Mission
Houston Christian High School counselors adhere to a Biblical model of counseling whose purpose is to guide and support students so that they develop their God given potential, culminating in successful college preparation and placement. Every student's educational, spiritual, emotional and physical well being is a priority. HC counselors have an open door policy which is meant to encourage students to frequently talk with their counselor about personal or academic concerns or simply discuss the latest news or sporting events. The counselors recognize their primary obligation for confidentiality is to the student, but balances that obligation with an understanding of the legal and inherent rights of parents and guardians.
One of the mottos in the counseling office is "college choice…more than a bumper sticker." When it comes to college guidance, HC counselors claim that no student can graduate from HC and honestly claim ‘I didn't know that'!
"The HC Counseling Department has been incredibly supportive and informative. As a parent, the counseling department has been a true blessing and most beneficial contact I have had with our school. Our counseling staff is friendly, professional, encouraging and dedicated to helping students increase in independence and find the right college fit. They are available to help with the academic bumps students encounter during their high school journey and help them navigate their way through the college application process. In addition, we sure do love and utilize the College Counsel Handbook. I encourage everyone to use this outstanding resource.
When I asked my college freshman daughter her favorite part of HC, she said, "I love the counselors and I had really great teachers.” I believe the guidance our family has received will have a long-term valuable impact."
- Gayla and Scott Thompson, with Adrianna (Class of 2012)
College Guidance
Counselors talk with students daily during classes, individual meetings, conferencing with students and their parents, and often conduct group meetings by grade level, known as the College Counsel meetings. Counselors continuously strive to provide up-to-date information to students and parents on college trends and instruction for being prepared for the college application process.
Representatives from colleges all across the U.S. visit HC each year for the annual College Day program, offering parents and students an opportunity to meet with college admission representatives. Numerous colleges make additional visits to campus (most often during the lunch hour) to give presentations to interested students and parents. Many resource materials are also available in the counseling office for parents and students.
For questions regarding counseling or college guidance, contact the counseling office at 713.580.6099.
- From left to right: Jan Pearson, Meagan Weaver,
Rolando Chaves, Carol Bartels, Karen Klasen
Contact Counseling
Jan Pearson, M.Ed.
Director of Counseling & College Guidance
713/580-6022
Email
Rolando Chaves, M.A.
Counselor & College Guidance
713/580-6017
Email
Carol Bartels, M.A.
Counselor
713/580-6093
Email
Karen Klasen, M.Ed.
Registrar
713/580-6019
Email
Meagan Weaver, B.A.
Counseling Assistant
713/580-6099
Email
The TI-nspire CAS is ok to use on the SAT. Its CAS operating system is similar to the TI-89, so wherever TI-89's are permitted, the TI-Nspire CAS calculators are permitted (PSAT, SAT, AP Exams). Since the TI-nspire does NOT have a QWERTY keypad it is permitted by the College Board. PLEASE, register ONLINE, if at all possible. Register online and receive immediate confirmation of registration and test center choice. Students without access to the Internet can register for the SAT’s by using the paper Registration Forms available in the Counseling suite or register by telephone at 800-SAT-SCOR. Be sure to work through the SAT practice booklet. Visit SAT's Website for test prep, etc. You may also send score reports to colleges and scholarship programs on-line or by phone! For $10 receive your scores over the telephone in 10 days. It takes about four - five weeks to receive results by mail. Call 1-866-756-7346. Sign up for The Official SAT “Question of the day” at www.sat.collegeboard.com.
ACT $50.50; www.act.org
ACT Does NOT allow “walk-ins” any more—you must register by the deadline in order to take the ACT
TI-inspire and TI-89 are NOT permitted on the ACT or on the PLAN. TI-84 or lower calculators are ok for the ACT. The ACT will be offered at HC in Sept, Dec, Feb, April and June —enter #215410 in block N of ACT registration form if you want to take the ACT at HC! ACT Test Website - www.act.org for dates, details about the content of the test, tips to prepare for the test, sample test items, and answers to frequently asked questions. You may register for the ACT by the paper form or online. After you have taken one ACT you may also register for additional tests by telephone (+ $10). You may also send Additional Score Reports (ASR) via online. ACT student or parent phone number – 319-337-1270. ALL HC students must take the ACT WITH WRITING each time they take the test.
Heads up: always send your test scores to 4 colleges (it’s free at time of registration) every time you take the SAT and ACT. Colleges use your highest test score. It does not matter if you submit 5 scores to a college because they will only use your highest/best score. Some schools will mix and match your test scores from different days (meaning they will use Critical Reading from one test day and a higher Math on a different test day). It will be one less thing you have to do as a senior. ALWAYS SEND YOUR SCORES!
College Readiness
College Counsel Handbooks
are available in the counseling office if you did not pick one up at our meeting this year.
For a great TIME article about College Admissions and myths click here.
Birkman First Step®
is designed for high school students to help them make quality academic, extra-curricular and career decisions. Houston Christian does group testing at a rate of $185.00 per student. Students receive printed personalized Birkman reports and meet as a group at HCHS for a 2-hour interactive interpretation by the Birkman consultant, Dr. Wendy Andreen, who will walk you through the results. Please contact Meagan Weaver, Counseling Assistant, with any questions or to sign up at 713-580-6099.
NCAA Eligibility Center
If you are interested in applying to get a scholarship with the NCAA visit this site and follow the steps. If you are an 11th grader you should have taken some steps already. NCAA Eligibility Site.
Kaplan TEST PREP
– TUTORING FOR THE SAT or ACT – one-on-one tutoring in your home for the SAT or ACT. Give them a call at 713-266-2772. Cost ranges from $499 to $2,300. Kaplan also offers classroom courses for SAT prep that are more affordable-$700-$800. Currently we have no classes set up for Houston Christian students, but please stay posted for Spring and Summer courses.
Naviance - Students and Families Login
ALL HC students must use Naviance for college applications.
The Houston Christian Counseling Department, as well as students and parents use Naviance, a college planning software package to enhance our college guidance service. Students or parents who would like to use Naviance immediately may email the registrar at kklasen@houstonchristianhs.org to obtain their registration code and general registration information.
http://www.naviance.com/
Do Seniors HAVE to take Gov/Eco? AP Euro versus Gov/Eco? Texas Uniform Admission Policy (UAP) If an HC student chooses to take AP European History instead of Government/Economics in their senior year, the student must then request an exemption as described below (if they are applying to state schools in Texas.) To be considered for admission to any public university in the state of Texas, applicants must graduate under the Texas Uniform Admission Policy (UAP, Texas Education Code 51.803-51.809). Texas students must submit a complete application and graduate with either the Recommended High School Diploma or the Distinguished Achievement Diploma which are offered by public high schools in Texas. All students at HC meet and surpass the requirements of these two diplomas when they graduate from HC with the HC Recommended or HC Distinguished AP Diploma. To claim an exemption for a Government/Economics course based on your test scores, your official SAT score must be at least 1500 (out of 2400) or your official ACT scores must meet ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks. If the official SAT/ACT scores you submit are at the appropriate level, you will be considered exempt from the requirement to graduate under the Recommended or Distinguished/Advanced High School Program, which includes a course in Government/Economics. If you are exempt based on your SAT or ACT scores, you do not have to submit an exemption form. Some applicants may be exempt if they weren’t able to take the course because of the following:
· If you had scheduling conflicts that made it impossible for you to complete the program or if the classes at your school were full, you might qualify for this exemption.
· To claim an exemption under this option, you must submit an exemption form signed by an official representative of your school.
THEA Test—SENIORS must take it if… The THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment) test must be taken by all seniors planning to attend a public or state college/university in TEXAS or if they plan to take a course this summer. THEA must be taken BEFORE enrolling in any college coursework. You may be exempt from taking the THEA if you have an SAT (Cr + M) score of 1070 minimum (with at least a 500 Cr and 500 Math) or ACT of 23 minimum (with at least 19 English and 19 Math). The exam is used to place students in appropriate college math and English courses. Students who plan to major in education or nursing and are in a private college must also take the THEA. Check with your college to learn their policy and see if they have other tests that can be used to exempt you. You may register or take a free practice test on the THEA Web site at www.thea.nesinc.com. The COMPASS TEST, given at HCC’s campus can be used in place of the THEA. The Compass Test can be taken Mon-Thurs from 9am-5pm. You must complete an online application to attend HCC & meet with an HCC counselor before you are allowed to take the Compass.