The High School Guidance Department at the Academy of the Holy Names strives to address the whole person—spiritually, socially, emotionally and academically. The guidance program is designed to meet the need of the students in a developmental approach over four years of high school. Through small-group and individual guidance sessions, students are assisted in building a system of values and decision-making processes which provide the foundation for personal choices, career search and college selection.

There are two personal counselors for the high school division, Guidance Department Chair Sister Mary Glavin, SNJM, and Emily Pantelis (A'07). The counselors meet with students individually as well as in groups. Sister Mary and Ms. Pantelis have both had a myriad of experiences in their field and consider it a blessing to serve in the high school division at the Academy. Their open-door policy allows them to assist students in dealing with personal, social and academic needs and also to be available to parents and teachers.

Sister Mary councils all freshmen and sophomore students, and Ms. Pantelis councils all junior and senior students. Sister Mary may be reached at extension 290, or by email at mglavin@holynamestpa.org; and Ms. Pantelis may be reached at extension 254, or by email at epantelis@holynamestpa.org.

Ms. Olivia Martinez A’10 and Dr. Julie Omodio-Griess, Ph.D. are the learning resource specialists for students in grades 9-12. Our specialists act as advocates to ensure students with disabilities are able to access the academic content in the classroom and demonstrate learning. They provide academic support to students at the Academy through classroom, small group and individual instruction. They also provide families with referrals to resources in the community to identify specific learning needs and further support student achievement.

Ms. Martinez services students whose last names begin with A-I, and Dr. Griess serves students whose last names begin with J-Z. Ms. Martinez and Dr. Griess are available to meet with parents regarding their child’s academic success. Ms. Martinez may be reached at extension 415, or by email at omartinez@holynamestpa.org; and Dr. Griess may be reached at extension 245, or by email at jgriess@holynamestpa.org.