Counseling Grades 9-12

Saint Monica Preparatory Upper School counselors work with students to create a positive high school experience. Our counseling team’s mission is to honor the whole student as they develop and grow, supporting their mind, body and spirit.

Counselors work to recognize students' personal academic journey, as well as their social-emotional needs to honor and support their unique Mariner spirit. Individualized academic programs guide students' academic and college pathway while preparing them to become stewards of Christ in our world.

By Year

Freshman Year

Newly admitted students and families meet one-on-one with Saint Monica Preparatory counselors before high school starts to create an individualized academic schedule. Counselors work with 9th graders individually through backward educational mapping to guide students to successfully meet their desired post-secondary goals. Students' self-awareness, self-efficacy and self-advocacy skills are supported so that they begin to lead college planning sessions when they transition to their college counselor junior year. Counselors also work in small groups, individually and alongside parents, to support freshmen as they begin project based learning, introduce the College Board and create the SMPREP Anchor File to begin documenting activities for college.

Sophomore Year

SMPREP counselors work with sophomores to maximize academic success and guide students to become involved in both schoolwide activities and their community. Counselors introduce Naviance and activity lists, while teaching time management strategies for academic success. Throughout sophomore year, counselors support students' academic schedules and social-emotional development as they adjust to their second year in high school. As sophomores explore their passions and challenge themselves academically, counselors encourage them to take on leadership roles in both the Mariner community and the greater community as a whole. Guiding students to become leaders, innovators and stewards of our community is a goal that the counselors continue to nurture throughout their time at SMPREP.

Junior Year

Academic counselors work with our junior students and families to explore course options and graduation requirements as they complete their upper level high school courses. Meetings happen individually, in small groups and with families. Beginning in January, college counselors begin the college navigation process that involves exploring and navigating classes, summer plans, internships, college application timelines, essays and mission statements.

Senior Year

Saint Monica Preparatory continues its student-centered program for senior year, guiding students to explore their passions and discover a university pathway that fits their individualized goals. Our Saint Monica prayer for each student is to listen to their inner compass and allow counselors to support their unique goals, educational ambitions and dreams while becoming global citizens to serve our world. We work to help students leave SMPREP finding the right college fit that supports their individualized education and career paths.

Academic and Other Support Services

Academic Support Services/Formal Educational Plans

Academic support services at Saint Monica Preparatory offer students with Learning Disabilities/ADHD the support they need to develop and grow academically, socially and emotionally. The Academic Support Coordinator/Counselor (ASC) will have an initial meeting with parents and student to create a Formal Educational Plan based on documentation stating diagnosis and recommended school/classroom accommodations. The ASC will have recommendations based on the individual student’s needs to help make the transition into a new school.

Throughout the year, the ASC meets with students for check-ins, communicates with and supports parents and teachers, and works with outside providers as needed. At the start of each academic year, the ASC will meet one-on-one with the student, and in small groups, to help the transition from summer to the school year.

SMPREP does not provide special education services, rather, monitors progress, suggests learning strategies and provides parents with resources in the community. The ASC is always available for confidential meetings.

Information regarding SAT and ACT testing accommodations will be provided for students and parents during the initial meeting.

SAT Exam – Consent Form

ACT Exam - consent form

Resources

Child Mind Institute: https://childmind.org/
Anxiety Depression Association of America: https://adaa.org/
ADDitude Inside the ADHD Mind - https://www.additudemag.com/
CHADD – Organization for Children and Adults with ADHD - https://chadd.org/
Understood – Website about Learning Disabilities - https://www.understood.org/en/articles/learning-disabilities-what-they-are-and-arent
Book: "Smart but Scattered Teens" by Richard Guare, Ph.D. and Peg Dawson, Ed.D.
Book: "Helping Your Child with Language-Based Learning Disabilities" by Daniel Franklin, Ph.D.

Personal Counseling

Short-term personal counseling is provided at Saint Monica Preparatory when significant personal issues impact the student’s social, emotional and academic growth. Students may be referred by teachers, administration, staff, parents and/or the student. Students that require long-term and more in-depth counseling will be referred to appropriate resources in the community.

(SMPREP does not guarantee outcome from outside resources or referrals given to parents, as parents will need to make their own decisions to use any referral given.)