Lake County Gazette

Grayslake Community High School District 127 has introduced a dedicated college counseling program at both Grayslake North and Grayslake Central High Schools. The program aims to provide more individualized support for students as they prepare for life after graduation.

Previously, college advising was handled by generalist counselors who also managed other responsibilities. With the new initiative, each high school now has a full-time college counselor focused solely on helping students explore, prepare for, and apply to colleges.

The district developed this program in response to feedback from students and families who expressed a need for more personalized guidance during the college application process. Barry Goldman, formerly a generalist counselor at Grayslake Central, will now serve as the school's dedicated college counselor.

“No matter our role in D127, acting student-centered fuels our daily commitment," said longstanding Grayslake Central school counselor Barry Goldman, who is now stepping into the newly created role. "I applaud our students and the community for using their voice to advocate for more support. I’m so appreciative to the board and administration for listening and making this happen.”

The program's main goals are to ensure that students and families receive timely support as they prepare for college and to allow school counselors and social workers more time to focus on students’ social-emotional needs.

Jennifer Stroh will take on the role of college counselor at Grayslake North. She previously worked as a social worker and generalist counselor in District 127 before spending eight years focusing on college and career advising.

“This new program reflects exactly what we want for District 127—listening to our students and families, and then responding with solutions that put students first,” said Superintendent Dr. Mikkel Storaasli. “College and career planning can feel overwhelming, and our goal is to make sure every student leaves D127 feeling prepared and supported for whatever path they choose.”

All 2,500 students across both high schools will have access to these services. Juniors and seniors will receive targeted individual support such as essay workshops, one-on-one meetings, and application coaching; underclassmen will also be engaged through early exposure activities.

“Freshmen and sophomores may not be filling out applications yet, but they’re absolutely building their path,” Stroh added. “We're helping them think about their interests, their goals, and how to start exploring the world beyond high school. That early exposure is huge.”

The counselors plan programming tailored by grade level: broad programming for underclassmen, small group sessions for juniors, and individualized help for seniors.

“Every student is different, and every journey is different,” Stroh said. “Whether they’re the first in their family to apply to college or they’ve been dreaming of it since middle school, I want them to walk out of my office feeling confident. They should know what to do next, and where to go if they need help.”

Efforts are also underway to improve communication with families through newsletters, resources aimed at parents, and events held both virtually and in person.

“I thoroughly enjoyed making connections as a school counselor at GCHS. Students & families face complicated decisions as they evaluate post-secondary options beyond high school. At times, misinformation causes more confusion and stress. I’m excited to work with all our Rams as they plan for the future and strive to be accessible and responsive to their needs.”  

District officials believe this collaboration will significantly improve personalized planning support across its schools.

“At the end of the day, this is about better service and better support,” said Stroh. “We’re not just helping students get into college—we’re helping them figure out who they are and where they’re going.”

Grayslake Community High School District 127 includes both Grayslake Central High School and Grayslake North High School in Lake County (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district employs 195 teachers earning an average salary of $79,647 according to state data; nearly 60 percent are women (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student population is diverse: approximately 58 percent White, 25 percent Hispanic, seven percent Asian, four percent Black (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020 the district spent $31,874 per student (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).