A department dedicated to student growth throughout the high school career.
Connection is at the heart of what we provide through School Counseling. We believe every student deserves to feel known, supported, and encouraged throughout their time at STA. By partnering closely with families, our School Counseling team takes a collaborative approach to supporting each student’s academic, personal, and social-emotional growth.
Whether a student joins us as a freshman or transfers to STA during the school year, we meet them where they are and provide guidance tailored to their individual needs. Students work with an assigned School Counselor throughout their time at STA, with regular opportunities to connect, ask questions, set goals, and navigate the opportunities and challenges of high school.
Our counseling program supports students through academic planning, vocational and college exploration, social-emotional development, and the many decisions that shape their high school experience. Through these ongoing conversations and resources, we help students build confidence, develop self-awareness, and prepare for life beyond STA.
What We Provide and How We Meet Students at Every Grade Level
- Comprehensive Services
- College Advising
- Vocational Assessment
- Academic Support
College Advising: How We Prepare Students Beyond the Classroom
Our School Counseling Department provides comprehensive academic advising services that start the moment our students enroll.
With authentic introductions that begin during our orientation sessions in August, to our round-robin style Freshman Action Day mini conference in September, to initial counselor appointments in the first semester, it’s our job to make sure students feel seen and included at STA. By the end of their first year, we work to make sure freshman feel established in their academic environment and connected to healthy peer groups.
FALL:
Freshman Action Day
Students attend round-robin sessions on various topics: Activity on identifying gifts, talents, and vocations. Introduction to early college preparation.
The results of the vocational activity are shared with Mrs. Cosgrove (College Advisor) for future use.
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR:
Individual Meetings with School Counselor
Topics Include:
-Course selection and workload
-Grades and academic goals
-Time management and extracurricular balance
-Laying the groundwork for a strong college application
By Sophomore year, students know their Counselor and work towards confidence in advocating for their academic needs. We help students navigate opportunities for cognitive growth and intellectual challenges, whether that be taking an Honors course, running for Student Government, or exploring a new club.
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR:
Continued Individual Meetings with School Counselor
-Build upon previous discussions
-Explore academic and personal interests
-Begin connecting interests to potential college majors or career paths
-Strengthen extracurricular involvement
In Junior year, we focus on strengthening leadership and emotional maturity, challenging students to continue shaping existing skills or learning new ones. For students considering a college path, we begin acclimating them to the application process and help them utilize vocational assessments, college essay writing resources, and set them up in our state-of-the-art college navigation platform, Naviance.
FALL (Late October – Early November):
Mandatory Small Group College Planning Meetings
-Set up with college application platforms (Common App, Naviance)
-Overview of college application process
Individual Meetings with Mrs. Cosgrove (College Advisor)
-Common App navigation
-Career/college exploration
-Recommendation letter strategy
-College search research tool
Parent Zoom Meeting
-Mrs. Cosgrove presents the college application process to parents
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR:
Ongoing Meeting with Mrs. Cosgrove
-Research and narrow down college list
-Identify: reach, target, and safety schools, as well as required standardized tests (SAT, ACT, etc.)
College Representative Visits Begins
-Over 60 colleges and universities visit campus
-Juniors are eligible to attend these info sessions
By Senior year, we merge resources for supporting post-graduation plans and college advising, setting our students up for success. Whether they go on to college, trade school, a gap year, or the work force, we make sure they’re prepared for what comes next.
AUGUST (BEFORE SCHOOL YEAR STARTS):
Mandatory Application Prep Group
-Early planning for the application season
-Finalize college list and prepare application materials
FALL SEMESTER:
Individual Meetings with School Counselor
-Personalized support for: college applications, college essays, submission timelines and requirements
Parent Zoom Meeting
-Focuses on financial aid process and key deadlines
Meet the School Counseling Team
Dr. Julie Schneider
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND STUDENT SERVICES
Mrs. Heather Soldner
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Mrs. Leah Cosgrove
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Ms. Jennifer Dunham
CENTER FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT COORDINATOR