Counseling

The Holy Family Catholic High School Counseling Center builds relationships that impact student growth in three domains: academic development, career development, and social/emotional development.

Our guidance department supports a growth mindset that empowers students, encourages personal responsibility for future success, and advocates for their best interests, preparing students for life after high school.

Our guidance staff to student ratio is 1:140, considerably less than the Minnesota average of 1:743. The American School Counseling Association (ASCA) recommends a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250 (ASCA, 2015).

Academic Counseling

The counselors play a vital role in encouraging and supporting each student in reaching their fullest academic potential. Throughout the year, the guidance staff helps students develop academic goals and deal with any problems that may be interfering with academic success. Every spring, counselors meet one-on-one with each student to assist in selecting courses for the upcoming year. This allows our guidance staff to provide each student with a schedule that offers a school and life balance and challenges each student to grow academically and personally.

Personal and Social Counseling

The counseling department assists students in managing the emotional and social complexities of the adolescent years. There are a variety of personal counseling services for students who are having difficulties with personal or family dynamics. Our counselors help monitor students' mental health and engage in therapeutic techniques and tactics when and if needed. If you have a concern about your son or daughter, please contact the guidance department; they will work with parents to find outside resources when necessary.

College and Career Planning

Every student receives one-on-one advising throughout each year that supports their post-secondary plans and goals. Starting in their ninth-grade year, students begin the creation of college and career portfolios, expanding with new materials and resources each year. As counselors, we walk alongside students to explore areas of interest and make plans for post-secondary education or career selections. We assist students in creating an appropriate list of college choices and locating information about standardized tests, scholarships, financial aid, college visits, essays, and resumes in order to help students make their decisions.

Your college roadmap

Colleges and universities also meet with our students in the college center. Students can find a schedule of college visits in their Maia Learning account.

College Representatives

Holy Family Guidance Department hosts many college representatives to visit with our students every year. College visits typically run between 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. All students have a free period during this time that allows them to visit with interested colleges.

If you are a college looking to visit our school, sign up for a time to visit at www.maialearning.com (University Visits).

Accreditations & Memberships

Cognia
North Central Association of Colleges & Schools
National Catholic Educational Association
National Association of College Admissions Counseling
Minnesota Association of College Admissions Counseling
Minnesota School Counselors Association Minnesota Educators for Gifted & Talented
National Association of Social Workers
American School Counseling Association

College representative speaking to a group of high schoolers

Other Resources

Transcript Requests:
Alumni needing a transcript can find more information HERE.

HFCHS School Code: 242-548

HFCHS Test Center Code: 214760

Contact hfchs counselors

Joshua Rutz

School Counselor
(A-G) (Sm-Z)

(952) 856-1408

Jeremy Baldwin

School Counselor
(H-O) (P-Sl)

(952) 856-1412

Sandy Barger

Wellness Coordinator

(952) 443-4659

Ninth-Grade Parent Night

Date and Time: November 15, 2023 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Holy Family Performance Center

Holy Family Counseling invites parents of ninth-grade students to join them for Ninth-Grade Parent Night, "Beginning the Journey," as they share information about supporting your child in adjusting to high school and beginning to prepare for college.

College Planning Night

Date and Time: December 6, 2023 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Holy Family Performance Center

Hospitality hosted by Parents on Fire Committee after the event

This year's event will again feature a panel of expert college admissions representatives, as they'll talk about the college search process, timelines, and much more. A guided "Q&A" with the panel will be the evening's main event, and both students and parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to attend.