Counseling - St. Ignatius Current Families

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The image displays the text %22COUNSELING CENTER%22 and %22NATIUS COLLEGE PREP%22 in large, bold letters against a plain white background.

Welcome to the St. Ignatius Counseling Department

What is counseling at SI?

We believe every student deserves comprehensive support throughout their high school journey. Our counseling department is built on three interconnected pillars designed to nurture the whole student—academically, emotionally, and personally.

Personal & Academic Counselors (PAC) serve as a consistent guide from 9th grade through graduation. They get to know students as individuals, providing both social-emotional support and academic advising to help them navigate challenges, celebrate successes, and make the most of their high school experience. Students will meet both individually and in groups with their Personal & Academic Counselors throughout their time at SI.

Visit the Personal & Academic Counseling page.

College Counselors join each student's support team in the spring of sophomore year, working alongside them through graduation to guide them through every step of the college research and application process. They help students find the right fit and put their best foot forward as they prepare for life after high school.

Visit the College Counseling page.

Wellness Counselors Our team of four licensed mental health professionals are available whenever students need additional mental health support. They provide a safe, confidential space to address deeper concerns and develop healthy coping strategies.

Visit the Wellness Counseling page.

Together, we're here to support students every step of the way.

Quick Links

Counseling Information by Grade Level

Our students receive four years of developmentally appropriate college preparation guidance covering academic pathways, leadership development, and co-curricular exploration.

Frosh (Grade 9): Explore & Adjust

In grade 9, students are assigned to Personal and Academic Counselors who focus on:

Supporting students as they transition into high school, academically, personally, and socially
Helping students build strong study routines and time-management skills
Offering direction as students discover and engage with co-curricular opportunities
Linking students to appropriate resources to promote both academic success and social-emotional well-being

Sophomore (Grade 10): Self-discovery, Exploration, and Growth

Students continue working with Personal and Academic Counselors on:

Ongoing academic, personal and social emotional support
Recognizing emerging strengths and interests in both academics and co-curriculars
Seeking co-curricular activities that build on passions and encourage leadership
Choosing courses that align with long-term academic and personal goals

Spring of sophomore year, students are assigned a College Counselor. Building on the work Personal and Academic Counselors with students, students will learn and reflect on:

Self-discovery: interests, strengths, values, and learning styles
Exploration: meaningful extracurricular involvement, and initial conversations about academic and personal interests, exploring majors and career, without pressure to “lock in” a college path.
Build foundations: Introduce how colleges evaluate students, emphasizing curiosity, engagement, and growth.

Junior (Grade 11): Engage, Research, & Plan

In grade 11, students works more closely with their College Counselor to focus on:

Engage deeply: strengthen academic commitment, continue to pursue meaningful extracurricular involvement, and step into leadership aligned with interests.
Research intentionally: Learn how to research colleges effectively, explore a wide range of institutions, and understand factors such as academic fit, campus culture, and personal priorities.
Plan strategically: Develop a thoughtful testing plan (if applicable), refine course selection, identify potential summer opportunities, and begin mapping out the college application timeline ahead.

Students will continue to get support from Personal and Academic Counselors on:

Personal, social, and academic issues
Choosing courses that align with long-term academic and personal goals

Senior (Grade 12): Apply & Transition

In grade 12, students continue working with College Counselors on:

Apply thoughtfully: Finalize college lists, complete applications and essays, and manage deadlines.
Navigate decisions: Understand admissions outcomes, evaluate offers, financial aid, and fit, and receive guidance through waitlists, deferrals, and final enrollment decisions.
Transition with confidence: Prepare for the shift from high school to college through conversations about independence, self-advocacy, well-being, and next steps after graduation.

Students will continue to get support from Personal and Academic Counselors on: