membership warrants the change.
Class period creates no conflict.
The ability of the student to add the course is warranted.
The student obtains approval from the teacher and administration to audit a course.

Please discuss schedule changes with the school counselor.

Student Assistance Program

Are you experiencing:

Loneliness
Tension at home
Depression
Parental pressure
Hopelessness
Control by drugs or alcohol
Isolation
Confusion about sexuality
Inadequacy
Stress
Overwhelming school pressure
Inability to cope
Peer pressure
Frequent Absences

It’s not just you. There is help! Our Student Assistance Program attempts to identify, intervene, refer, and follow up with students who experience difficulty at school due to addiction, mental health, home life, or other problem behaviors. We do not attempt to diagnose or treat students with these problems, but rather, we seek to help students and provide intervention through appropriate referrals and follow-up. Of course, all referrals remain confidential.

You can learn more about this program from PA Network for Student Assistance Services (PNSAS).

Local Scholarships

Inez Bull Piano Scholarship

Dr. Inez Stewart Bull was a woman of many interests and talents. Chief among her passions were music, music education, and Norwegian-American relations, revolving primarily around her distant cousin, the world-famous violinist, Ole Bull.

Amount: Approximately $2,000 - Determined Annually
Eligibility: Potter, Tioga, Elk, McKean, Cameron, and Clinton Counties - High School and Non-Traditional
Categories: Piano and Music
Applicants must graduate from Potter, Tioga, Elk, McKean, Cameron, or Clinton counties.
Applicants must be pursuing a degree in the music field from any accredited college with a music department.
Preference is given to piano majors, but other music majors will be eligible.
Preference is given to students who played in the Ole Bull Music Festival and/or the summer awards concert in New York City.
Financial need is important criteria.
Due: March 1, 2021

Ole Bull Violin Scholarship

Amount: Approximately $2,000 - Determined Annually
Eligibility: Potter, Tioga, Elk, McKean, Cameron, and Clinton Counties - Graduating Seniors and Non-Traditional Students
Categories: Violin and Music
Applicants must graduate from Potter, Tioga, Elk, McKean, Cameron, or Clinton counties.
Applicants must be pursuing a degree in the music field from any accredited college with a music department.
Preference is given to violin majors, but other music majors will be eligible.
Financial need is important criteria.
Due: March 1, 2021

The Mason Scholarship – Eulalia Lodge #343 F & AM

The Eulalia Lodge #343 F & AM has provided this scholarship for years. This scholarship helps, encourages, and supports the sons, daughters, and grandchildren of Mason members who are attending post-secondary education programs. The Eulalia Lodge funds this scholarship with their annual lobster dinner and other fundraisers.

Amount: $500 - Determined Annually
Eligibility: Coudersport High School
Category: General
Due: March 1, 2021

Gene “Toots” Staiger Scholarship

Gene “Toots” Staiger was a 1965 graduate of Coudersport Area High School. Mr. Staiger was very active in high school and in his community. His career and volunteer involvement saw him as a teacher, member, and president of the Borough Council. He was involved in the Jaycees, fire department, ambulance services, and served as executive director of the McKean County Assistance Office. He established this perpetual scholarship to give back to the community and current students by providing support that will educate Coudersport’s future leaders. A candidate for this scholarship must be a graduate from Coudersport High School and accepted into a post-secondary program in the state of Pennsylvania. Selection is not based on grade point average, but on someone who works hard, has proven to be successful, and is active in their community.

Amount: Minimum of $500 - Determined Annually
Eligibility: Coudersport High School
Category: General
Applicant must be a graduating senior from Coudersport High School.
Applicant must be accepted into a post-secondary program in the state of Pennsylvania.
Selection is based on the qualities of someone who works hard, has proven to be successful, and who is active in their community.
Due: March 1, 2021