All elemantary school counselors in Loudoun county are required to teach the following objectives from the three major domains: academic development, career development and personal/social development from the "Standards for School Counseling Program in Virginia Public Schools."  

KINDERGARTEN

Academic

• Understand the expectations of the educational environment
• Understand that mistakes are essential to the learning process
• Use appropriate communication skills to ask for help when needed
• Work cooperatively in small and large groups toward a common goal

Career

• Demonstrate goal setting

Personal/Social

• Demonstrate good manners and respectful behavior toward others
• Demonstrate self-discipline and self-reliance

FIRST GRADE

Academic

• Understand the importance of individual effort, hard work and persistence
• Understand that mistakes are essential to the learning process
• Use appropriate communication skills to ask for help when needed
• Work independently to achieve academic success
• Work cooperatively in small and large groups toward a common goal

Career

• Understand the concept of job and career
• Understand the importance of teamwork in working toward a common goal

Personal/Social

• Understand how to make and keep friends and work cooperatively with others
• Demonstrate self-discipline and self-reliance
• Identify resource people in the school and community and understand how to seek their help

SECOND GRADE

Academic

• Demonstrate individual initiative and a positive interest in learning
• Use appropriate communication skills to ask for help when needed
• Work independently to achieve academic success
• Work cooperatively in small and large groups toward a common goal

Career

• Understand that behaviors such as punctuality, courtesy, proper dress and proper language are essential to current and future successes

Personal/Social

• Exhibit the principles of character including honesty, trustworthiness, respect for the rights and property of others, respect for rules and laws, taking responsibility for one's own actions, fairness, caring and citizenship
• Demonstrate self-discipline and self-reliance

THIRD GRADE

Academic

• Understand the relationship of academic achievement to current and future success in school 
• Understand that mistakes are essential in the learning process
• Use appropriate communication skills to ask for help when needed
• Work independently to achieve academic success
• Work cooperatively in small and large groups toward a common goal 
•  Use study skills and test-taking strategies

Career

• Understand the relationship of individual effort, hard work and persistence to achievement
• Demonstrate the decision making process

Personal/Social

• Understand that Americans are one people of many diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and national origins who are united as American by common customs and traditions
• Understand the importance of short term and long term goals

FOURTH GRADE

Academic

• Demonstrate time management and organizational skills
• Apply study skills necessary for academic achievement 
  Use critical thinking skills and test-taking strategies

Career

• Recognize the benefits of both individual initiative and teamwork
• Recognize that the changing workplace requires lifelong learning
• Identify hobbies and interests

Personal/Social

• Understand decision making and problem solving strategies
• Use strategies for handling conflict in a peaceful way

FIFTH GRADE

Academic

• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses related to learning
• Use critical thinking skills and test-taking strategies
• Understand the choices, options and requirements of the middle school environment

Career

• Recognize that the changing workplace requires lifelong learning
• Identify career choices through exploration

Personal/Social

• Understand change as part of growth
• Use strategies for managing peer pressure
• Use strategies for handling conflict in a peaceful way