Guidance
Guidance Counselor
Ms. Elizabeth O'Connor
(973) 538-3680 x173
oconnore@villawalsh.org
(973)538-6733 fax
The Guidance Department meets with students throughout the school year. Students are advised regarding study strategies, choices of activities, elective testing, course selection, career goals, and the college search and application process.
The college process begins when students take the PSAT during junior year. Counselors work closely with each student to determine her priorities in choosing a college, and identify safety, middle and reach schools. Discussion topics include financial aid, scholarships, NCAA athletics and college curriculum. By the end of junior year, each student has prepared a college essay, constructed an activities resumé, and attended a mock college interview.
PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of the Guidance Department mirrors the basic tenets of the
school's philosophy reflected in the document, "To Teach as Jesus Did."
Inherent in the guidance program are those Christian values and ideals which
hopefully will permeate the whole person's outlook on life. The general function
of the Guidance Department is to assist the student in obtaining the maximum
benefit from her high school experience in a college preparatory program. The
multi-faceted guidance program seeks to facilitate the process of growth in each
of its students, so that having acquired and integrated that knowledge of mind,
spirit, body and soul, the student is equipped to adapt to post-high school
experience in truth and with confidence.
GUIDANCE
Grades: 7 and 8
Prerequisites: None
Course Description:
Students meet with a guidance counselor during their regularly scheduled study halls throughout the school year. Students and counselors discuss time management, academics, extracurricular activities, and matriculation into the 9th grade.
GUIDANCE
Grade: 9
Prerequisites: None
Course Description:
Students meet with a guidance counselor during their regularly scheduled study halls throughout the school year. Students are acquainted with the purposes, format, and score report for the PSAT and SAT II subject tests. Students also are advised in regard to their involvement in and time management for extracurricular activities.
GUIDANCE
Grade: 10
Prerequisites: None
Course Description:
Students and counselors meet during study halls to discuss academic and vocational interests, standardized testing and test results, and course selection.
GUIDANCE
Grade: 11
Prerequisites: None
Course Description:
Students and counselors meet during study halls to discuss PSAT, SAT and SAT II tests, course selection, the college search, and college admissions. Students work with counselors to produce an appropriate list of colleges, a personal activities resume and a college essay. Relevant materials, which include a timetable for the admissions process, are distributed to students throughout the year.
GUIDANCE
Grade: 12
Prerequisites: None
Course Description:
Students and counselors meet during study halls throughout the college admissions process. Students are advised about deadlines, financial aid, and scholarship
opportunities. Counselors communicate regularly with college admission offices on behalf of the students. Representatives from over 30 colleges visit Villa Walsh Academy to meet with interested seniors every fall.