Academic Counseling

Overview

Academic Guidance

Counselors provide support, resources, and guidance necessary to ensure academic success. through the following activities and services:

  • Orientation to St. Francis High School’s course offerings and graduation requirements;
  • Counselors meet with each student individually at least twice a year;
  • On-going monitoring of student’s fulfillment of graduation requirements and college entrance eligibility;
  • Facilitation of parent/teacher/student conferences if needed;
  • Referral to teacher support and peer tutoring;
  • Administration of national tests (PSAT, preACT, SAT, ACT, AP); Learn More
  • Training and advising through Naviance Family Connection.
  • For students with learning differences, the counselors partner with our Resource Specialist and, who will work with your student to provide academic support; Learn More
Questions? Contact Counseling & Wellness
News

Apply for Financial Aid for College

The FAFSA is open! Each student plus at least one parent/contributor must have a StudentAid.gov Account to file the FAFSA. Students and parent/s should check the financial aid deadlines for each college to which they are applying, and determine which documents must be submitted. Most colleges require the FAFSA, and some require an additional application such as the CSS Profile.

News

Wishing You a Blessed Christmas

The Counseling & College Center will be closed from December 21 through January 5. We all wish you the very best as you celebrate the holidays with your family and friends.

News

Naviance

Naviance is a fully integrated platform students can use to learn about themselves, careers, and colleges. Through assessments and interest inventories, students can create connections between their strengths and interests to possible majors and future careers. 

Freshmen were introduced to Naviance in our small group meetings. They can begin exploring Naviance and recording their activities in the Resume. They were given a temporary password to use to log on to Naviance and to create their own password. We will notify students who have not yet completed this task.

News

Mark Your Calendar for Late Start Class-Level Advisories & Parent Nights

All grade levels met with the Counselors and/or College Advisors during a late start in the fall for mandatory advisory sessions. Freshmen and Sophomores have one additional advisory meeting in January, and Juniors have two advisories – one in January and one in February. These sessions are critical as we will discuss course options for next year, the process for course registration, as well as focus on college-related topics for juniors. Please plan ahead to avoid conflicts, as these sessions are mandatory.

News

Small Group & Individual Meetings

We have completed our Freshman Minnie Mouse Club meetings (small group meetings). We enjoyed getting to know all of the Minnies!

We continue to meet individually with students of all grade levels. We review the importance of extracurricular activities, their assigned Naviance tasks, how to manage stress, academic resources on campus, and encourage them to begin exploring colleges.

News

Quarter Grades

The first quarter of the 2024-2025 school year ends on Friday, October 18. Teachers will submit grades to our Registrar and quarter report cards will be available for downloading from PowerSchool on October 29.

An official transcript only includes semester grades, not quarter grades. Quarter grades can, however, be used for CIF eligibility purposes.

News

Update from Counselors

We are looking forward to meeting our freshmen! We are beginning our Minnie Mouse Club meetings (freshman group meetings) this month. This format allows students to meet other students and allows us to give more details on what was shared at the advisory. Freshmen will receive a Google Calendar Invite to come to the Counseling and College Center during a free block or at lunchtime. Freshmen should get in the habit of checking their emails often.

We will also begin our individual check-ins with the sophomores and juniors. Mr. Poggi invites students individually to his appointments and Ms. Mok and Ms. Anderson will send a link so that students can schedule their appointments.

Post

Counseling Assignments
for the 2024-2025 School Year

Class of 2028 – Freshmen

  • Ms. Nora Anderson: Last Names A – Gon
  • Ms. Wendy Mok: Last Names Gre – Pat
  • Mr. Joe Poggi: Last Names Per – Z

Class of 2027 – Sophomores

  • Ms. Nora Anderson: Last Names A – Gon
  • Ms. Wendy Mok: Last Names Goo – Obe
  • Mr. Joe Poggi: Last Names Oli – Z

Class of 2026 – Juniors

  • Ms. Nora Anderson: Last Names A – Harc
  • Ms. Wendy Mok: Last Names Harr – Pal
  • Mr. Joe Poggi: Last Names Pan – Z

Class of 2025 – Seniors

  • Ms. Nora Anderson: Last Names A – Gri
  • Ms. Wendy Mok: Last Names Gut – O
  • Mr. Joe Poggi: Last Names P – Z

Class of 2025 College Advising Assignments

  • Ms. Debbie Austin: Last Names A – K
  • Ms. Naomi Lee: Last Names L – Z
Post

Revolution Prep e-Books

Revolution Prep has shared two eBooks that have a wonderful overview of the high school years. The book for 9th & 10th graders gives good insights into topics we already share with our students: academic planning, keys to academic success, and planning for college and beyond. The book for 11th & 12th grade focuses on academic rigor and grades, leadership opportunities, college applications and admissions, and testing.

Post Kathryn (Rotz) Dickson '96

Academic Support

Students who are struggling academically have several avenues of support, both on campus and off campus.

The first stop for support is with their teachers.  Teachers are often available at lunch and can meet during other times, as well.

On campus, students can schedule an appointment with a trained peer tutor in the Tutor Lab (located in the library).  A tutor is available at every block and can tutor in a variety of subjects.

Post

Student Daily Schedule Worksheet

The Guidance Department has implemented a tool to help students and parents determine the appropriate class load while preparing the upcoming school year’s course schedule. Each student is asked to complete the Student Daily Schedule Worksheet to assist her in evaluating her daily time commitments and requirements.