Academic & College Counseling

Academic Counselors provide transitional support for 6th graders, engaging them throughout the year in social skills training, life skills activities, and leadership development opportunities.

Academic Counselors encourage students to notice and wonder about the communities in which they live. Students learn to utlilize God-given gifts in order to find new and creative ways to love one’s neighbor.

Academic and College Counselors meet with 8th grade students and parents to provide counsel and direction and to develop a four-year plan of studies that leads to a high school diploma. Students begin the process of self-discovery as it pertains to college and career, taking the Career Key Assessment and using the results to explore a variety of career information, related majors, and pertinent college search activities.

During the 9th grade year, freshman build their four-year course plan in Naviance and engage in the following activities:

• Complete a Learning Styles Inventory
• Review Learning Styles results with small, counselor-led group
• Consider individual learning preferences that can facilitate successful academic progress
• Begin resume building and engage in self-growth opportunities

In 10th grade, students become increasingly purposeful in exploring their strengths and interests by engaging in the following activities:

• Take Strengths Explorer on Naviance
• Review results with an Academic and College Counselor to affirm strengths and to identify potential blind spots
• Take the PSAT (Pre-SAT) and Aspire (Pre-ACT) in the fall (administered at CCS)
• Continue to build resume list of 9th and 10th grade activities
• Visit with several of the nearly 100 college representatives that visit CCS each year

Eleventh grade students are given ample opportunity to continue in purposeful self-discovery while learning how to navigate the college and career planning process. They:

• Complete the Career Interest Profiler
• Complete the Do What You Are assessment (Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory) and follow-up with an Academic and College Counselor to review results
• Continue discussions with Academic and College Counselors and faculty about academic strengths, co-curricular activities, and personal attributes
• Take the ACT and/or SAT
• Meet with the College Counselor to review student transcript, discuss college search plan, and confer regarding the specifics of the application process
• Pursue volunteer, shadowing, or work experiences
• Visit and research colleges
• Meet with several of the nearly 100 college representatives who visit CCS each year

It is not uncommon for seniors to experience a myriad of emotions in response to impending changes. CCS College Counselors provide a framework for a smooth application process with the hope of minimizing seniors’ (and parents’) anxiety about the process. Seniors:

• Begin the application process in the summer before senior year, noting deadlines, narrowing choices, becoming familiar with application checklists, and writing essays
• Discuss details of the college application process with the College Counselor
• Request letters of recommendation (if required) by September 1
• Aim to complete all college applications by October 15
• Become familiar with and meet the various scholarship application deadlines
• Submit the FAFSA between October 1 and January 15