STUDENT SERVICES
The mission of Aquinas Catholic Schools Counseling Program is to enable all students to acquire the academic, personal/social, and career standards necessary to function and contribute to the good of the Church and the world.
The School Counselor's Role
A School Counselor is…
A person specially trained to help students realize their full potential. Aquinas High School Counselors have a minimum of a Master’s Degree in counseling and are licensed by the state of Wisconsin.
Links to:
Wisconsin School Counselor Association http://www.wscaweb.org/
American School Counseling Association http://www.schoolcounselor.org
Counselors offer support to assist students to…
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Explore options in career, academic, and personal areas
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Clarify insight about what is controlling thoughts, and behaviors
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Explore alternatives
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Make decisions
Goals of Counseling…
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To provide a respectful, responsive service for every student
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To provide confidential support to all students
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To help individuals understand and appreciate diversity and uniqueness of self and others
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To demonstrate cooperation with all individuals in a variety of situations
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To develop skills to promote positive change
Our Student Services Team
Academic Resources
See the teacher first:
Students are encouraged to speak with their teacher first for clarification of course work. Often additional time for asking questions, explanation of concepts, or practice with the teacher present can be enough to get the student on the right track again. Ask your teacher for an appointment either before or after school, during a study hall or lunch period, or during the Resource period of Extended Learning Weeks.
Academic Resource Room:
A special study hall room is available from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 7:30 to 3:30 on Fridays. The Academic Resource Center is supervised by two licensed teachers. Students may drop in for tutoring or to ask questions. The Academic Resource Room may also be permanently assigned as the location for a student's study hall.
Peer Tutors:
Peer Tutors volunteer their time during a study hall to help fellow students. Availability of Peer Tutors is limited and dependent on finding someone able to tutor the right subject while free the same study hall.
Study Group:
We encourage the formation of Study Groups. These are peer arranged and member-led groups of students from the same class who meet to discuss class concepts, study for exams, and challenge each other. Sometimes Study Groups meet regularly throughout the semester and other times they are formed to prepare for exams.
Credit Recovery:
Credit is earned on a semester basis. Credit recovery is necessary if a student does not pass a semester or more of a required course.
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Students may retake the course the following year.
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Students may be referred to Western Technical College for an evening or summer course depending on availability of the class needed.
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With preapproval, students may take an online course and transfer the credit to fulfill a recovery of credit for graduation.
Please contact your High School Counselor for more information.
Helpful Websites:
Study Skills and Learning Styles - www.studygs.net/
Homework help - www.bjpinchbeck.com & www.factmonster.com
Academic & Career Planning (ACP)
What is ACP?
​It is a student-driven, adult-supported process in which students create and cultivate their own unique and information-based visions for post-secondary success, obtained through self-exploration, career exploration, and the development of career management and planning skills. The range of formal ACP begins in Grade 6 and goes through grade 12 (state requirement starting in 2017).
ACP in Wisconsin: Implementing Academic and Career Planning Guidebook
Career Information
Xello
Aquinas High School is pleased to provide all students with access to Xello.
Xello is an online college and career readiness program used by schools and districts to help students prepare for their future. It is designed for students from kindergarten through high school and was formerly known as Career Cruising.
Key features of Xello:
Self-discovery: The program encourages students to record and reflect on their strengths, skills, and interests to better understand themselves.
Career exploration: It provides engaging content to help students explore a wide range of career and post-secondary options that align with their personal profiles.
Personalized plans: Students can create personalized plans for their academic and professional paths, which they can adapt as they gain more knowledge and experience.
Administrative tools: The software includes tools for educators and counselors to track student progress, manage administrative tasks, and organize learning plans.
Academic and career portfolios: Many states, including Wisconsin, use Xello to help students develop and maintain academic and career portfolios starting in middle school.
K-12 solution: Xello offers a comprehensive solution with tailored content and activities for students at every age and stage of their education.
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Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/
This site is used for exploring career choices. It includes information relating to specifics of an occupation, the nature of the work, training required as well as outlook and earnings predictions.
ACT & SAT Information
There are two basic college admissions test, the ACT and the SAT. Students typically begin taking college admissions tests in the fall of their junior year. Most students elect to take either or both of the tests more than one time.
ACT and SAT Pre-Tests
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Students take the ACT Aspire test in the spring of 9th and 10th grades. Information about the test can be found at http://www.discoveractaspire.org/.
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The ACT with writing is offered to all junior students at a discounted rate. This all junior testing day occurs in the Spring.
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PSAT: The PSAT is offered to interested sophomore and junior students on the national PSAT testing date in October. It is optional and there is a fee of $20. The PSAT is used to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation if taken during a student’s junior year.
ACT website: www.act.org
SAT website: www.collegeboard.org
Test Prep​
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Transcript Request Instructions
All Aquinas High School transcripts will be processed through Parchment. Please click on the link below to begin:
http://www.parchment.com/
Here is the process:
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First time users set up account. You can retrieve your access code from the Aquinas High School Main office.
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Select the destination for your transcript(s).
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Parchment will immediately notify Aquinas High School of your request.
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Aquinas High School will review, approve, and process your order.
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You will be notified by email and can track your order online.
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Paying for College
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Scholarship Information
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For up-to-date scholarship information, AHS students should check their "Student Services, class of" google classroom. This is updated regularly as scholarships come available.
Aquinas High School Senior Scholarship Information
Financial Aid Information
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http://fafsa.ed.gov - official FAFSA site
Reciprocity
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​http://www.heab.state.wi.us/reciprocity/index.html - Wisconsin residents will pay in-state tuition costs while attending Minnesota public universities and colleges.
http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/ - Minnesota has agreements with neighboring states to provide lower tuition for Minnesota residents to attend public colleges and universities in those states.
http://msep.mhec.org/ - The Midwest Student Exchange Program, or MSEP, is a multi-state tuition reciprocity program.