The transition from middle to high school is a pivotal time for students, developmentally and academically. High school guidance begins with connection and continues with care. Our high school guiidance counselor provides individualized support, focusing on each student’s personal hopes, academic needs, and each family’s individual circumstances.
Beginning in 7th grade, there are informal, as well as structured and one-to-one opportunities to provide parents, and later students, with information about the admissions process. Families hear from parents who have successfully navigated the process and secured spots for their children at a range of public, independent, and faith-based schools. Mindful of wanting students to finish the year strong and enjoy their upcoming summer, we begin with an informal orientation for students toward the end of 7th grade and provide recommendations for schools they might explore over the summer.
Moving into 8th grade, we shift from parent education to supporting students directly. The high school guidance counselor, head of middle school, and the middle school counselor meet weekly with students in High School Seminar, as well as informally during the week. They prepare students for school visits, practice interview skills, explain the different application processes, support essay development, and promote a lot of self-reflection. The high school guidance counselor works closely with students to harness what they have learned about themselves as learners and works with them to tap into their strengths and embrace opportunities for continued growth.
Throughout the year, the high school guidance counselor maintains communication and supports each family, as needed. This connection and care continues through their final decision, once acceptances are released in March.
Where do SFS graduates go?
SFS takes great pride that graduates attend a wide variety of high schools and colleges, each reflecting individual student's academic and personal needs and hopes. Graduates leave SFS prepared, confident, enthusiastic, and ready to develop their unique pursuits.
Our graduates are currently enrolled in the following schools:
- Archbishop Riordan High School
- Bay School of San Francisco
- Berkeley High School
- College Preparatory School
- Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences
- Design Tech High School
- Drew School
- Gateway High School
- George Washington High School
- Head-Royce School
- International High School
- Lick-Wilmerding High School
- Los Altos High School
- Lowell High School
- Marin Academy
- Milton Academy
- Nueva School
- Orange County School of the Arts
- Ruth Asawa School of the Arts (SOTA)
- Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
- San Francisco University High School
- St Ignatius College Preparatory
- Urban School of San Francisco
- Waldorf High School
- American University
- Bard College
- Berklee College of Music
- Boston College
- Brown University
- California State Universities, various
- Colgate University
- Cooper Union
- Dartmouth College
- Haverford College
- Howard University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Lewis & Clark College
- New York University
- Northeastern University
- Oberlin College
- Occidental College
- Parsons School of Design
- Pitzer College
- Pomona College
- Princeton University
- Stanford University
- Tulane University
- Tufts University
- University of California, various
- University of Chicago
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Southern California
- University of Washington at Seattle
- Washington University in St.Louis
- And many more!