Academics

Counseling and College Guidance

Individualized Support

Houston Christian High School offers a comprehensive counseling program that strives to challenge and encourage students to grow into young men and women of strong Christian faith, high academic achievement, and moral responsibility.

Houston Christian counselors practice an open-door policy and welcome drop-in visits by students or parents, as well as scheduled appointments to discuss emotional, spiritual, social, or academic concerns that arise during the year.

College counseling at Houston Christian is active, intentional, and individualized, beginning in ninth grade and continuing through the end of senior year. Students and parents are provided with the tools to navigate the increasingly competitive and complicated college application process by offering individual and group meetings, visits with college representatives, an annual college tour, workshops for parents and students, and individual advising on all aspects of the college search and application process.

College counseling at Houston Christian aims to help each student find the right college fit by guiding students and families one-on-one through every step of the college admissions process. Our support is proactive and personalized, which enables students to take ownership of the college transition process.

Counselors are familiar faces to the student body at Houston Christian!

Counseling Events 2023-2024

List of 7 items.

  • College Rep Visits

    Ongoing - Fall and Spring Semesters
    Fall visits are ideal for students who want to learn more about particular colleges to determine their level of interest and plan a campus visit. Seniors are strongly encouraged to attend which helps with making a college choice. The visits take place on campus during lunch and parents are welcome to attend. 
  • College Day

    Tuesday, October 3, 2023,  @  9:00 AM - 11:00 AM  100+ colleges are on the HC campus to visit with students and parents.  This is a don't-miss event.
     
     
  • PSAT Test

    PSAT Wednesday, October 11, 2023, for 10th and 11th grade students.  Grace day for 9th and 12th grade students.
  • PACT Test

    Pre-ACT is on Janaury 17, 2024, for 9th and 10th grade students.  Grace day for 11th and 12th grade students.
  • Mock Admission Event


    Thursday, March 21, 2024 (7-8:30pm)

    Houston Christian High School is proud to host a Mock College Admissions Event here on campus for all to attend. Avoid confusion and false information about the college application and admission process by attending this fun and interactive evening where students and parents serve on a fictitious college admission committee. Your task will be to evaluate four applicants and agree on which student to accept, deny, waitlist, and award a scholarship. You will review applicant files consisting of an application, transcript, essay, recommendation letters, resume, and test scores.

    The evening will be led by college admission Directors and Officers from several affluent universities. College and universities who will participate will be revealed at a later date.

    Parent Review: "As a parent, this event is one of the best things we have attended in our time at Houston Christian. Everything from the college admissions guests, to the mock applicant files, to the breakout groups was well coordinated. Carol also expertly facilitated a dynamic group conversation that was largely dominated by enthusiastic HC students. The material was so engaging, our family continued the dialogue later that evening back at our house. So, thanks to your team for providing such an exceptional event."
  • College Counsel Meeting for Parents

    You’re invited to the annual College Counsel Meeting! 

    Carol Bartels, Director of Counseling and College Guidance, will present essential information regarding the next steps for you and your student’s college process. Much has changed as a result of COVID-19 and you will benefit from knowing what your student will face and experience. Updates on current admission requirements, costs, statistics, and finding the “best fit” will be discussed. Please attend only 1 meeting for your student’s grade level. We will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and end by 12:15 p.m. or 8:15 p.m., respectively. 

    Families will receive the updated HC College Counsel Handbook, Vol 22. You are welcome to invite non-HC families. (HC students will receive this information at an assembly in April).
     
    More information to come with the dates for the 2023-2024 school year.

  • AP Testing

    2024 AP Test Schedule
    Test Dates will be published soon!
    AP exams are required of all HC students who are enrolled in an AP course. 

Counseling & College Guidance Staff

Carol Bartels 
Counseling Director
cbartels@houstonchristian.org
Concordia University - B.S.
Liberty University - M.A.
University of Houston - M.A.
Dedra Arthur 
Counselor
darthur@houstonchristian.org
Prairie View A&M - B.A. 
Texas Southern University - M.S.
Capella University - M.S.
Sara Horelica 
Counselor
shorelica@houstonchristian.org
University of Texas - B.A.
University of Houston - M.Ed.
Loretta Ramirez 
Registrar
lramirez@houstonchristian.org
University of Houston - Victoria - B.B.A.
Amanda Redd 
Counseling Assistant
aredd@houstonchristian.org
Texas Tech University - B.S.