Academics

School Counseling

La Salle Academy’s School Counseling Department seeks to promote the personal growth of students and to provide them with the strategies necessary for educational, career, and social development. 
Preventive and developmental counseling helps students cope with the stresses and pressures that affect their personal development and academic performance. In theory, the School Counseling Department does distinguish between counseling (dealing with such personal matters as emotional issues or social adjustment problems) and advising (academic matters). In practice, however, the approach is a more holistic one. Consequently, although each counselor’s primary responsibility is counseling and advising, the department works collaboratively with the Principal, Vice Principal for Academics, Vice Principal for Student Life, Deans, teachers, parents, and other school personnel to insure continuity and effectiveness in dealing with the whole student.

The Role of School Counselor

Counseling is a helping process in which the school counselor provides a safe, nurturing environment. By establishing a trusting, confidential working relationship, students can share their feelings and develop positive solutions to personal issues. Often, the focus is on problem solving, decision making and discovering personal meaning related to learning and development. Parents, teachers, administrators, and students can initiate a referral to the school counselor.
The School Counselor is an advocate for students:
  • listen to students, assess their needs, and develop realistic interventions
  • help students to cope with social/emotional pressures, set realistic goals, and become responsible young adults
  • help students to understand and accept their capabilities and limitations
  • assist students with transition issues and orientation to La Salle Academy
  • make appropriate internal and external referrals
Confidentiality

An important obligation of school counselors is to maintain the confidentiality of their relationships with students. School counselors are obliged not to disclose information that a student has shared within the context of the counseling relationship, unless such disclosures are necessary to protect the student from posing a serious threat to him or herself or to others.

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  • Freshman Counseling

    Freshman Year:
    Welcome to your first year at the Academy. Our goal during your freshman year is to assist with the transition and adjustment to La Salle Academy both academically and socially. We encourage all 9th-graders to ask questions, get involved within the community and seek out our school counselors when needed.
     
    Throughout the school year, we work with the freshman class in a variety of areas, including academics, personal/social life and college/career planning. Students are seen throughout the school year in group settings. In addition, students are welcome to visit the school counseling office whenever a need arises. Some of the topics we address to help students succeed include:
     
    • Setting and reaching academic goals
    • Improving organizational skills
    • Building self-confidence
    • Improving time management
    • Developing positive decision making strategies
    • Conflict resolution
     
    The La Salle Academy School Counseling Office takes pride in assisting all students in their development as members of the La Salle Academy community. Students are always welcome in the School Counseling Office and parents are encouraged to call with any questions/concerns. School Counselors can be reached through the office secretary, Mrs. Ciampanelli, at 351-7750, ext.128

  • Sophomore Counseling

    Welcome to your sophomore year at the Academy! During this year, students continue to build on skills introduced during their freshman year, such as organizational skills, time management strategies and conflict resolution. Students begin to explore methods that will provide a better understanding of self within the La Salle community and beyond.
     
    Individually, in small groups, and within classroom presentations, we work hard to assist you in various areas. We believe we will develop students to become well-rounded lifelong learners of high character through our approach which includes:
    • Advancing study habits 
    • Preparing for the PSAT
    • Guiding with course selection  
    • Developing self-advocacy skills
    • Expanding social networks
    • Exploring career/college paths
    • Learning test-taking strategies
    • Handling stress
    We continue to promote the School Counseling Office as a place of encouragement and guidance for academic success at La Salle Academy. We offer a safe place for coping with issues relating to high school life.  Students are always welcome to stop by or make an appointment. As a commitment to our mission statement, the Counseling Center plays a vital role in creating a partnership with families of its students. The school strives to create a community where its students coming from varied socioeconomic, ethnic, and family backgrounds, educate one another by mutual understanding and respect, openness of mind in dialogue, and acceptance of the uniqueness and limitations of all.

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School Counseling FAQ

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

  • Q: Do I need to make an appointment to see my counselor?

    Yes and no. The Counseling Department has an open door policy. We invite students to come in and see their counselor any time they feel the need. However, there are times when your counselor may already be meeting with someone or be otherwise engaged. If it is not an emergency, you may need to make an appointment for a future time.

    You can make an appointment with your counselor in several ways. Stop by the office and speak directly with your counselor to schedule a meeting, leave your counselor a note requesting a meeting or email them directly. Your counselor may make an appointment for you and send a pass through your homeroom teacher.

  • Q: What if I receive a pass to see my counselor when I am scheduled to take a test or quiz?

    Academics always come first! When you receive the pass, please stop by to see your counselor and let them know you won’t be able to keep the appointment. If you can, reschedule with them at that time.

  • Q: My parents would like to meet with my counselor. Do they need to make an appointment?

    Yes, we are happy to meet with parents; however, we request they make an appointment in advance. They can do this by phoning or emailing the counselor directly. A counselor’s day is scheduled around meeting with students and teachers and handling emergencies. In order to make the most of a parent meeting, we need advance notice to prepare and block out the appropriate time.

  • Q: What are La Salle Academy’s graduation requirements?

    Every student needs 25.5 credits to graduate, including four credits of Religious Studies and English, three credits of math; two and one half credits of social studies; two credits of a lab science and world language; one semester each of arts and computer science; and four years of Physical Education. The particular courses needed in each department are listed in the Course Catalog.

    Any class in which a student has received an F must be made up in summer school. All students must pass all courses and achieve 25.5 credits.

  • Q: What happens if I fail a class?

    Classes may only be made up in summer school, never during the school year. All failed courses must be made up in order to graduate.

  • Q: What is a transcript?

    Your transcript is an accurate depiction of your high school academic record. It shows each class you have taken throughout your high school career by grade level, with the final grade you received for the year. A transcript does not show quarter grades or exam grades. The transcript will show your grade point average for each year, as well as the weighted cumulative total.

    If you would like to see an unofficial copy of your transcript, contact your counselor.

  • Q: Can I talk to my counselor about non-academic issues?

    Of course. Counselors are specifically trained to handle a variety of issues. We are happy to talk with you about family, friends, emotional concerns, and anything else that might be on your mind. As school counselors, we cannot provide psychotherapy or regular one-on-one counseling that might be needed in some situations. We can, however, offer referrals to outside professionals who can provide appropriate services.

  • Q: What is your policy on confidentiality?

    Meetings with students are confidential; however, there are legal exceptions that require us to break confidentiality. If we have reason to believe that there is a clear and imminent threat (student harming him/herself or another person), we are required by law to disclose information or take other actions to protect those in danger. If we have reason to believe that a student is being abused, we are required to report this information immediately. Lastly, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed if a court issues a legitimate subpoena and determines that confidentiality is not privileged.

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