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St. Mary's is dedicated to and provides resources for the support and academic development of each student. St. Mary's administration and faculty realizes life is complicated, and we embrace the responsibility to assist our young women in making meaning of their world.
Often we are asked how we make determinations about placement for our incoming students. This can indeed be a challenge with incoming freshmen coming from over 50 different middle schools throughout the Portland Metropolitan area, not to mention transfer students entering with varying high school experiences.
Once a student has been offered admission and has returned the Confirmation Agreement with the registration fee, we begin the process of registering her for courses. The family will receive a mailing with forecasting information and a course catalog listing all offered courses. Students will register for the core classes needed for graduation (as noted in the four-year graduation plans on the following page) and make choices for electives. The mailing will also include information about Placement Testing for math and foreign languages.
Later in the spring, a number of students will be asked to come to St. Mary's to test in foreign language and math. Students who have previously taken a foreign language and wish to continue studying that language at St. Mary's will be tested to determine the appropriate class level. Students who have taken algebra level math or higher in middle school will be tested to determine math placement based upon the St. Mary's math curriculum.
The TA Program provides each student personal contact with a teacher adviser throughout her entire four years of high school. This relationship enables the adult adviser to be available to motivate and support students in academic, co-curricular, and interpersonal arenas. Complementing academic counseling, the TA program is meant to assist students in adjusting to and becoming active members of the St. Mary's community. Meeting with students at least four times a week in groups of 15 , 20, TA time is used for communicating information, coordinating TA functions, class and school activities, and celebrating special events including birthdays.
LINK Crew is a transition program that welcomes freshmen and transfer students and makes them feel comfortable throughout the first year at St. Mary's. Built on the belief that students can help students succeed, junior and senior LINK leaders act as role models to motivate our newcomers in their discovery about what it takes to be successful in high school. This program begins with an orientation before school starts. Following the orientation are periodic meetings throughout the first year to discuss pertinent issues. This creates a supportive network of students making real connections with one another.
For students needing advice, counsel, or assistance, St. Mary's has the following resources available: two personal counselors, an academic counselor, a learning center, and campus ministry.
Learning Center
The Learning Center exists to help students improve their study skills and experience academic success. The center offers study skills classes, workshops, and individual assistance. Students in need of academic support may enroll in a study skills class with the approval of the Academic Counselor. All students may attend the workshops or come for individual assistance.
Art Rojas
- BA Spanish, Whitman College
- Teaches Spanish II and in the Learning Center
Academic Counseling
The Academic Counselor works with individual students who have special academic needs, requests, or concerns. Along with the Principal, the Academic Counselor coordinates the Learning Center — a resource available to any student who needs a study hall or assistance with study skills.
Christine Moller
- BA German, Math Ed., Purdue University
- Academic Counselor
Call St. Mary's (503) 228-8306 for more information or to speak with the academic counselor.
Personal Counseling
St. Mary's Academy's personal counselors are dedicated to being accessible and ready to help all St. Mary's students. They want to nurture and support students during their high school years. The Counseling Department strives to provide a holistic approach for students and their families.
Department services include:
- Short-term counseling,
- Family consultation,
- Parent support,
- Crisis intervention, and
- Support groups, as needed.
Anne Hagge, MSW
- BSW Social Work, Portland State University
- MSW Social Work, Portland State University
- Personal Counselor
Carol Shaffer, MSW
- BA English, Iowa Wesleyan
- MSW Social Work, Portland State University
- Personal Counselor
Call St. Mary's (503) 228-8306 for more information or to speak with a counselor.
College Counseling
St. Mary’s Academy has two college counselors who work with students and parents on all aspects of the college admissions process. Most of this work takes place during the junior and senior year through individual meetings, classroom presentations, and college nights for parents and students. In addition, over 100 colleges visit the school each year giving juniors and seniors an opportunity to talk directly with college representatives.
The college counselors provide information sessions for students and parents before the junior year. Each year parents of 9th and 10th grade students are invited to attend a college counseling information meeting, and students in these grades will have a college counseling presentation in one of their classes. Students take the PLAN (practice ACT) as a sophomore and the PSAT (practice SAT) as a junior. We find that students and parents often have early questions about the admissions process and their selection of classes and activities. Our general advice is that students should look for activities that they find enjoyable and meaningful and they should select courses that will provide an appropriate level of challenge. We are happy to talk with 9th and 10th grade students and parents about specific questions related to college admissions, course selection, and related issues.
For more details and information on college counseling at St. Mary’s Academy, please see the college counseling page within this website.
Call St. Mary's (503) 228-8306 for more information or to speak with a counselor.
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