School Counseling Office

The school counselors at East Catholic High School are a tremendous resource as our students navigate the path to adulthood. They help facilitate the transition into high school, aid in our students’ success during their years at ECHS, and then support the transition out of high school and into well-respected and prestigious higher institutions of learning.

Naviance Student

The focus for each academic year is as follows:

    Freshman Year

    Our primary focus, as students begin their course of study at ECHS, is to assist freshmen with the transition to high school. Our school counselors will:

    • Facilitate Naviance Activities on PSAT Day in October
    • Review student schedules prior to entrance
    • Give students a general orientation
    • Conduct a personal conference with the student during the first month of school
    • Make necessary adjustments of any schedule conflicts
    • Students may request drop-in sessions as needed

    Sophomore Year

    As students continue their education at East, our School Counseling office helps them make progress toward their lofty goals. Ways we help:

    • Initial review of schedules and adjustment of any schedule conflicts
    • Classroom explanations of PSAT significance
    • Administration of PSAT (October)
    • Classroom discussion to explain PSAT results in December
    • Individual academic performance assessments
    • Drop-in conferences as needed
    • Planning 11th grade schedule

    Junior Year

    A student’s junior year is full of college planning, preparing, testing, and searching. Our department works with juniors in the following ways:

    • Junior Year Planning Guide
    • Initial review of schedules and adjustment of any schedule conflicts
    • Help facilitate the college process using the web-based Naviance Student program
    • Administration of PSAT (October)
    • Review PSAT results and discuss resources for preparation for the SAT reasoning test (May) and the SAT subject tests (June)
    • Individual conferences focusing on the important link between academic progress and the college/career search process
    • The Junior Planning Series, held in February, is for all juniors and their parents
    • Follow-up School Counseling Night (February) at which time a panel of seniors share their college exploration and application experiences
    • Planning grade 12 schedule

    Senior Year

    As a senior on the road to success, our School Counseling office tries to make the college application process as seamless as possible. We are here to help our students finalize their college applications and prepare for the next phase of their education. The following can be expected for senior year: 

    • Schedule reviews
    • Senior Planning Series in September to explain and assist with the College Application Process
    • Long period “help” sessions for the college application process
    • Continue with the Naviance Student program as the seniors move through the college application process
    • Facilitation of visits by college admissions officers to East Catholic for student conferences (seniors)
    • Financial Aid Night for parents filing FAFSA and profile forms (September 26 from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m.)
    • Continue to meet with seniors individually to enable efficient college decision making
    • Drop-in conferences as needed
    • Letters of recommendation written by counselors

    Simplifying the College Process 

    Formal discussion of the college selection process begins junior year when all juniors meet individually with their school counselor to review the search process. Ways we help:

    • Host college information panel nights in November and February for juniors and their parents
    • Help juniors narrow the search so they can visit potential college choices while the colleges are in session, especially during February and April school vacations
    • At the start of senior year, counselors meet with seniors to discuss their choices and begin the application process
    • College Application Series for students in September. (Invitations will be emailed after the first day of school) 
    • Receive all college applications in the School Counseling office before Thanksgiving break
    • Hold an evening program in September to explain the financial aid process to seniors and their parents

    Many Helpful Resources

    • After-school help from teachers
    • National Honor Society tutors