Holy Family » Wahlert Catholic High School » Counseling Office
Wahlert Catholic Counseling Office
Wahlert Catholic High School’s Counseling Office operates under
two paramount understandings.
Your student is always our priority.
We understand that the success your student achieves in high school is the foundation to which they experience success outside of our walls. This is why we work tirelessly to provide your child with the right tools, resources, and experiences to achieve their highest potential, both in and out of the classroom. Whether we’re meeting with your student for one-on-one college counseling or helping an entire grade level prepare for testing, our focus is on making sure all students are confident in their current and future academic endeavors.
We focus on developing the whole child.
Something even greater than the success that your child experiences in the classroom, are the levels of positive growth they experience over their four years with us. Our consistent focus and support of your child’s physical, mental, and spiritual needs through various opportunities, including one-on-one counseling, ensures that your child graduates as the best student - and person - they can be.
Our focus on the student as a whole, allows your child to graduate as the best possible student - and person - they can be.
Wondering what the next steps are?
Use the timelines listed below to help you gain the most out of your high school experience and make sure you're on track.
Prepare. Apply. Finance. Decide. Go.
See the links below for the 2021-2022 Course to College Guide, created by Iowa College Aid. This is an outstanding resource families can use as their student prepares, applies, finances, decides, and heads off to college. Take some time to look over this guide for more information about the college planning process.
- You made it to senior year! With that in mind, keep up the hard work. Colleges and universities you apply for will often request your full senior schedule and transcript to see how you have succeeded in high school thus far and what courses you’ve taken to challenge yourself.
- Join in on college and university campus tours. Be sure to check out college and university websites to get more information on how you can best register for and tour the top schools of your choice. Click here for great tips to ask admissions representatives during your next virtual or in-person visit. Stay tuned to ParentSquare for updated lists of visiting college admissions visits to Wahlert Catholic High School.
- Register for an upcoming college visit at Wahlert. Check Wahlert's weekly online newsletter, found on ParentSquare, for updated lists of visiting college admissions representatives to Wahlert Catholic High School. Students - keep an eye out for updates on your 12th Grade Support Hub (through Google Classroom).
- Click here to check out a great Campus Visit Checklist from College Board. Use this as a resource when planning out college and university visits.
- What tools help you stay organized? Planners? Apps? Calendars?
Find an organizational tool that works best for you, and utilize it throughout your senior year. As a senior, you will need to remember deadlines for applications, scholarships, college visits, financial aid, housing, and more.
- Clean up your social media accounts - colleges and universities are watching. Be hyper-aware of how you are presenting yourself on social media. Colleges and universities will often review an applicant’s social media platforms when they receive your application. While you at it, utilize social media to follow any college/university admissions offices. This can help you stay organized in meeting deadlines, as well as learning about college admission events.
- Register for and take the necessary exams, including the ACT and AP exams. If you would like to improve your ACT score be sure to sign up for the September, October, or (if needed) December ACT exams.
- Wahlert is offering a district ACT exam in the fall and spring for our juniors and seniors. The fall exam will take place on Tuesday, October 5th on campus. The spring exam will take place on Tuesday, March 29th, on campus. Registering for a district exam is very different from registering for a national exam – district exam registration is simply a payment submitted to Wahlert’s Counseling Office, rather than the online registration process that is required when registering for a national ACT exam. More information on how to register for this exam will be posted on ParentSquare for juniors/seniors and their parents.
- Registration for this national ACT exam, as well as other national exams offered in different area locations, is done completely online at act.org.
- If interested in taking the SAT, visit College Board’s SAT webpage to learn more about the exam and how to register.
- This year’s AP exam weeks will take place May 2nd-May 6th & May 9th-May 13th. Information regarding exam ordering will be shared on ParentSquare in October for parents. Please contact dlensen@holyfamilydbq.org if you have any questions regarding your student's exam order or the ordering process.
- Continue to narrow down your interests and abilities. What subjects interest you? Do these align with any college majors at schools you’ve been interested in or have visited? Narrow down your possible college majors. Never hesitate to talk to a school counselor if you need help figuring out the first step in the college planning process.
- In the fall, counselors will visit your classes to talk with all seniors in regards to graduation, college applications, scholarships, financial aid, etc. Feel free to ask any questions during that time, or schedule a time to meet with a counselor one-on-one after they visit your class. Counselors will meet with seniors individually to double-check graduation requirements and talk about the student’s college search.
- If you are an athlete and would like to play in college, be sure to check out the NCAA clearinghouse or NAIA webpages to apply for eligibility.
- Play NAIA Eligibility Center
Athletes looking to play at NAIA colleges must complete eligibility requirements. Please see Mrs. Katie Lenart, with Wahlert’s Guidance Office, for additional information on this.
- NCAA Eligibility Center
Athletes looking to play at NCAA colleges must complete eligibility requirements. Please see Mrs. Katie Lenart, with Wahlert’s Guidance Office, for additional information on this.
- Keep your timeline in perspective! By mid-October, you should have narrowed down your college search and started applying to the schools you are most interested in. You can find applications on the school’s website, and many use Common App to apply to several schools at one time. Stop by the Counseling Office to learn more about how to use Common App.
- The beginning of October marks the time period that parents should be thinking about and working on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This form is used to apply for federal student aid such as loans, grants, and work-study at both two-year colleges as well as four-year colleges. The FAFSA is the first step to receiving financial aid and must be completed for each year of college. Students can use the myStudentAid app, file online at fafsa.edu.gov, or request a printed form by calling 1-800-4-FEDAID. This form is very important for you and your parents to complete together so that you are able to receive student financial assistance. Contact Wahlert's Counseling Office with any questions or for additional information.
- Consistently check in with Wahlert’s online College Planning eBulletin Board for scholarship opportunities that have been sent directly to Wahlert to share with students. Stop by the Counseling Office with any questions regarding scholarships or financial aid information.
- Continue to achieve your highest GPA. Your high school transcript is something that will follow you throughout your college application process. Maintain good study habits and ask for help in your classes when needed.
- What is a high school transcript, and when will you need it? A high school transcript is a legal document that is proof of your high school attendance and graduation. This document lists all the classes you’ve taken and grades you’ve received during your high school career. Your GPA information, name, and address are listed on your transcript, in addition to Wahlert’s formal name and address. Once you graduate from Wahlert, your formal graduation date will be listed on your transcript, as well.
- Stop by the Counseling Office to request your official transcript to be mailed directly to specific colleges/universities or scholarship foundations. If you or your family need access to your official transcript for personal reasons, please contact Wahlert’s Counseling Office at (563) 583-9771.
- As a senior, you will complete a Final Transcript Request Form in May for Wahlert’s Counseling Office. The Counseling Office will then send your final transcript to your chosen college/university in June.
- If you are a senior who took a college course during your time at Wahlert Catholic High School through NICC, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Clarke University, Kirkwood Community College, etc. - you will need to contact that particular college's registrar office directly to have your college course transcript sent to your school.
The college planning process is as overwhelming as it is exciting. Above all things, keep the process in perspective and know that Wahlert Catholic High School’s Counseling Office will help you along the way. Please contact Wahlert’s Counseling Office, (563) 583-9771, with any questions regarding the information listed above.
- Continue to build your resume. Remind your student the importance of maintaining solid grades and study habits.
- Encourage your student to take challenging courses.
- In February, be sure to choose senior year courses that will challenge you and reflect your drive on a transcript.
- Keep in mind that Wahlert offers many AP and dual credit options for students to challenge themselves.
- Stay involved in school and community activities.
- Clean up your social media accounts - colleges and universities are watching. Be hyper-aware of how you are presenting yourself on social media. Colleges and universities will often review an applicant’s social media platforms when they receive your application. While you at it, utilize social media to follow any college/university admissions offices. This can help you stay organized in meeting deadlines, as well as learning about college admission events.
- Register for and take the necessary exams, including the ACT and AP exams.
- Wahlert offers a fall and spring district ACT exam on campus for juniors. Registering for a district exam is very different from registering for a national exam – district exam registration is simply a payment submitted to Wahlert’s Counseling Office, rather than the online registration process that is required when registering for a national ACT exam. More information on how to register for this exam will be emailed out to juniors and their parents in the upcoming months.
- Registration for national ACT exams (which happen on Saturday mornings throughout the state of Iowa) is done completely online at act.org. Loras College is currently Dubuque's local national test center.
- If interested in taking the SAT, visit College Board’s SAT webpage to learn more about the exam and how to register.
- Each year, AP exam weeks fall in early May. Wahlert's Counseling Office communicates via ParentSquare regarding exam payment and registration information. Please contact dlensen@holyfamilydbq.org with any questions regarding your student’s AP exam order.
- Purchase a planner to keep important college deadlines in mind. Designate a little time each week to dive into the college planning process.
- Do your research! Keep an eye out for helpful links and articles, like the ones listed below, that will help you get a vision for how to prepare for life after graduation.
- Iowa College Access Network
Check out the Iowa College Access Network's website (ICAN) for all things college and career planning. (Great videos!)
- Clever
Check out Clever to find specific careers and colleges based on interests. (Log in as "Student", enter "Wahlert High School", log in with Google, and click the navigator app at the bottom.)
- Big Future
Big Future is a great site to help students find colleges based on personal filters (size, location, major, etc.), in addition to great articles.
- College Planning eBulletin Board | Wahlert Catholic High School
Awesome resource for local and national scholarship information, as well as college events happening across the country (both virtual and in-person).
- Play NAIA Eligibility Center
Athletes looking to play at NAIA colleges must complete eligibility requirements. Please see Mrs. Katie Lenart, with Wahlert’s Counseling Office, for additional information on this.
- NCAA Eligibility Center
Athletes looking to play at NCAA colleges must complete eligibility requirements. Please see Mrs. Katie Lenart, with Wahlert’s Counseling Office, for additional information on this.
- “How to Choose Your Top College Priorities” | College Data
- “Academics Aside: 10 Factors to Consider in Choosing a College” | FastWeb
- “5 Ways to Find Career Ideas” | CollegeBoard
- “Words to the Wise College-Bound Parent” | College Data
- Join in on college and university campus tours. Due to COVID-19, most schools have adapted their visit days to be virtual. Be sure to check out college and university websites to get more information on how you can best register for and tour the top schools of your choice. Check out the links below for quick access to area colleges/universities and their COVID-19 updates. Click here for great tips to ask admissions representatives during your next virtual or in-person visit. You can also visit Wahlert’s online newsletter for a list of colleges and the COVID-19 updates they’ve made to their virtual visits and campuses.
- Click here to check out a great Campus Visit Checklist from College Board. Use this as a resource when planning out college and university visits.
- Register for an upcoming virtual college visit at Wahlert. Wahlert is still offering students the opportunity to visit with local and national colleges. Nearly each week, Wahlert’s Guidance Office offers virtual meetings in the Schrup Family Boardroom (next to the library) during Eagle Time A. Interested students are to sign up using Mrs. Lensen’s Eagle Time Google Classroom webpage. Check out Wahlert’s College Admissions Representative webpage for a list of upcoming college visits!
The college planning process is as overwhelming as it is exciting. Above all things, keep the process in perspective and know that Wahlert Catholic High School’s Counseling Office will help you along the way. Please contact Wahlert’s Counseling Office, (563) 583-9771, with any questions regarding the information listed above.
- Start your school year strong.
Every year of your high school career matters, but as you enter your upperclassmen years, really keep your school work and study habits a strong priority. Colleges and universities will look to your high school transcript to see how your grades have progressed over your high school career.
- Look over the interest inventory results from freshmen year to re-evaluate possible career plans using the online Clever platform. Clever helps students find specific careers and colleges based on interests. (Log in as "Student", enter "Wahlert High School", log in with Google, and click the navigator app at the bottom.)
- If you are an academically strong student, take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).
Although sophomores cannot qualify for the National Merit Competition, they can essentially take a “practice” PSAT to be better prepared for the PSAT and SAT junior year. The test also gives students insight into which AP courses they may be ready to take. Communication about the PSAT (how to register, cost, etc.) is often sent to students and parents in mid-September each year.
- Re-evaluate your four year plan and select courses for junior year with the help of your parent(s), guardian(s), mentors and counselors. Asking for help is part of the process in preparing for life after high school (and during high school). Never hesitate to ask for help from a family member, mentor, teacher, or school counselor. We are all here to help you succeed.
- Try your best to keep a balance in life. School, activities, homework, tests, and other responsibilities can feel overwhelming. See a Wahlert school counselor for strategies to help stay balanced.
- School Stress Management for Students of All Ages | Wake Forest University
- Reflect on what works best for you when stress tries to take control - Going for a walk? Reading? Praying? Meditation? Writing? Talking about it? Try your best to pinpoint the tools that best help you, and never hesitate to reach out to a school counselor for help with managing stress.
- Maintain good study habits. The foundation of a student’s success in high school starts with their freshman year. While also maintaining a good balance between school and personal life, always keep study habits and school work at the top of your priority list.
- Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) is a great resource for tips and techniques on how to make the best of your high school experience, including study habits, how to prepare for college, and college financial aid assistance.
- Continue to achieve your highest GPA and take challenging courses. Your high school transcript is something that will follow you throughout your college application process. Maintain good habits in regards to your school work and asking for help in your classes when needed.
- Challenge yourself with the courses you decide to take each semester. Schedule time with a Wahlert school counselor to discuss your options of taking college credit courses.
- Wahlert students have options when it comes to choosing how they want to take college courses during high school.
- Wahlert’s PSEO (Postsecondary Enrollment Option) program allows Iowa resident students to take college courses, either online or on college campus, at the University of Dubuque, Clarke University, and Loras College.
- Wahlert’s PICC (Placement in College Credit) program allows all students to take courses, either online or on college campus, through Northeast Iowa Community College. (NICC credit hour fees apply to PICC courses.)
- Wahlert’s dual credit courses are NICC classes taught at Wahlert Catholic High School for college credit. Examples of these courses include College Probability/Statistics and College Writing I & II. (NICC credit hour fees apply to dual credit courses.
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses offered at Wahlert Catholic High School allow students to participate in classes that have the potential to provide college credit if a student chooses to take an AP exam. Depending on a student’s AP exam score, as well as where the student plans to attend college, factors into if a student will be allowed college credit for these courses.
- Continue to think about your interests and abilities. Build your list of possible career directions. Interview adults in careers that may interest you. Set up a shadow and/or attend “Exploring” post meetings in the fall through Dubuque's Exploring Program.
- Begin to explore different colleges by using College Board Big Future. Big Future is a great site to help students find colleges based on personal filters (size, location, major, etc.), in addition to great articles.
- Join in on college and university campus tours. Due to COVID-19, most schools have adapted their visit days to be virtual. Be sure to check out college and university websites to get more information on how you can best register for and tour the top schools of your choice. Check out the links below for quick access to area colleges/universities and their COVID-19 updates. Click here for great tips to ask admissions representatives during your next virtual or in-person visit. You can also visit Wahlert’s online newsletter for a list of colleges and the COVID-19 updates they’ve made to their virtual visits and campuses.
- Register for an upcoming virtual college visit at Wahlert. Wahlert is still offering students the opportunity to visit with local and national colleges. Nearly each week, Wahlert’s Guidance Office offers virtual meetings in the Schrup Family Boardroom (next to the library) during Eagle Time A. Interested students are to sign up using Mrs. Lensen’s Eagle Time Google Classroom webpage. Check out Wahlert’s College Admissions Representative webpage for a list of upcoming college visits!
- Using your activities and service work list from freshman year, begin to build a resume. High school may seem too soon to start building a resume. However, the sooner you start to organize this, the more organized you are when starting to apply for scholarships and colleges. Resume templates and examples are available online to check out.
The high school experience is often as overwhelming as it is exciting. Above all things, keep the process in perspective and know that Wahlert Catholic High School’s Counseling Office will help you along the way. Please contact Wahlert’s Counseling Office, (563) 583-9771, with any questions regarding the information listed above.
- Review the results of your 8th grade assessments for areas of strength and areas of improvement. Reviewing your 8th grade assessment results is important because it will help you understand which areas you are strong and areas that need improvement. Reviewing ASPIRE test results also help with determining which classes might be right for you.
- Counselors will work with you on identifying areas of strength and areas of improvement that you can then apply to your daily experiences in the classroom.
- Design a four-year plan by using Kuder Navigator. Kuder Navigator is an online career planning tool that assists high school students in gaining a better understanding of what their future could look like, and how to get there. Use this tool to help you visualize your future. Mazzucchelli students complete this with Mrs. Dean in 8th grade. Click here to check it out. Find specific careers and colleges based on interests. (Log in as "Student", enter "Wahlert High School", log in with Google, and click the navigator app at the bottom.)
- Keep in line with Wahlert’s graduation requirements. Schedule an appointment with a school counselor to ensure that the classes you are taking, and will take, in your four years at Wahlert have you on the right track to graduation.
- Check out Iowa College Access Network’s (ICAN) video resources, including: Academic Planning | Making Your Four-Year Plan Work for You
- Choose sophomore courses with the help of your parent(s), guardian(s), mentors and school counselors. Asking for help is part of the process in preparing for life after high school (and during high school). Never hesitate to ask for help from a family member, mentor, teacher, or school counselor. We are all here to help you succeed.
- Get to know your school counselors - they’re here to help. Wahlert’s school counselors are here to help you with any questions you might have regarding the college planning process, as well as how to get the most out of your high school experience here at Wahlert.
- Feel free to email any of our counselors to schedule an appointment, or drop by Wahlert’s Counseling Office to speak with a counselor. Additional information about Wahlert's school counselors and staff can be found here.
- Try your best to keep a balance in life. School, activities, homework, tests, and other responsibilities can feel overwhelming. See a Wahlert school counselor for strategies to help stay balanced.
- Reflect on what works best for you when stress tries to take control - Going for a walk? Reading? Praying? Meditation? Writing? Talking about it? Try your best to pinpoint the tools that best help you, and never hesitate to reach out to a school counselor for help with managing stress.
- Maintain good study habits. The foundation of a student’s success in high school starts with their freshman year. While also maintaining a good balance between school and personal life, always keep study habits and school work at the top of your priority list.
- Start work now to achieve your highest GPA. Your high school transcript is something that will follow you throughout your college application process. Get in the habit now of maintaining good study habits and asking for help in your classes when needed.
- What is a high school transcript, and when will you need it? A high school transcript is a legal document that is proof of your high school attendance and graduation. This document lists all the classes you’ve taken and grades you’ve received during your high school career. Your GPA information, name, and address are listed on your transcript, in addition to Wahlert’s formal name and address. Once you graduate from Wahlert, your formal graduation date will be listed on your transcript, as well. At any point of your high school career, you can request your official transcript be mailed directly to specific colleges/universities or scholarship foundations. If you or your family need access to your official transcript for personal reasons, please contact Wahlert’s Counseling Office at (563) 583-9771.
- Start to think about your interests and abilities. Create a list of possible career directions, and start making a list of the activities and service work you have been involved in during high school.
- Iowa College Access Network
- Check out the Iowa College Access Network's website (ICAN) for all things college and career planning. (Great videos!
- Clever
- Check out Clever to find specific careers and colleges based on interests. (Log in as "Student", enter "Wahlert High School", log in with Google, and click the navigator app at the bottom.)
- Big Future
- Big Future is a great site to help students find colleges based on personal filters (size, location, major, etc.)
- College Planning eBulletin Board | Wahlert Catholic High School
- Awesome resource for local and national scholarship information, as well as college events happening across the country (both virtual and in-person).
The high school experience is often as overwhelming as it is exciting. Above all things, keep the process in perspective and know that Wahlert Catholic High School’s Counseling Office will help you along the way. Please contact Wahlert’s Counseling Office, (563) 583-9771, with any questions regarding the information listed above.
8th graders - use this list of advice and tips as you prepare for and start thinking about your freshman year at Wahlert Catholic High School.
- Stay involved! Being involved in extracurricular activities is just as important as staying involved in the classroom for both academic and mental health reasons. Use your 8th grade year to dip your feet into different extracurricular options. Are you interested in robotics? Foreign languages? Sports? Writing? Art? For a full list of Wahlert’s clubs and activities - click here.
- Don’t stress! Don’t worry about the unknowns of high school. Your school counselors are here to support you with any questions or concerns you may have. Near the end of your 8th grade year, you and your parents will meet with your mentor at Wahlert to select your courses for 9th grade. Your mentor is a Wahlert teacher who you will provide support throughout your four years at Wahlert Catholic High School. Take a look at Wahlert's course guide to familiarize yourself with courses offered.
- Stay focused! Thinking about your high school years is exciting, but it can feel overwhelming. Keep your focus on being the best student you can be as you prepare to leave middle school. Taking your journey to high school one day at a time is the best way to approach this important transition.
Above all things, keep the process in perspective and know that Wahlert Catholic High School’s Counseling Office will help you along the way. Please contact Wahlert’s Counseling Office, (563) 583-9771, with any questions regarding the information listed above.
Driver's Education Opportunities
For a list of driver's education opportunities, please access Wahlert Catholic High School's online newsletter for additional information and contacts.
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