College Counseling
at Scottsdale Preparatory Academy
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Scottsdale Preparatory Academy College Counseling Department
Scottsdale Preparatory Academy's College Counseling Department provides every student and family with thoughtful, individualized, and accessible guidance throughout the college exploration and admissions process. We seek to demystify an increasingly complex process by providing clear information, realistic expectations, and meaningful support that empowers students to make informed decisions about their future.
Our approach is student-centered, developmental, collaborative, and data-informed. College counseling support is not a one-time event, but a multi-year process that begins Freshmen year with exploration and self-discovery, develops through intentional college and career research, and culminates in a thoughtful application and transition process. Through classroom curriculum, individual meetings, family conversations, workshops, communications, and college resources, we equip students with the knowledge and skills to identify colleges and opportunities that align with their academic interests, personal goals, values, and financial circumstances.
We believe effective college counseling requires a strong partnership among students, families, faculty, and colleges. Our department maintains a visible and accessible presence on campus, provides consistent communication and resources, and collaborates as a team to ensure students receive coordinated, timely, and knowledgeable support. We help families navigate the college application process with realistic and healthy expectations, emphasizing that a successful college outcome is defined not simply by admission to a particular institution, but by finding an environment in which a student can thrive academically, personally, and financially.
Ultimately, Scottsdale Prep's College Counseling Department exists to know our students, educate our families, expand students' understanding of their opportunities, and guide each student toward a purposeful next step after graduation.
Miss Monica Ware
Miss Monica Ware: Lead College Counselor
Contact Miss Ware: MWare@scottsdaleprep.org
Miss Ware is beginning her fourth year at Scottsdale Preparatory Academy and her eighth school year in the Great Hearts network. She has her Bachelor's degree in Political Science and her Master's degree in Psychology with an Emphasis in Higher Education and over 15 years of experience in higher education. Before joining Great Hearts, she worked in college admissions and career services, including serving as an application reader for UC Berkeley and the University of San Francisco. She is passionate about helping students discover pathways that are the right fit and navigate the admissions process with confidence. During the summer, she volunteers at the American Church in Paris, where she supports outreach and community engagement programs.
Ms. Kristina Hakanson
Ms. Kristina Hakanson: College Counselor & Interventionist
Contact Ms. Hakanson: KHakanson@scottsdaleprep.org
Ms. Hakanson began teaching at Scottsdale Preparatory Academy in 2015 and since then has served in various roles such as yearbook advisor and 504 Coordinator. She is honored to join the College Counseling team in 2026. A native of Oregon, Ms. Hakanson holds a BA in English from the University of Oregon and an MFA in Writing from Pacific University. Prior to joining Scottsdale Prep, Ms. Hakanson directed her language and writing energies toward various marketing and communication roles in both the public and private sectors. She also taught writing in community colleges in Oregon and Arizona. During weekends and holidays, Ms. Hakanson can often be found hiking or mountain biking in our beautiful Sonoran Desert.
Mrs. Zoe Bellinghausen
Mrs. Zoe Bellinghausen: College Counselor
Contact Mrs. Bellinghausen: ZBellinghausen@scottsdaleprep.org
Mrs. Bellinghausen began her career with Great Hearts at Archway Scottsdale, where she served as the Assistant Campus Coordinator for the Athenaeum program. She is excited to expand her career in the college counseling department at Scottsdale Prep, which she joined in 2025. Mrs. Bellinghausen has her international business degree from Washington State University and spent a year studying abroad at the University of Adelaide in Australia. She enjoys sharing her passion for education and helping students find that right fit as they start their collegiate journey. She also shares her enthusiasm for endurance sports, especially running, as the middle school cross country coach at Scottsdale Prep. Mrs. Bellinghausen is married with one daughter and has a lab puppy named Kona. In her spare time, she can be seen out riding her bike, running, swimming, or exploring the world.
Introducing SCOIR: Our College & Career Planning Platform
Introducing SCOIR: Our College & Career Planning Platform
We are excited to launch SCOIR, our new college and career planning platform designed to help students take a more active role in their college and career journey. SCOIR brings important college counseling resources into one centralized place, allowing students to research colleges, explore careers, build and organize their college lists, track application progress, and connect with us.
Students will be able to use SCOIR throughout high school to explore their interests, discover colleges that may be a good fit, and stay organized as they move through the college application process. Families will also have greater visibility into the process and can partner with their students as they explore their options.
As we transition to SCOIR, students and families can look forward to a more streamlined, collaborative, and student-centered college counseling experience.
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