The Counseling Department is dedicated to each student’s success at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School.

The department consists of four counselors who are committed to meeting the needs of students in all areas of academic advisement, college guidance, personal counseling and support for students with special needs. With a low counselor to student ratio of 132:1, counselors develop important relationships with students and their families and help them on a path toward college and future success.

College Admissions Counseling
Throughout a student’s four years at SJND, the Counseling Department provides significant opportunities for students and families to become familiar with the college search and application process.

Ninety eight percent of SJND graduates go on to college, and college success is important at SJND. More than $2.69 million in scholarships and awards was offered to the Class of 2011, and the graduating seniors finalized their college choices to include the Ivy League, California's top universities and the nation's elite private universities.

Academic Counseling
Counselors monitor the academic progress of students and  help them schedule their course work, directing students toward appropriate enrichment opportunities and graduation requirements.Students are placed in courses through a combination of student interest, ability, college requirements and parental input. High-achieving students are advised to follow the Advanced Placement path of coursework, and other students are encouraged to try a range of honors and elective courses that reflect their interests and will appeal to colleges.

Personal Counseling
Adolescence is a time of growing independence, maturity and exploration of self. Counselors are fully trained in discussing and advising teens on all matters related to their successful development and maturation.

Special Needs Counseling
SJND provides educational support for students with qualifying special learning needs and documented disabilities.A learning plan with requisite accommodations, designed to enhance and maximize each student’s inherent abilities, is developed for each student who qualifies.A highly qualified, California- credentialed Learning Disabilities Specialist is on staff to provide educational support to students and their families and research-based teaching tools and strategies to faculty and staff.In the fall of 2011, SJND started an after-school program for qualified 9th and 10th grade students called the Pilot Prep Program.