COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
News!
Summer Activities Edition: US Counseling News
January Newsletter: US Counseling News
November Newsletter: US Counseling News
October Newsletter: US Counseling News
September Newsletter: US Counseling News
August Newsletter: US Counseling News
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TESTING & REGISTRATION DATES:
School Testing Dates for juniors:
ACT - 3/25/25 (reg due 3/14) more info: Viz ACT
SAT - 3/12/25 (reg due 3/7) info: Viz SAT
ACT National Test Dates:
April 5th (regular registration deadline 2/28 late reg deadline 3/16)
June 14th & July 12th 2025
SAT National Test Dates:
March 8, 2025 (regular registration deadline 2/21/25 late reg deadline 2/25/25)
May 3rd & June 7th 2025
VIZ CEEB code: 262925
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SPRING COLLEGE FAIRS:
National STEM College & Career Fair 3/9/25 1-4pm Washington University - information: nacac/25StLouisSTEM
Regional College Fair 4/12/25 1-3pm Maryville University - more info coming soon
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COMPREHENSIVE COUNSELING PROGRAM
The Visitation Academy counselors work with students throughout their four years in the Upper School. Services include: Academic planning, College and Career Exploration and Planning, Personal/Crisis Counseling and Standardized Test Coordination.
Counseling Department Student Services Coordinator: Meghan Swaller
mswaller@visitationacademy.org ; 314.625.9141
A-Z 9th grade - Mrs. Sparks: ssparks@visitationacademy.org
A-G 10th-12th grade - Ms. Verstraete: kverstraete@visitationacademy.org
H-M 10th-12th grade - Mrs. Bodlovich: mbodlovich@visitationacademy.org
N-Z 10th-12th grade - Mrs. Boyce: cboyce@visitationacademy.org
Individual, group, and classroom counseling activities include but aren’t limited to:
Grade 9
High School Orientation (August)
Freshmen Parent Meeting (September)
Advisory meetings with Counselor Groups (on going)
Introduction to Career Planning and Exploration Tools
Learning Strategies and Study Skills workshops
Development of Four year Academic Plans and Individualized Course Selection
Standardized Testing - Pre ACT (October)
Grade 10
Sophomore Parent meeting (September)
Advisory meetings with counselor groups (on going)
Continued utilization of Career Planning/Exploration tools
Individual course selection meetings
Standardized testing - PSAT/NMSQT (October)
Grade 11
Junior Parent Meeting (September)
College Advisory Program (small group sessions Dec - April)
College Admissions and Essay Writing panels
Individual College planning meetings with families (Jan - Feb)
Individual course selection meetings
ACT Preparation Course (spring semester)
Standardized testing - PSAT/NMSQT (October) and ACT (April)
Grade 12
Senior Parent meeting in September for college planning
Individual appointments with seniors for college planning
College Advisory program - weekly sessions in Fall
College application and essay writing assistance
Activities to assist with the transition to college
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS
Annual College Fair and Financial Aid Night in conjunction with West County Private High Schools Consortium
Academic planning and support
Individual Personal and/or Crisis Counseling
Coordinate Advanced Placement (AP) Program and Exams
Coordinate SLU 1818 Advanced program dual credit course offerings
Social and Emotional Health Programming: CHADS, NAMI, Drug and Alcohol Prevention, Megan Meier Foundation, Social Media Safety, Distracted Driving
Coordinate College Representative visits to campus (100+ nationwide)
MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELING
Ashley Giljum agiljum@visitationacademy.org Middle School Counselor
Catie Tyler ctyler@visitationacademy.org Middle & Lower School Counselor
The Middle School Counseling Resource tile in the Viz Portal contains information related middle school counseling.