Counseling Department Outcomes

A graduate of St. Ignatius has accepted primary responsibility for, and is open to growth as a person in all areas: academic, social, and spiritual. At the time of graduation St. Ignatius students will be able to:

develop an awareness of self in the educational setting with an emphasis on self understanding of abilities, limitations, and motivations.
develop a personal educational plan in which pursuit of further education is consistent with abilities, past achievement, interests and goals.
develop healthy and appropriate social relationships that reflect Ignatian values conscience, community and compassion
develop an appreciation of the nature and values of the communities in which they live and work and of their contribution as a responsible member of these communities (family, school, church or parish, neighborhood, city).
develop an awareness and appreciation of their own identity, values and self worth.

Grade Level Outcomes

Throughout high school, we have services available to our students to address their particular needs.

Academic:

On Campus - Academic Support Center, where all students may go to receive academic support. The counseling staff has worked closely with the Director of this program to send students in need of assistance as that need arises.
Peer tutoring is also generated from this office which counselors encourage students to try when appropriate.
Counselors also work with students to communicate their needs to their teachers and attend extra help sessions offered by individual academic departments.
Off Campus – Independent tutors are recommended by the counseling staff.

College:

All students are welcome to attend the information sessions offered by visiting college representatives. Theses meetings are typically held during lunch and before and after school so that all interested students may attend.
Each grade level parent night makes mention of the college process and attempts to help parents meet students where they are (developmentally).

Personal:

Individual meetings with students and their counselor are offered throughout high school. Counselors meet with students each semester and have an ‘open door’ policy which enables students/parents to request meetings as needed.
We have a Health Education Counselor who is available to students who need support with substance abuse issues.
Teachers/School Staff/Parents may also request that counselors see their students for any reason.

9th grade

Academic:

Develop an understanding of how high school academics differ from grammar school.
Develop the new skills necessary to accommodate class preparation, quality homework, and exam preparation.
Assume personal responsibility for classroom matters.
Understand the nature of future course selection and the level of achievement required for honors/AP courses.

College:

Gain an understanding of how freshmen grades count for college.
Gain an understanding of how colleges consider students and that colleges are seeking well rounded students and not simply academically achieving students, but students who demonstrate a commitment to their interests and make contributions to their community.

Personal:

Students recognize that freshmen year is a transitional year in which new friendships, connecting to the community, and managing family relationships may require new skill sets and moving beyond their comfort zones.

10th grade

Academic:

Ability to reflect on their academic work habits freshmen year and set goals for their 10th grade academic experience.
Counselors continue to reinforce the significance of grades in college admissions and how current grades will impact their college choices.

College:

Through both the administration of the PLAN and the distribution of the Sophomore College folder, students will be provided with an overview of the college systems, the academic expectations of the respective systems, and the importance of college admission testing.

Personal:

Develop and awareness of and insight into the social dynamics that surround them and are able to consider their role in these dynamics.
Ability to reflect on the quality of their friendships and relationships at a deeper level.
Recognizing their feelings and the impact their feelings have on their self-esteem, while acknowledging a level of responsibility in personal change and growth.

11th grade

Academic:

Become better adjusted to more rigorous coursework and more grounded academically.
Able to better identify their personal academic strengths and weaknesses and can better maximize resources available to them (self initiating tutoring, utilizing office hours, etc).
Able to select senior year courses that reflect both their college goals and their academic interests.

College:

Juniors learn about standardized testing options and prepare a schedule suitable to their individual needs.
Juniors will meet with their counselor individually to identify aspects of the college process that are important to them thus tailoring basic information into more specific suggestions (initial college list) for their review and use.
Finding the Right Fit for each individual student is our ultimate goal. The use of additional resources such as internet research, Family Connection and utilizing college guides for more information is also encouraged.

Relevant events/opportunities available to juniors include:

Individual College Meeting with counselor

Initial College List/Packet of Information is created

Case Studies
College Night – several different speakers in a workshop format.
Junior Parent Night (Fall)
Meeting Periods in group setting with counselor to address:

Standardized Testing
Getting Started with the College Process
Useful tools for the College Search (Family Connection)

Personal:

Successfully navigate their school lives with thought to the social changes typically experienced at this level.
Strengthening established friendships and discerning between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Learning to communicate with the adults in their lives at their new level of maturity; particularly parents.
Understanding the importance of personal responsibility.

12th grade

Academic:

Demonstrate focus by maintaining academic consistency and continuing in pursuit of academic success through graduation.
Continue to seek out opportunities for academic growth.

College:

Seniors will finalize their college list and complete their application process.
Navigate the necessary paperwork involved in applying to college.
Learn about their options regarding the differing types of college admission plans and make informed decisions.
Seniors will make a final college choice pertaining to their post graduate plans (May 1).

Relevant events/opportunities available to seniors/parents include:

(2) Meeting Periods with Seniors/Counselors in a group setting in the Fall
UC Personal Statement Workshop
UC Evening to Present Individual Campuses
Financial Aid Night - parents
Senior Parent Night
College Rep Visits – ongoing in the Fall - students
Transition to College Night (Spring) - parents
UC/CSU Application Workshop
Financial Aid Workshop for students (January)

Personal:

Attention is given to students by the counselors in the following areas in individual meetings with students as they navigate the application process.

Transition to College/separating from the familiar high school setting.
Handling friendships as they change and students prepare to move on post graduation
Dealing with the stress of academic, social, personal and the college application process, particularly in the Fall.
Decision making at the end of the college process as it may pertain to familial/personal needs.