Counseling Mission Statement

The mission of the Counseling Department is to build a comprehensive developmental counseling program addressing the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students. Programs developed by the Counseling Department will be driven by the unique ethnic, cultural, and economic diversity of the entire student population with the end goal of removing barriers to student learning and encouraging achievement at the highest level for each student. Through a partnership with students, educators, parents, and the community, the Counseling Department will prepare students academically and socially to be productive members and leaders of society.

ENROLLMENT 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR

Thank you for your interest in attending Independence High School, North Fulton County’s non-traditional school of choice. The instructional program of Independence is organized on a semester plan and employs a Blended Learning format to provide students with a flexible and supportive learning environment.

PRELIMINARY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS – Students who wish to attend Independence MUST:

1. Live within the Fulton County school district.

2. Be at least 16 years old.

3. Have completed at least one year of high school.

4. Not be currently placed under suspension or expulsion. - If your suspension/expulsion has ended you must return to your home school for at least 1 semester before enrolling at Independence.

5. Provide legal guardianship papers (if applicable)

6. Have a Composite Score of 3.5 or higher on the latest ACCESS test if classified as ELLs (whether active or waivered).

7. Attend an orientation/interview with an Independence High School Counselor. ENROLLMENT PROCESS: The Independence High School enrollment process involves several steps.

Potential Enrollment of existing Fulton County School Student enrolling at Independence High School.   Please follow the instructions below:

1. Please call your home school and ask them to email Ms. Szymendera, szymenderaB@fultonschools.org, a copy of your official transcript and 504 or IEP if applicable.
2. Complete Independence High School online application – go to https://bit.ly/IHSApp23-24.

Or you can go to   fultonschools.org/independencehs ( copy and paste the link into your browser)

2. 1. Select Academics
   2. Select Counseling
   3. Scroll down to Potential New student complete the online Application (click Application).  You will be redirected to the online application with 21 questions.

After we receive your online IHS application, Official Transcript and 504, IEP if applicable you will receive an email from Ms. Schenke with the next documents we need before attending our next mandatory orientation or individual meeting for students with an IEP.  Students under 18 must be accompanied by their parent or guardian.

 Please email all documents to Ms. Schenke, schenke@fultonschools.org  and Mrs. Szymendera szymenderaB@fultonschools.org.

Re-enrolling Independence High School withdrawn students.

To re-apply you will need to schedule a meeting prior to re-enrollment.  Contact Student Services at 470-254-7530 to schedule an appointment. 

New to Georgia Schools and Interested in enrolling – Complete Online Enrollment –www.fultonschools.org/enrollment Write down or copy your application number. 

1. Email your application number, transcript, 504 or IEP if applicable to Mrs. Szymendera, Head Counselor, szymenderab@fultonschools.org
2. Complete Independence High School online application, by going to https://bit.ly/IHSApp23-24.

In-system Transfer Instructions

This is for students who are currently attending a Fulton County School.  Click for Instructions

 TRANSCRIPTS AND RECORD REQUESTS

Click the link below to request Official transcripts or Student Record Request/Special Education records.

https://fultonga.scriborder.com/        

Potential New Student Enrollment Process:

1. Email our Head Counselor Ms. Szymendera, szymenderaB@fultonschools.org,  your most recent Official High School Transcript.
2. Complete Independence High Schools online Application.

After we receive your official transcript and the Independence High School online Application, you will receive an email from Ms. Schenke with the required documents.  Before a potential student and parent/legal guardian can attend our next mandatory orientation, we must have 2 proofs of residency.

It is very helpful to have all documents prior to orientation.  Documents can be emailed or faxed to Ms. Schenke, schenke@fultonschools.org or fax to 470-254-7621.

POTENTIAL STUDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN TO ATTEND A MANDATORY ORIENTATION.

Independence High School is not a home school but a school of choice.  Which means you must be accepted to attend Independence High School.

The mission of the Counseling Department is to build a comprehensive developmental counseling program addressing the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students. Programs developed by the Counseling Department will be driven by the unique ethnic, cultural, and economic diversity of the entire student population with the end goal of removing barriers to student learning and encouraging achievement at the highest level for each student. Through a partnership with students, educators, parents, and the community, the  Counseling Department will prepare students academically and socially to be productive members and leaders of society.