Academics
College Counseling
Preparing for Higher Education
St. Catherine’s dedicated team of college counselors support students and families throughout the entire college search process, beginning in ninth grade and continuing through to graduation.
The College Search Process is a Journey
The search process is different for every student, which is why St. Catherine’s program is tailored to each student’s unique goals.
St. Catherine’s students are well prepared for higher education and are regularly admitted to many highly-selective colleges and universities. Our graduates attend Ivy League schools, large state universities, small liberal arts colleges, women’s institutions, art colleges and everything in between.
Each year, more than 100 colleges and universities send admissions representatives to St. Catherine’s to seek out our students. Our scholar-athletes are highly sought-after, and our aspiring artists submit portfolio reviews and audition for coveted placements in top art programs.
Our ultimate goal:
Help every student find a college or university where she will thrive and build on the strong foundation she built at St. Catherine’s.
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College Counseling Throughout the Upper School Experience
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Grade 9
Our college counselors meet with the freshmen as a group to introduce them to the process of self-discovery they will undertake as they evaluate their strengths and begin to form college and career goals. Freshmen will also take the PSAT for the first time to become familiar with the format of college entrance exams. Counselors begin building rapport with the students and discuss the importance of proper course selection. -
Grade 10
We expand on the foundation of self-discernment through group sessions and individual meetings with every student. Our college counselors introduce sophomores to career assessments to help them explore future options, and we discuss how colleges consider academic credentials. Sophomores also take the PSAT and a practice ACT, allowing them a better insight into how testing fits into their college journey. -
Grade 11
Juniors begin their college exploration in earnest and start to interact with their college counselor more frequently. Students meet with visiting college representatives in the fall, take their final PSAT and work with their counselor to plan for admission testing in spring. On our annual Junior Retreat Day, students undergo a mock admission committee review with visiting college admission professionals and visit local colleges to learn how to maximize their college visits. Finally, we help students begin to craft their college lists and help them discover best-fit schools that match their stated desires and personal strengths. -
Grade 12
The senior year kicks off in the summer with our Application Workshop, where we shepherd students through completion of the Common Application. Counselors guide seniors through the entire process, from essay review to application and testing plans to financial aid and scholarship guidance, and we are there to help students who choose to pivot from their initial college plans. Our goal is for all seniors to have the independence and self-confidence to tackle the application process and achieve a successful, affirming outcome.
Information for College Admission Representatives
We welcome your interest in visiting our campus and speaking with our students, and we will do everything we can to accommodate your visit.
We encourage college reps to arrange visits through the SCOIR visit portal. We offer visits on most days in the fall until Thanksgiving and during selected weeks in the spring. If the date and time you want appear to be booked, you may contact us at 804-288-2804 or collegecounseling@st.catherines.org.
St. Catherine’s School is a proud member of these professional college counseling organizations:
Located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, St. Catherine’s School is a private, all-girls pre-K, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school. We provide a well-rounded educational experience for girls from communities across Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico and all of central Virginia. St.Catherine’s all-girls educational experience is rooted in more than a century of history and tradition. From our revolutionary past to our dynamic present, St. Catherine’s has always focused on preparing students for a boundless future.
