Guidance Program

The Guidance Department specifically addresses personal and academic growth, career and college awareness, and the development of the whole person and her individual gifts. Each student is assigned to one of four full-time counselors who will work with her throughout her attendance providing caring and consistent support as she plans her future.

Guidance counselors assist students in course selection and academic planning for college in individual sessions, group sessions, and through counselor consultation with teachers and parents.
Support students’ social and emotional development, through individual meetings, initiated by the counselor or student, take place as needed to discuss academic or personal concerns.
The group guidance program allows the counselors to provide programs that address issues and concerns specific to each grade level. Developmental, academic and college oriented programs are provided through panels, outside speakers, and guidance presentations.

Guidance Department Counselors

Freshmen (class of 2014) and Sophomores (class 0f 2013) last name beginning with:

A - K Ms. Caroline Caples
L - Z Ms. Sara Utecht

Juniors (class of 2012) and Seniors (class 0f 2011) last name beginning with:

Guidance Department

Reviews and processes all college applications
Provides information on college scholarships and financial aid
Conducts on-campus college fairs
Arranges opportunities for students to meet college admissions representatives on campus
Sponsors peer mentoring program for identified freshmen
Distributes tutoring information both peer and adult
Organizes Job-Shadowing Program for juniors
Produces College Search Manual and Junior Packet

Freshman Year: The freshman guidance sessions focus on the transition to high school, both academically and socially, as well as self-awareness and stress management. College information is introduced and discussed.

Sophomore Year: The sophomore guidance sessions are geared toward self-awareness and career exploration. An on-line personality test using the Naviance program is utilized at the sophomore level to assess students’ interests and abilities and begins to match then to appropriate career areas for further study and research.

Junior Year: The junior guidance sessions focus on planning for college including PSAT, SAT & ACT test information, the college search process, the college application process, and other related topics. Parents of juniors are offered the opportunity to sit down with their daughter and her counselor to individually discuss college planning in the spring of the junior year.

Senior Year: The college counseling program provides individual assistance by assessing the needs and aspirations of each student and to identify the colleges or universities which best suits that student’s talents, strengths and needs. Throughout the senior year, group sessions cover timely topics from application essays to transitioning to college. Click here for Senior Timeline

Online Services

Naviance gives juniors and seniors access ti 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.