College Counseling & Guidance
College Counseling
One hundred percent of Academy graduates matriculate into college. In addition, in the past several years, the senior classes have each earned an average of $13 million in scholarships. As a college preparatory school, the Academy of the Holy Names encourages each student to seek a college or university where she can be challenged to reach her potential and be successful both academically and personally.
The search for the right college or university involves the need to look at the values, strengths, and goals of each young woman. While the college counselors suggest schools that are appropriate to the student’s needs and abilities, the decision on where to apply and where the student ultimately enrolls rests with the student and her parents. The College Counseling Department will provide the student with the necessary support and assistance to be successful throughout the college planning process, elements of which begin as early as the 9th-grade year.
The college counselors welcome all phone calls, and they are available for individual meetings by appointment. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the department's resources.
The Academy of the Holy Names views higher education as further preparation for life. Though still not the "real world," college gives students a broader arena in which to continue maturing. The search for the right college or university involves the need to look at the values, strengths, and goals of each young woman.
College Counseling Team
College Process by Year
Freshman Year
Fall
- PSAT administered
- Small group meetings re: time management, GPA, importance of academics early in high school career
- Students are encouraged to explore and pursue interests outside of academics for a richer high school experience.
Spring
- Curriculum meeting for freshmen (includes course selection for sophomore year)
- Introduction to Maia Learning – Begin building activity resume for college applications
Summer
- Read for enjoyment … avid readers perform best on standardized testing.
- Partake in activities such as community service, sports or hobbies for enrichment.
Sophomore Year
Fall
- PSAT administered
- Small group meetings
Spring
- PSAT results returned
- Guest speakers address college-related topics such as best “fit” and setting yourself apart in the admission process (open to sophomores and their parents).
- Curriculum meeting with sophomores (includes course selection for junior year)
- Coffees with sophomore parents to address curriculum and preparation for college
- Update activity resume in Maia Learning, introduction to Maia Learning college search tools, scholarship search and graphs to gage admission potential
Summer
- Begin preparing for taking the PSAT in October (read, take practice tests, study vocabulary, brush up on math skills. The PSAT is good practice and a good predictor for the SAT.).
- Begin visiting colleges with an open mind to start finding the right fit. Avoid only visiting schools with name recognition or where your friends are looking.
- Participate in an activity for enrichment where you are honing an interest or skill.
Junior Year
Fall
- Visits to AHN by over 100 college representatives
- Presentation by college counselor on the PSAT
- PSAT administered
- Bay Area Association of Independent Schools College Fair - This fair is hosted by AHN and all of the other private high schools in the Tampa Bay area
- Small group meetings on choosing a college, best fit, finding one’s passion, campus visits
- November College Planning Night - College Directors of Admission present information for juniors and parents regarding college planning, parents receive their Maia Learning accounts
- PSAT results returned
- Visit colleges
Spring
- Annual Case Studies Program - Mock admission panel and college fair with 60 Deans of Admission from around the country. Students and parents participate.
- Submit Parent Questionnaire
- Submit Junior Questionnaire
- College Counselor meets individually with juniors and parents. (These appointments may be scheduled through the end of April.)
- Register for SAT and ACT
- College Planning Retreat for Juniors - Panel of experts conduct workshops with students on essay writing, choosing a college, the college interview, etc.
- Curriculum meeting with students regarding course selection for senior year
- Coffees with Parents – Course curriculum, college counseling calendar, etc…
- March - Activity Resume due
- College Essay Writing Workshops
- First college essays due
- Visit colleges
- Register with NCAA Eligibility Center
- Advanced Placement exams
- Request letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, moderators, employers
- Create Common Application and/or Coalition Application account
Summer
- Visit colleges
- Firm up final list of colleges
- Update Activity Resume
- Work on college essays
- Engage in an activity that takes your interest or hobby to the next level, shows growth
Senior Year
Fall
- Senior College Night - Review of the college application and admission process, Deans of Admission present
- Common Application workshops
- College representatives visit AHN throughout the fall semester
- October 1 - application deadline for all Florida public university applications
- Register for SAT and ACT
- November 1 - Early Decision/Early Action applications due
- Bay Area Association of Independent Schools College Fair
- December 1- application deadline for ALL applications
- Register for the Florida Bright Futures Program
- Financial Aid Workshop for parents
- File FAFSA and all other financial aid paper work
Spring
- Hand in all documentation for Honors Convocation (award letters, college acceptance letters, and scholarship award letters)
- May 1 - Commit to school of choice
- Advanced Placement Exams
- Honors Convocation
- Graduation
- Final AHN transcript sent to your college of choice
Summer
- Florida Department of Education sends you notification of Florida Bright Futures Scholarship status
College Inklings Newsletter
- Content
Personal Counseling
The High School Counseling Department at the Academy of the Holy Names strives to address the whole person—socially, emotionally, and academically. The counseling program is designed to meet the need of the students in a developmental approach over four years of high school. Through one-on-one, small group, and individual counseling sessions, students are assisted in building a system of values and decision-making processes.
Objective: To provide students with access to a counselor who works in conjunction with teachers and families to facilitate the development of each student’s academic, social, emotional, and career potential. To help them achieve their immediate and future goals.
Philosophy: The counseling team consisting of Personal/Social, College, and Learning Support professionals work proactively to ensure all students build a positive self-image, understand their strengths, and what makes them unique. Our counseling services promote the necessary skills, attitudes, and beliefs for all students to manage present and future challenges effectively; they are offered on the foundational belief that such services are best when there is a strong partnership between school and home.
Depending on the developmental levels of our students, our school counselors:
- Serve as an advocate for each student.
- Hold students to high standards and expect them to demonstrate self-advocacy and responsibility as cognitively and developmentally appropriate.
- Advocate for a student-centered, safe environment for all.
- Work collaboratively with teachers and others to support students' academic, behavioral and mental health needs.
- Provide solution-focused counseling and make referrals when needed.
- Implement the counseling program and use data and reflection to continually improve the delivery of the program.
- Assist in course selection and planning and conduct meetings for academic guidance and future planning.
- Support students to process their problems and plan goals and actions.
- Foster an environment of self-awareness, acceptance, and diversity.
- Provide opportunities and are available for individual and group counseling.
Personal Counseling Team
The counseling team's open-door policy allows them to assist students in dealing with personal, social and academic needs. To learn more or set up an appointment, please contact Ms. Oddny Bakke at any time.
Learning Resource Specialists
Academic support is provided to students at the Academy through classroom, small group, and individual instruction. Families are also provided with referrals to resources within the community to identify specific learning needs and further support for student achievement. The Learning Resource Specialist acts as advocate to ensure students with disabilities can access the academic content in the classroom and demonstrate learning. The Learning Resource Specialist is available to meet with parents and students on subjects related to academic success.