The St. Rita High School Counseling Department is here to guide our incoming freshmen in the areas of academic, personal and social/emotional development. The Counseling Department is looking forward to working with all freshman students as they transition to high school. This is the year to establish a strong academic foundation as well as getting involved with extracurricular activities which will help build long lasting friendships. The counselors will help to support students with study skills and time management as well as helping them strive towards independence and accountability in and out of the classroom. 

Scheduling Freshmen: Every incoming freshman will receive an academic plan of classes once accepted into St. Rita High School.

During the sophomore year, students will begin using the post-secondary planning website, Naviance Student, to help guide their future curriculum choices as well as college and career planning. The main focus of the sophomore year should be for students to successfully complete their courses and improve or build upon their freshman year GPA. Also continuing involvement in extracurricular activities, service and beginning career exploration. One of the most significant factors in college admissions is performance in a student’s college prep and advanced courses.  Counselors will help assist students in planning their junior year courses to fit with colleges or careers they may be interested in pursuing after graduation.  

Scheduling Sophomores: Every rising sophomore discusses his individual scheduling options with his counselor. A student who is eligible will receive a recommendation for Honors and/or AP course(s). By the end of April, all rising sophomores will have chosen his classes for the following year.

Junior year is one of the most pivotal when it comes to college planning. All juniors should take a college placement test (ACT or SAT) in late Winter or early Spring of their junior year. The Counseling Department highly recommends participating in a test preparation course or program. Juniors are also given the option to take the PSAT/NMSQT exam in October for a chance to qualify as a National Merit Scholar. Counselors will continue to develop application strategies and timelines with juniors as they begin to identify potential college choices while providing opportunities for career exploration to those not pursuing a four-year college. Attending college visits and job shadowing are ways to assist these decisions. The junior year grades are the last thing that will be included on a student's transcript prior to applying for colleges in the Fall of their senior year, so it is very important for students to perform well in all of their courses.  

Scheduling Juniors: Every rising junior discusses individual scheduling options with his counselor each Spring. A student who is eligible, will receive a recommendation for an Honors and/or AP course(s). By the end of each Spring, all rising juniors will choose classes making sure that all graduation requirements are being met.

Senior year is the year for students to determine their future and after high school plans. Counselors will assist each student with all aspects of applying to college, career plans and scholarship opportunities. They will help with the tedious college application process and assist each student in determining the right college fit. It is important that seniors continue to work hard academically in both semesters in the senior year. Significant involvement is still important.

Scheduling Seniors: Every rising senior discusses individual scheduling options with his counselor. A student who is eligible, will receive a recommendation for an Honors and/or AP or Dual Credit course(s). By the end of February, all rising seniors will choose classes and periods making sure that all graduation requirements are being met.