Academics

Holy Cross High School offers students counseling and guidance on an individual and group basis concerning personal, academic, college, and career decisions. The guidance counselors work closely with the administration, faculty, and parents to help each student develop fully his/her potential. Appointments maybe initiated by students or counselor, or referrals may be made by administration, faculty or parents.

Services Provided:

Individual Counseling
Many times students will seek counseling or advice on a myriad of issues. Students who require extended or specialized counseling may be referred to professionals outside of the school setting.

Group Counseling
Counselors meet with various groups to discuss careers, colleges, test results and other pertinent topics. In addition, counselors meet with students who have identified or displayed common concerns such as self-esteem, eating disorders, separated families or grief.

College Counseling
College counseling begins immediately for students at Holy Cross with the advisement of courses necessary for success in college. The introduction to the College Board ExPan program and the search for colleges that meet a student's criteria begins early in junior year. Students are aided in the college application process throughout senior year until suitable post secondary plans are in place.

Career Counseling
Career counseling begins in sophomore year with the administration of the PLAN test and career inventory. Students are encouraged to explore the results of this inventory with the College Board ExPan computer program and through group counseling sessions. The career decisions begin to put into focus a student's college search criteria.

Special Programs

The following programs are offered to assist in future plans:
College Night - College representatives are available to present information on their respective colleges.
Job Shadow Program - Students have the opportunity to "shadow" a professional for part of or an entire day. Through this program students are made aware of many aspects of a career.
Financial Aid Night - A financial aid advisor from a local college presents updated financial aid information and discusses the procedure for filling out the Financial Aid Form.
Early Financial Aid Planning Presentation -This presentation is designed to help parents of freshmen students with college finances. An overview of the financial aid process is presented and various strategies for obtaining money for college are discussed.
Senior Scholarship Booklet - This booklet, updated yearly, lists and describes area scholarships available to graduating seniors.
Underclassman Scholarship Booklet - This booklet describes all of the scholarships that are available to underclassmen at Holy Cross. It is distributed in February of each school year.
Senior Parent College Information Meeting - A general presentation is made on the college application process.
Junior Parent College Information Meeting - A general presentation is made on the college search and selection process.

Group Counseling

The following special groups are available to students:
Stress Management - provides techniques of appropriate ways to handle stress. A discussion of areas of stress in a person's life and learning how others deal with stress arc areas covered. Turning stress into a motivating force in a student's life will be a desired outcome.
Relationship Group - provides assistance to students who may be involved in a problematic or uncomfortable relationship. Discussions will involve changes in feelings toward others, growing apart, balancing various relationships and communicating feelings.
Family Group - provides assistance to students who have parents who have separated, divorced, or remarried. Opportunities will be provided for self-awareness, sharing, problem solving, and better communication within the family. This group also provides an outlet for discussion of pain or anger.
Communication Group - will provide students the opportunity to improve their communication skills. Verbal and non-verbal communication will be discussed. Clearer communication will lead to positive relationships and a more productive life.
Life Skills - Topics such as self-esteem, healthy relationships, communication, conflict resolution, decision-making, coping with loss and assertiveness will be discussed.
Health Issues - Discussions center on health related issues that are affecting group members or members of their family.
Grief and Loss - Issues regarding the death of a family member or friend are discussed. Students will learn the stages of grief and skills needed to cope with this change.