Each student has an assigned counselor and access to social workers and a college counselor. The department offers programs and assistance relative to testing, academic program planning, post high school choices and academic progress. Diagnostic and supportive services are available to students with special needs.  Information on testing, financial aid, careers and college planning are available in the College and Career Resource Center.

Counselors assist students with course planning in freshman, sophomore and junior years. The Four-Year Plan is an academic course roadmap which a student, with assistance and direction from the counselor, develops to show which courses the student will take each year that s/he is at Deerfield.  Students will learn about course options and sequences through their current classroom teachers.  The students will also participate in a two day tour of the fine and applied arts classes.  Then, the counselor and student together, with help from the Advisor and the senior student Advisors, construct an individual Four Year Plan.  The 4-year plan will be shared with parents/guardians via Google Docs.

In sophomore and junior year, course selection and registration begins with the counselor meeting with his/her counselees in a group to discuss course options for the following year. Actual course registration takes place several days later.

Counselor involvement during course planning and registration establishes a solid foundation for the post-high school planning process in the junior and senior years.