Guidance

Palma’s experienced counselors are highly trained in academic guidance and are available to students throughout the day to address academic or personal concerns that may arise. These individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to their interactions with students, and each is adept at confronting the particular set of struggles that young people face in our society today.

In addition to providing a safe and confidential environment for students to discuss their personal and emotional needs, counselors especially work with each student on a consistent basis to assist in planning a course of study, with the ultimate objective of attending and succeeding in college. While Palma encourages all students to be proactive about their own academic experience, counselors oversee each student’s course load and assist them in making realistic and mature evaluations as they set and achieve their academic goals.

Palma’s counselors are an invaluable resource to students and their families as they navigate adolescence, academics, and also as they begin to prepare for the future. Counselors are advocates for our students, trusted members of the school community, and dedicated to the welfare of each young person on campus.

Careful and diligent academic planning is essential to each student’s readiness to attend the college of their choice. Palma’s guidance department works with administrators, teachers and individual students to create a course of study that meets, but more often than not exceeds, admission requirements for universities and colleges, while also bearing in mind the strengths, abilities, and interests of the individual. Counselors strive to help students set and achieve academic goals building on their successes to inspire a passion for life-long learning.

Palma’s guidance department recognizes the increasing and unique challenges and pressures that our adolescents face today. Counselors are available to offer support and guidance as well as resources to those students who wish to discuss a particular problem or concern they are confronting. As with any counseling relationship, there is an expectation of privacy afforded. Counselors provide a safe and confidential environment in which students may address their concerns, and it is the responsibility of the counselor to fully respect the right to privacy of those with whom they enter counseling relationships. Confidentiality in personal counseling relationships is upheld with the following exceptions; if the student is being abused, if the student threatens harm or is a danger to themself, if the student is harming or threatens to harm another, or if the student or another is in imminent danger. If an issue arises that seems to need more help than the counselor can provide, referrals will be made to appropriate licensed professionals in the community.

Palma is committed to not only preparing students to be successful in college, but also to assisting students in choosing a college environment that is right for them; an environment that will play to their strengths both academically and socially. It is the aim of the college counseling department to provide guidance, support, and information so that students can make the best possible decision about their future. Palma focuses on providing students with the tools and information they will need to find the college that will be the best fit. Counselors strive to provide extensive support and information, however, seniors are expected to take ownership of the college application process. By taking responsibility for this process, students take an important step in the transition into independent adult decision-making.

Mindful of our primary mission to be a witness to the love of Christ for all, Palma School admits students of any race, color, national and/or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the students at the school. Palma School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and/or ethnic origin, nor age in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. While Palma School does not discriminate against students with special needs, a full range of services may not be available. Likewise, Palma School does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of gender, age, disability, race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin. Palma School reserves the right to be a sole judge of merit, competence and qualifications, and can favor Catholic applicants and co-workers in all employment decisions, especially in those positions that have direct bearing upon the pastoral activity of the Church.