Philosophy
The guidance and counseling department of Lauralton Hall focuses on supporting the whole student - academic advisement, college counseling, and holistic personal development. Lauralton's four counselors provide a support network for the students as they adjust to high school life and develop through the four years. Communication with parents is also a focus, with four parent meetings and workshops annually.
Click here for current news and announcements from the guidance counselors.
Structure
Each entering student is assigned a counselor who will remain with her through the four years for academic, personal and college advisement. Guidance focuses on:
Each entering student is assigned a counselor who will remain with her through the four years for academic, personal and college advisement. Guidance focuses on:
| 9th grade: | adjustment to Lauralton, study skills and communication techniques; |
| 10th grade: | decision making, peer pressure, life skills; |
| 11th grade: | self evaluation through values inventory and interest inventory, college search, preparation for standardized testing; |
| 12th grade: | college application process, transition to college. |
College Counseling
Through individual meetings and seminar classes, counselors work with students to find colleges and universities that match their academic achievements, personal strengths and preferences and career aspirations. During numerous meetings in the spring of junior year and fall of senior year, students are advised and supported throughout the college search and application process.
Through individual meetings and seminar classes, counselors work with students to find colleges and universities that match their academic achievements, personal strengths and preferences and career aspirations. During numerous meetings in the spring of junior year and fall of senior year, students are advised and supported throughout the college search and application process.
Additionally, Lauralton Hall subscribes to Naviance, a web-based college application and search engine. Beneficial to counselors, students and parents, Naviance has become very popular at high schools throughout the country, thus Lauralton is encouraging students and parents to use the Naviance “Family Connection” module regularly. Students are able to track their college applications, contact college admissions offices personally, receive information on specific college deadlines and other updates, participate in the school’s guidance department-designed surveys, complete the Myer’s- Briggs “Do What You Are” Personality Indicator test, add and build resumes starting from freshman year and access current PSAT, SAT, ACT and AP scores. Both students and parents receive registration codes allowing them to access “Family Connection” through Lauralton’s Naviance site. Students and parents each have their own “personal” webpage.
The Guidance Department has produced the Guide to College Admissions, a publication that is revised annually and for use by juniors and their parents. The current version, updated in January 2011 and including valuable information and tips about the entire college application process, was prepared for the Class of 2012.
An SAT test prep course is offered by at Lauralton Hall by First Choice College Placement. Please click here for details or to register.
This publication lists numerous websites that would be helpful to parents and students as they work through the college search and application process. Listed below are a few of the sites that seem to be particularly helpful and user friendly:
| Common Application with complete instructions : | www.commonapp.org |
| SAT registration and test preparation, college search and financial aid information: | www.collegeboard.com |
| College search information and applications: | www.collegenet.com www.collegeview.com |
| Free SAT preparation: | www.kaptest.com |
| Virtual college tours: | www.campustours.com |
| Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); government document required for all college financial aid: | www.fafsa.ed.gov |
| Financial aid and scholarship information: | www.finaid.com www.salliemae.com |
| Scholarship information: | www.fastweb.com |
| General information on college athletics; Information on teams in participating colleges: | www.ncaa.org |
| Information on initial eligibility for Division I and Division II college athletics: | www.ncaaclearinghouse.net |
Guidance Counselors
| Connie Tallman Department Chair |
203-877-2786, ext. 128 | ctallman@lauraltonhall.org |
| Susan Fracker | 203-877-2786, ext. 122 | sfracker@lauraltonhall.org |
| Yvonne Fosse-Previs | 203-877-2786, ext. 134 | yfosseprevis@lauraltonhall.org |
| Grace Mulliken | 203-877-2786, ext. 157 | gmulliken@lauraltonhall.org |
| Michele Cihal Guidance Administrative Assistant |
203-877-2786, ext. 138 | mcihal@lauraltonhall.org |