Information, Celebration, Inspiration (Academy President’s Blog)
09.13.10 - SMA and College
This Wednesday night, Ms. Mac will host a College Information night for the 12th grade in the Forum at 7 pm. A meeting will be held for the 11th grade on October 5 at 7:45 am in the High School Dining Room.
I love when I get the question, "Deirdre, how does St. Mary’s Academy handle college counseling?” I love that question because I love the answer. I am in awe of our High School and how it manages this major activity in our students’ lives.
Phil Gentry offers able leadership to the department. Phil also teaches math, manages the yearbook and coaches basketball. Working as college counselors are Celia Bard, Mary Pat Mueller and Kathryn McNamee—each one of these women are also teachers, coaches, club moderators (or the High School principal!) This group of educators knows the community and knows our students. This knowledge is essential when it is time to write letters for the students and to represent the students to the colleges.
The seniors are divided into groups of about 15 students. Too many times we all hear stories of big high schools with large populations and only one college counselor. St. Mary’s Academy’s approach in college counseling mirrors our approach to teaching and learning: the student at the center. The individual is known and cared for.
Additionally, our students and their families make use of a great computer program called Naviance. This program is directed to the college applicant. An applicant can use Naviance to learn about colleges, learn about the application process at a college and compare application requirements. It’s a great program available to our High School students and families.
And college counseling doesn’t stop at that. Our counselors are terrific at showcasing St. Mary’s Academy. This week, for instance, SMA will host the University of Notre Dame information night. It’s great to be the host—students from area schools will come to St. Mary’s Academy to learn about Notre Dame. And, we are thrilled for the folks from Notre Dame to get to experience St. Mary’s Academy. And, in October, our counseling staff will host a dinner for college admission officers who come to Denver for the Independent School College Fair. Again, it's a great opportunity for college officers to visit our campus, enjoy our hospitality and get to know St. Mary’s Academy a little better.
And, as with all good arguments, the real proof is in the results. The list of colleges where our SMA graduates enroll includes a variety of colleges and universities. The list includes Ivy League schools, large state schools, art schools, small liberal arts colleges. The list has West coast schools, East coast schools and all schools between. The list represents that the college counseling is doing what it says it does: helping each girl find the right school for her. Our girls go to their first or second choice college. It is an impressive program. It is an impressive Academy.
To see the college list visit http://www.smanet.org/index.php/academics/college-counseling/
