Counseling
Our mission is to inspire, nurture, and motivate each student to discover their growth potential.
Our Mission
Our counselors are compassionate innovators who engage students in new experiences to develop their knowledge, overcome barriers, and reach their postsecondary goals. We both support and challenge our students to achieve success in an ever-changing world. Our comprehensive counseling programs are student-centered, data-driven, and promote a positive school climate. Counselors are a listening ear, have a wealth of resources, and are an advocate for every student we serve.
We believe each student is unique. Our counselors make it a point to meet with students individually at least twice a semester, and even more frequently if necessary. Throughout all four years, students are paired with the same counselor who will guide them in mapping out their educational journey. The counselor personalize their approach, tailoring their services to meet the unique needs of each student. Their role is to help students discover the academic opportunities and postsecondary options that align best with their interests and goals. By doing so, our counseling team becomes an integral part of the interconnected support network within the La Salle community.
Academics
Our counseling team infuses energy, carer, and proactiveness into working with our students, from helping them pick the right classes to keeping them on track for graduation. Counselors work closely with students to promote mindsets and behaviors which enhance their learning potential. Students have the flexibility to select their course sch edule, build their rigor, and get involved in co-curricular activities. We center ourselves on our core values. Our focus is a high-quality education in and out of the classroom. Our broad offering of programs allows each student to discover their own path toward excellence.
College-Career
College and career planning at La Salle is rooted in helping our students find their best fit. Students have the same counselor all four years of high school which allows the counselor to know their students closely. We individualize college planning to represent each student’s strengths, passions, and life goals. We do not believe in putting our students in a “box.” Students are guided through a self-discovery process to develop their post-secondary goals based on what is most important to them. Counselors then couple that with strategies for applying to college to maximize their admission potential. In the end, students are left with choices to transition successfully into the next chapter of their lives.
Personal-Social
Our robust counselors are kind and compassionate changemakers. Counselors nurture students’ well-being and we are there when life takes its ups and downs. We understand that helping students with their emotions, setting productive goals, maintaining healthy relationships, showing empathy towards others, and making thoughtful decisions are foundational to their overall growth and development. We offer a wide array of support services to our parents and students. Lessons, workshops, guest speakers, and so much more are embedded into the four years that students journey with us.
FRESHMAN YEAR
Counselors meet with students once per quarter to check in on their academic progress and well-being. We get to know our students and build rapport from day one.
Students map their four-year academic plans and are encouraged to challenge themselves by taking courses outside of their comfort zone and at more advanced levels.
Through our Mentor lessons, students build the skills they need to be successful in their transition to high school. Learning how to manage the block schedule, taking thorough notes, chunking assignments, time management, and self-advocacy are key to their success.
Students take their first attempt at the PreACT to get comfortable and familiar with standardized testing.
Getting involved! With a multitude of clubs, co-curricular activities, and sports available, students have their pick with getting involved and finding community.
College Planning Checklist: 9th Grade
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Counselors continue to meet individually with each student every quarter to ensure their ongoing success at La Salle.
Sophomores step into the Reality Fair where they receive a career and salary. This simulation teaches students about personal finances as they make housing, car, taxes, medical, entertainment, and other purchases. Our students are taught the value of hard work and how career choices relates to earning potential and lifelong opportunities.
Building lifelong skills is core to our values. We educate our students on building meaningful relationships, conflict resolution, and self-care.
Students take the PreACT again in preparation for the official ACT and SAT exam.
On campus college visits allow students to learn about individual colleges and their programs with the school’s representative.
The San Diego and Bay Area College Tour are offered by La Salle for students to visit college campuses and experience their programs, dining hall, dorms, and surrounding communities.
Our annual College Forum is the biggest college planning event of the year with representatives coming to guest speak on all things college related.
College Planning Checklist: 10th Grade
JUNIOR YEAR
The junior year takes a deeper dive into the college application process. On top of checking in with students every quarter, counselors walk students through researching colleges, finding their best fit, and preparing for the application itself.
Juniors take the PSAT in the fall with the official ACT exam offered at La Salle in the spring. Test scores help students to evaluate their competitiveness towards college. With more and more colleges going test-optional, counselors work with students to develop an individualized testing plan.
Career Day brings back our alumni to campus to share their college and career experiences with students. Our juniors learn firsthand from a fellow Lasallian.
The College Forum is offered every year to our parents and students. Guest speakers from admissions, financial aid, athletics, testing preparation, and many more will be there.
The best way to know if a school is the right fit is to visit. Counselors suggest colleges to students based on their goals and preferences.
Junior year is an important time for students to build upon their co-curricular and academic involvements by challenging themselves with rigorous coursework and taking on leadership roles.
Juniors prepare a resume and practice their interviewing skills in Mentor class. Students learn to make a positive first impression.
The Summer College Writing Workshop teaches students the ins and outs about the Common App and UC Personal Insight Questions. Students leave with their first draft and the know-how to write a persuasive essay.
It’s important to stay engaged in the summer. Students can take our enrichment classes, attend a camp, volunteer, or get a head start on their college applications.
College Planning Checklist: 11th Grade
SENIOR YEAR
La Salle is a testing site for the Aug SAT. Seniors may want to take the ACT or SAT again in the fall based on their counselor’s recommendation.
Seniors meet with their counselor starting in early September to finalize their college application list and map out deadlines and requirements.
We host the Cash for College Night with financial aid experts onsite to assist families with filling out their FAFSA, CADAA, or CSS Profile.
Weekly College Application Workshops are available throughout the fall. Counselors are ready to help students complete applications and proofread essays.
Our alumni network are available for students to meet with to learn more about a college or career path. We host an alumni panel for students to hear from recent graduates.
Navigating resources in college is essential to our students’ success. We educate our seniors on programs available to them to ease their transition from high school to college.
It’s an exciting time for all of us when admission offers start rolling in! Counselors help families weigh their admissions offer to help discern the college where they plan to commit.
College Planning Checklist: 12th Grade
