Welcome to Middle School!

Entering into sixth grade and meeting a new group of classmates and teachers is a brand new experience for all of our youngest Eagles. A Middle School counselor is assigned to each sixth grader when they enter St. John's Prep and is dedicated to supporting students' academic, social, and emotional development during these formative years.

The counseling program offers a range of services, both in individual and group settings, to address personal challenges and promote well-being. Counselors collaborate closely with teachers, parents, the Center for Learning and Academic Success, and administrators to create a nurturing environment that fosters growth in our youngest Eagles. Through various groups and activities, the counseling team equips students with essential life skills like decision-making, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication, all to prepare students for future success while helping them learn more about what makes them unique.

Welcome to High School!

Moving up to freshman year is big transition, one which can be both exciting and present challenges. Over the course of a student's first year in the High School, their assigned counselor will reach out to kick off this four year relationship, one which will last until graduation day.

Topics covered over the course of ninth grade, both on an individual basis and in group guidance sessions are: making the transition to a new school, planning a four year academic program, getting involved in co-curricular activities, learning tolerance and acceptance, practicing stress management and coping techniques, and understanding the PSAT 9.

As students move into their sophomore year, they'll begin to dive deeper into the work of discovering who they are and who they want to become. With their counselor and in group guidance sessions, they'll cover topics like self-evaluation, understanding aptitude vs. achievement, using Naviance/Family Connection to search online for career and college information, develop an understanding of the PSAT and other standardized tests, and learn how to foster healthy relationships. 

Junior year is a big one in the world of preparing for the college search and discernment process. Starting early in the year, counselors will meet with their students to plan the college search process, help students navigate college websites and locate admission information, guide them on how to write an effective resumé, create potential lists of colleges for families to consider, strategize on application timing and test taking, and guide them to financial aid resources.

Four years of hard work is paying off. Counselors' goal is to keep the college admission process as simple and understandable as possible for students and their families, and above all, to ensure that students land at the school that is the best fit for them. 

Over the course of early fall, counselors and students will evaluate application timing, discern college lists to ensure balance, assist with applications, discuss essay topics and possible majors all with an eye towards meeting deadlines, prepare the actual applications, review college degree requirements, and look at possible majors or other interests. 

When decisions begin rolling in, counselors are also there to support students if they need help discerning which college is the best fit for them. 

Once the decision is made, there is a bittersweet and reflective time period where counselor and counselee reflect on all the incredible growth that has happened over the past four years. From the first time a student sat in their counselor's office as a freshman to their last visit as a senior, an incredible relationship has been forged over the course of four years. We think that's something worth celebrating.