School Counseling
School counselors support students in every way, from adjusting to a new environment, choosing courses and colleges, and at the core—helping them discover who they are called to be as people.
Our school counselors work closely with students to help them develop the skills they need to thrive personally, succeed academically, and make good decisions about their futures. School counselors are an important part of each student's life at the Prep.
In our Middle School, students stay with the same counselor through grades 6, 7, and 8. This means that counselors can get to know their students well, encouraging each one to develop his own unique gifts and talents.
In the same way, students work with their High School counselor for four years. The relationships the counselors develop will help guide students from the beginning of freshman year through the college application process. School counselors work with students in a variety of ways, from individual meetings to group guidance sessions tailored for each grade level.
Middle School Counseling
Group Counseling
Middle School counselors take part in programming during class meetings, while High School counselors host special group guidance sessions alongside faculty advisors. Topics for these class meetings and group sessions can include the power of positive affirmations, making the transition to high school, personal wellness, leadership, multiculturalism and diversity, and more.
Social Emotional Wellness
The School Counseling team at St. John's Prep includes two counselors who work with students on a one-on-one basis, specifically regarding their social and emotional wellness. Without a typical caseload of students, they are able to accommodate students with specific needs or concerns and help give specialized guidance and care. Both of our social-emotional wellness counselors are licensed social workers.
Middle School Eagle Café
Open to all Middle School students, Eagle Café (grade 6) and Eagle Lounge (grades 7 and 8) provide a space for students to have lunch in the Student Center and connect with classmates in a small group setting. "Open Mic" Eagle Cafés provide casual social opportunities for students while guest speakers from around campus bring to life a variety of topics like art, travel, finance, sports, and the environment, just to name a few!
Meet Dusty!
Dusty joined the School Counseling team in 2023 as the School's first facility comfort dog. Dusty accompanies his owner and handler, High School counselor Melanie Paresi, to school each day, where he can be found giving additional support to students, visiting the Middle School, attending campus events, or sometimes taking a well-deserved nap in the sunny spot in Ms. Paresi's office.
College Matriculation
Graduates of St. John's Prep go on to a diverse range of top colleges and universities every year, reflecting the depth and breadth of their interests, and our philosophy of helping students find the college that is right for them.
Ninety-nine percent of St. John's graduates go on to four-year colleges and universities every year. These are the colleges and universities our graduates have attended in the last five years.
In Partnership with Parents
Because they play a foundational role in every student's education, parents of all students are offered programs throughout the year. These programs focus on a wide range of topics, from nurturing student potential to helping build a foundation for academic success and finding the right college. The School Counseling offices provide students with a place to check in, touch base, and use online resources with counseling staff nearby to help.
Parent and Guardian Nights
Each year, the School Counseling team hosts events for parents and guardians by grade level. Counselors will cover topics like making friends during freshman year, developing social-emotional awareness sophomore year, understanding the current college landscape during junior year, and preparing for college life and beyond during senior year.
Webinars
School counselors will host periodic webinars that cover special topics like checking in halfway through Middle School, the High School course request process, or the role athletics can play in the college search and admissions journey.
Digital Resources
All parents and guardians have access to a wealth of online resources regarding financial aid in college, planning checklists, scholarship guides, parent night presentations, information about standardized testing, and more.
Community of Concern
The St. John's Prep Community of Concern is based on a successful model used at private schools across the nation to help prevent the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by our students. Sharing resources with other private schools, the group focuses on parent and staff education, as well as peer support and curriculum development, including:
Student Assistance Program
The Student Assistance Program (SAP) team helps students deal with issues regarding mental health, alcohol and/or drug use/abuse. The team provides a support system and referral service to help students develop an understanding of themselves, their inherent dignity, and the need to accept responsibility for their actions.
Education Programs Committee
This group coordinates curriculum and educational programs for the entire school community, including parents, faculty and students.
Peer Leadership Program
This group helps to develop peer leaders who work in coordination with the Education Programs Group to implement educational initiatives.
Meet the School Counseling Team
My Doan
School Counselor, Gr. 9-12
Conor Dowley
Director of School Counseling
Declan Foley
Class of 2011
School Counselor, Gr. 9-12
Kayla Howland
School Counselor for Social/Emotional Wellness
Christine Lahiff
School Counseling Dept. Coordinator
Elizabeth Liwo
School Counselor, Gr. 6-8
Katherine Moore
School Counselor, Gr. 6-8
Rebecca Nazzaro
School Counselor
James Niesuchouski
School Counselor for Social-Emotional Wellness
Melanie Paresi
School Counselor, Gr. 9-12
Meagan Putney
Guidance Counselor
Nancy Sacco
School Counselor, Gr. 9-12
Joan Spencer
School Counseling Department Coordinator
Karen Stearns
School Counselor