Guidance

The mission of the Guidance Department is to help every young man to discover and develop the talents and gifts that God has given him. The Guidance Department at Christian Brothers Academy seeks to meet the needs of its students in a number of ways. As freshmen, students are continuously encouraged in their academic pursuits. A year of transition, freshman year sets the stage for four years of success. Topics that are dealt with include study habits, time management, extracurricular involvement, and social adjustment. Counselors encourage freshmen to set and work toward various goals—both academic and non-academic—as they make their way through CBA.

As sophomores, the focus is continued on academics and the encouragement of joining any of the many activity or sports opportunities the school offers, especially if this has not been encouraged in freshmen year. During the student's sophomore year, counselors assist students in building on the momentum gained during their freshman year, or in making the changes necessary to achieve greater success. After the students take the PSAT, each student meets with his counselor to discuss his performance and to talk about ways in which the student can improve on the skills needed to score well on the PSATs and the SATs in their junior year. Sophomores are advised to think in terms of long-term goals so that the transition into junior and senior year is paved with good decisions that can be highlighted on their resumes for the college application process.

As students continue through their junior and senior years at the Academy, their counselors focus primarily on the college application process, which is thoroughly explained, as well as encouraging visits and interviews with many colleges and universities. In addition to these standard meetings with students, counselors are also available to meet with parents and students as needed. Each young man is treated as the unique person that he is, and is guided in the best possible way for his needs and concerns. The student is encouraged to seek information, examine alternative routes of action, and assume responsibility for making his own plans and decisions.