School Counseling

As part of our philosophy of fostering enduring personal relationships, the School Counseling Department has a four-year plan to develop and support students through freshman year to senior year, with a tailored approach to help them achieve academic success, build independence, expose them to career paths, and prepare them to be successful in a post-secondary plan of their choice. 

• Counselors conduct individual meetings with freshman during the first quarter to ensure a smooth adjustment to the Xavier community, both academically and socially.
• Naviance is introduced and counselors demonstrate how to use it for college research and learning styles.
• Freshmen are invited to attend the annual Xavier/Mercy College Fair, hosted at Xavier in the spring.
• Our Academic Support Specialist meets regularly with teachers of College Preparatory students to develop plans for wrap-around academic and executive functioning support.
• Students will participate in an annual social-emotional learning lesson. These lessons focus on key topics such as emotional intelligence, self-awareness, anxiety, and managing stress, equipping students with the tools they need to navigate personal and academic challenges effectively.

• Counselors conduct individual meetings with sophomores in the second half of the year to continue supporting their growth at Xavier.
• Sophomores are taught how to use Naviance to explore potential careers. They explore their strengths and investigate colleges offering majors aligned with their career interests.
• All sophomores take the PSAT at Xavier.
• The School Counseling Department hosts a sophomore parent presentation to discuss academic benchmarks and social/emotional wellness their students are experiencing.
• Sophomores are invited to attend the Xavier/Mercy College Fair in the spring hosted at Xavier.
• Students will participate in an annual social-emotional learning lesson. These lessons focus on key topics such as emotional intelligence, self-awareness, anxiety, and managing stress, equipping students with the tools they need to navigate personal and academic challenges effectively.

• Counselors meet with juniors in the second half of the year to begin the college planning process with individual meetings geared towards exploring their post-secondary goals and the steps they need to take in 11th grade to be prepared for application season in the fall of their senior year.
• Counselors help juniors create their senior year schedule to ensure they have not only met Xavier graduation requirements, but have the necessary courses to be competitive applicants to the college programs of their choice.
• Students use Naviance with the guidance of their counselor to develop an initial college list.
• School Counselors implement classroom lessons on creating the Common App, how to correctly fill out each section, and guide students in creating a “brag sheet” for their teacher and counselor recommendation letters.
• Students participate in a College Essay Writing Workshop with their English classes.
• All juniors take the PSAT in the fall and the SAT in the spring at Xavier.
• Xavier offers an optional after-school SAT prep course.
• Juniors have the opportunity to meet with college admissions representatives that visit Xavier during the fall.
• The School Counseling Department hosts a junior parent presentation to kick off the college process.
• Juniors are invited to attend the Xavier/Mercy College Fair in the spring hosted at Xavier.
• Students will participate in an annual social-emotional learning lesson. These lessons focus on key topics such as emotional intelligence, self-awareness, anxiety, and managing stress, equipping students with the tools they need to navigate personal and academic challenges effectively.

• Counselors meet with seniors primarily in the first half of the year to finalize their college list, review their applications, and answer any questions they might have. Since no two students are the same, college guidance can continue throughout the year as students make their final post-secondary decisions.
• The School Counseling Administrative Assistant submits all supplemental application materials.
• Xavier and Mercy alternatively host a financial aid information session for those interested in learning more about funding for college.
• Seniors have the opportunity to meet with college admissions representatives that visit Xavier during the fall.
• Students will participate in an annual social-emotional learning lesson. These lessons focus on key topics such as emotional intelligence, self-awareness, anxiety, and managing stress, equipping students with the tools they need to navigate personal and academic challenges effectively.