Counseling Services

St. Rita of Cascia High school strives to offer a comprehensive school counseling program designed to prepare our students academically, spiritually, personally/socially, and in their future planning for their life beyond high school. Using a blend of personal meetings and classroom lessons combined with the latest technology, web-based tools and inventories, our students are challenged to grow into young men ready to succeed.

Freshmen Year: The St. Rita High School Counseling Department is here to guide our incoming freshmen in the areas of academic, personal and social/emotional development. The Counseling Department is looking forward to working with all freshmen students as they transition to high school. This is the year to establish a strong academic foundation as well as getting involved with extracurricular activities which will help build long lasting friendships. The counselors will help to support students with study skills and time management as well as helping them strive towards independence and accountability in and out of the classroom. 

Sophomore Year: During the sophomore year, students will begin using the post-secondary planning website, Naviance Student, to help guide their future curriculum choices as well as college and career planning. The main focus of the sophomore year should be for students to successfully complete their courses and improve or build upon their freshmen year GPA. Also continuing involvement in extracurricular activities, service and beginning career exploration. One of the most significant factors in college admissions is performance in a student’s college prep and advanced courses.  Counselors will help assist students in planning their junior year courses to fit with colleges or careers they may be interested in pursuing after graduation.  

Junior Year: Junior year is one of the most pivotal when it comes to college planning. All juniors should take a college placement test (ACT or SAT) in late winter or early spring of their junior year. The Counseling Department highly recommends participating in a test preparation course or program. Juniors are also given the option to take the PSAT/NMSQT exam in October for a chance to qualify as a National Merit Scholar. Counselors will continue to develop application strategies and timelines with juniors as they begin to identify potential college choices while providing opportunities for career exploration to those not pursuing a four-year college. Attending college visits and job shadowing are ways to assist these decisions. The junior year grades are the last thing that will be included on a student's transcript prior to applying for colleges in the fall of their senior year, so it is very important for students to perform well in all of their courses.  

Senior Year: Senior year is the year for students to determine their future and after high school plans. Counselors will assist each student with all aspects of applying to college, career plans and scholarship opportunities. They will help with the tedious college application process and assist each student in determining the right college fit. It is important that seniors continue to work hard academically in both semesters in the senior year. Significant involvement is still important.

Overall counselors will:

• Meet with students 1:1 the first semester of the school year to gain that student counselor relationship, review academic requirements, and identify important people/places in the building in the freshmen year and maintain this throughout the four years.

• Review with students how to get involved in extracurricular activities and begin to guide students in identifying areas of interest in student life opportunities in the freshmen year and continuing this conversation during the four years.

• Meet with individual students to address attendance, school performance and any areas of concern.

• During the second semester, make sure students are on the right path academically, counselors will assist students throughout the course selection process.

• Assist students with career exploration and the college application process.

• Always be accessible by phone/email for any questions, concerns students may have that do not require an appointment. Students and parents are encouraged to please reach out at any time to the Counseling Staff!