FAQ: College and School Counseling

Benilde-St. Margaret’s offers a comprehensive guidance program for each student, including personal and academic counseling, with emphasis placed on helping students plan for their future.

From the very first day every new Red Knight arrives at Benilde-St. Margaret's, a BSM counselor will be their partner through junior and senior high school until they graduate.

Learn more about the BSM College and School Counseling program.

Benilde-St. Maraget's provides a variety of counseling and preparatory services for students. For students and parents who want additional assistance or tutoring services, the BSM College and School Counseling team offers the following based on your students' individual needs.

Learn more about our tutoring assistance options.

BSM believes that all students benefit from a lifestyle that does not include the use of tobacco, alcohol, and non-prescribed drugs. The Student Support Team and the BSM Parent Association work together to develop services and programs that are offered in support of this belief.

A chemical health counselor is available at BSM for students and parents. This program includes personal counseling, support groups, and consultation with parents about their students. Faculty in-services and class presentations are offered upon request. Students may refer themselves or a peer. Parents may initiate contact directly and students may also be referred by teachers and administrators.

Contact our Chemical Health Counselor.

Each year, there is a mandatory parent meeting (Community of Concern) that summarizes the most recent data about the patterns of use of tobacco, alcohol, and non-prescribed drugs by BSM students.

The Student Support Team shares what we have been learning about our community and encourages parents to consider certain parenting strategies.

Resources are shared with parents and a chemical health counselor is available for students and parents, with information about BSM programs including personal counseling, support groups, and individual consultations with parents.

Learn more about our Community of Concern.

The BSM College and School Counseling team gets to know students, their interests, passions, and aspirations in life. Using their years of experience, the counselors match students with both academic and extracurricular opportunities at BSM which can help with a student's statement of purpose and application to post-secondary institutions.

Learn more about our process.

The Benilde-St. Margaret's College and Career Center is a resource center for both students and parents. The counselors and trained parent volunteers staff the College and Career Center and are available to assist our Red Knight families.

Approximately 200 college representatives who visit with interested students each year in the College and Career Center. The BSM team helps students match their interests with visiting representatives to learn about options available after graduation. BSM also offers an extensive selection of college-preparatory courses and each student's counselor stays in touch frequently ensuring a collaborative and informed decision making process before they graduate.

Learn more about our college resources.

The mission of BSM is to develop students in mind, body and spirit. One of the ways we work on mind and spirit is through groups. Support groups are used for several reasons.

• First, support groups are used as a way to prevent roadblocks to success from negatively affecting the personal and academic lives of students.
• Second, support groups are used to help students who are dealing with serious issues. Finally, support groups are used so that the student support team can keep on top of student issues within the school.

Learn more about the student support groups at BSM.

Benilde-St. Maraget's provides a variety of counseling and preparatory services for students. For additional tutoring services, the BSM guidance and counseling team has a list of companies and private tutors submitted to BSM or have been recommended by a BSM teacher or parent.

View the list of tutorial services.

1. Has been on an accommodation plan for one year or more
2. Has a current assessment (diagnosed or reconfirmed within last three years) from a doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist on file - This must be a comprehensive evaluation, and not simply a letter from a doctor.
3. Has been using accommodations on tests on a regular basis during the school year at BSM

View additional information and test accommodation application forms.

The BSM College and School Counseling team is available to meet with students about personal issues before school, during the student’s free period or after school. Students should not miss class to meet with a counselor unless they have a pass from the teacher of the class they will miss.

At Benilde-St. Margaret's, we see each student as a unique individual created in the image of God. This is reflected in the whole person care and services available through the College and School Counseling Offices at BSM. 

Parents can, and do, initiate contact with our team, arranging for meetings with our consulting psychologist and counselors based on a student's needs. Our staff does its best at all times to provide a nurturing and enriching environment in collaboration with our faculty and staff, encouraging physical, emotion, and academic wellness so that each BSM student can achieve their best every day.

As students grow and mature during the academic journey at BSM, the Guidance and College Counseling team is mindful of changing interests and needs.

Support services are available for students to maintain academic excellence, including tutoring services and learning support programs. Personal counseling, psychological, group, and chemical health services are always available during the school day based on student needs.

Benilde-St. Margaret's is committed to providing each student with a safe and welcoming experience while on campus. A student's right to privacy and confidentiality is part of the guidance and counseling experience at BSM, ensuring students can have open and honest conversations about topics and matters important to them. 

In the event of situations where there is a clear and present danger to the student and/or others persons, BSM counselors will take the necessary steps with the student's authorization.

The BSM College and School Counseling team helps students in a variety of situations, listening to the students and responding appropriately based on their needs. Available services include, and are not limited to:

• Personal Development / Wellbeing
• Chemical Health Counseling
• Group Counseling
• Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• Psychological Services

As new Red Knights join our community, the BSM College and School Counseling team provides opportunities to chat with them and share information about events and ways to feel at home while at school. Some of these events include:

• Freshmen Fridays
• Individual freshman meetings
• Transfer student chats
• Breakfast with counselors (for transfer students)
• 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade chats with new Red Knights

Fostering a school culture that values and honors each and every student - regardless of race, ethnicity, or ability - is paramount to Benilde-St. Margaret’s Catholic heritage and our mission to help young people thrive academically and spiritually. 

Learn more on our Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging section of this website.

While each student is unique in the amount of time needed to find their place at BSM, the members of the BSM Guidance and Counseling team is always available to answer questions or meet with students to identify opportunities in class or extracurricular activities they may want to join to make connections with classmates or other students.

On average, new students hit their stride at BSM within the first two weeks, and by the end of the first month are actively involved in life at BSM. Follow-up conversations are always available to ensure a positive and enriching experience for every BSM student.

Classes begin each day at 8 a.m. and conclude at 2:35 p.m. On Mondays through Thursday, students follow a block A/B schedule and an 8 period schedule on Fridays.

View this year's bell schedule for details about length of each class, lunch times, and alternate schedules.

Spring welcome gathering

Roundup

other events/activities to make families feel welcome and part of the BSM community.

Benilde-St. Margaret's is committed to providing each student with a safe learning environment where they can learn, grow, and be themselves at all times. This comes in many forms, always grounded in the Catholic values of respect, compassion, and acceptance. Students are expected to model kindness and remember we are in the holy presence of God and called to love our dear neighbor without distinction. 

Every year BSM hosts a College Fair and all current juniors are required to attend as a part of their Building Your Future portfolio, and all other BSM students and parents are welcome to attend. Approximately 125 college and university representatives come every year to talk with prospective students and parents. They answer questions about the college admissions process and provide information about their particular college or university.

Learn more about this year's College Fair.

The BSM College and School Counseling team meets with each student on a regular basis during their time in high school, exploring their academic and extracurricular interests, identifying activities and programs like EPIC for real world experience and finding the right fit for life after high school.

Based on the experiences in class and in the specialized programs offered at BSM, the counseling team then works with each student to identify colleges and universities which have the right program and degrees to suit their interests and family's financial means upon graduation. 

During the high school career of each BSM student, the College and School Counseling team will walk through a series of steps, managing the student's expectations and necessary action items to prepare for life after high school. This includes:

• Fall Senior Meetings
• National Association for College Admission Counseling Virtual College Fairs
• College and PSAT Meeting for Juniors 
• College Planning Webinar for Parents of Sophomores
• Building Your Future Day for Juniors
• SAT / ACT tests
• AP exams

Review a complete schedule of college planning dates for this school year.

Each year, there are a variety of opportunities offered by the BSM College and School Counseling team for families to apply for eligible scholarships to offset the cost of a college education.

• In September, there is a meeting for parents of seniors about financial aid and scholarships
• The Financial Aid Newsletter is distributed five times during the year to seniors
• The Guidance and College Counseling team sends an email to specific student groups meeting scholarship criteria
• A scholarship workshop is held each fall

For more information about these and other scholarships opportunities, please contact XXX