Guidance Program

Rooted in the mission of the Academy, the Guidance Department specifically addresses personal and academic growth, career and college awareness and the development of the whole person and her individual gifts. In doing so, the department assists the school community in preparing confident, independent women for a changing world. It is the goal of the Guidance Department that, supported by these varied services, the women of Saint Ursula Academy will realize their gifts and use their potential as they move, empowered, toward maturity.

The Guidance Department is affiliated with the following professional organizations:

American Counseling Association
American School Counselor Association
Greater Cincinnati Counseling Association
Ohio Association for College Admission Counseling
The Ohio Counseling Association
National Association of College Admission Counselors

Student Services Offered By the Guidance Department

Individual student counseling
Group guidance sessions by grade level
Academic advising for high school/college
Facilitation of the college application process
Consultation regarding scheduling classes
Peer tutoring
Saint Ursula contracts with individual mental health professionals to provide consultation and additional services on an as-needed basis.
A bereavement group is offered to students year-round for those suffering the loss of a loved one.
Administration of the EXPLORE, PLAN, PSAT, OGT and AP testing.
Use of Naviance (a college and career-readiness web-based program)
- Includes on-line personality test, college and scholarship information, resume builder, etc.
Career awareness programming

Programming for Students and Parents

Seniors and Parents College Application Workshop
Juniors and Parents College Planning Night
Educational Services Program Juniors and Parents College Night
Freshmen, Sophomore and Parents College Information Night
College Application Marathon for Seniors
College Financial Aid Night

Guidance Department Counselors

Freshmen and Sophomores last name beginning with:
A - K Ms. Caroline Renneker 513-961-3410 x212
L - Z Ms. Sara Utecht 513-961-3410 x127
Juniors and Seniors last name beginning with:
A -G Ms. Molly Roebker 513-961-3410 x188
H - M Ms. Cathy Sherrick 513-961-3410 x189
N - Z Ms. Lauren Williams 513-961-3410 x126

College and Career Guidance Offered By Grade Level

Freshmen

Activities for freshmen are geared toward the transition to high school, both academically and socially, as well as self awareness and stress management.

Freshmen students meet with their counselors once in the fall, once in the spring for scheduling, and additional appointments are scheduled as necessary.

The EXPLORE is also administered during the school day in the fall. This test is a benchmark for the PLAN test that students take their sophomore year.

Students are introduced to Naviance.

Sophomores

Sophomore students meet with their counselors once in the fall, once in the spring for scheduling, and additional appointments are scheduled as necessary.

The PSAT (Pre-SAT) and PLAN (Pre-ACT) are both administered to sophomores during the school day in the fall.

The administration of the required Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) occurs in March.

Components of Naviance are explored in depth and used to facilitate goal-setting as well as college and career planning.

Juniors

Juniors meet with college admission representatives. Private and public universities and colleges visit Saint Ursula from across the country.

The PSAT is offered to all juniors. This is the qualifying test for National Merit consideration.

Individual college planning conferences are offered in the spring to all juniors. One parent (preferably both) is encouraged to participate in this meeting.

Seniors

Seniors meet with college admission representatives throughout the fall semester.

Seniors meet frequently with their guidance counselors as they determine the colleges to which they will apply and the process required to do so.

All college applications are reviewed and processed by each studentâ€™s assigned guidance counselor.

Online Services

Naviance gives juniors and seniors access to the world's leading provider of computer-based college counseling support. This service allows students to see how their academic statistics compare to a nationwide pool of college applicants. Students can track the progress of their applications, set up campus visits, and access a wealth of information about choosing a college. St. Ursula Guidance Counselors use Naviance and its up to date information to manage advising data, communicate with students and families, and analyze data. Naviance coupled with EScripSafe will enable the sending of secure digital transcripts and recommendations with immediate e-mail notification once the document has been accepted by the receiving college or university.

St. Ursula Academy