Student Success

The teaching of character development, good citizenship, and leadership begins with the youngest students at USJ and is stressed at all grade levels.

Lower School students have character education classes as part of their curriculum. The Advisory System in the Middle and Upper Schools offers students academic and personal support and provides opportunities for discussion to promote good character and a greater sense of school community.

Students learn in an environment of trust and responsibility. They do not need a lock on their locker, nor do they worry about leaving a backpack outside of a classroom.

Upper School students formed a student Honor Council to emphasize that student conduct is a matter of honor. Each year, students pledge to follow an honor code, which is predicated on the assumption that all students are honorable young men and women who have the right to be trusted.

Lower School

LOWER SCHOOL GUIDANCE PROGRAM

Children need social-emotional skills to thrive both in the classroom and in life. Social-emotional learning (SEL) curricula teach children techniques to:

Gain confidence
Set goals
Make better decisions
Collaborate with others in work and play
Navigate the world more effectively

Character education classes are integrated into our curriculum beginning at age two. Our guidance counselor reviews positive character traits with students and each month awards two students per grade who best embody those positive traits.

Middle School

MIDDLE SCHOOL counseling PROGRAM

Middle school is quite a unique phase in development, as most students are navigating a newfound independence, while dually gaining a greater sense of self, with added expectations that differ from Lower school. Middle school students often need extra support, as this is a huge time for both physical and emotional milestones to occur.

Building on Character Education lessons learned in Lower school, the Middle School Counseling Program aims to assist students in the areas of social, academic, and personal growth utilizing a threefold structure.

Social Growth

Social emotional learning involves developing interpersonal skills, as well as building relationships, strengthening friendships, regulating emotions, conflict resolution, well-being, and stress management. Lessons are taught during Advisory periods two times per month. The school counselor and Advisors facilitate conversation and group discussions focused on belonging and developing a sense of community.

Academic Growth

The school counselor coordinates all standardized testing. In addition, regular meetings are held with Jones Academic Center students, and with students who might require additional support with executive functioning skills, as well as time management, organization, study strategies, and planning.

Personal Growth

At the heart of the Middle School counseling program is the counselor’s dedication to mental health and emotional wellbeing. The counselor is available to meet with students individually and partner with parents to work on areas of adjustment and stress-management, problem solving, critical thinking, leadership, virtue, communication skills, and to provide general support to students.

Upper School

UPPER SCHOOL counseling PROGRAM

The road to scholastic success often runs parallel to college readiness. The Upper School Counseling Program represents the final stage of social emotional learning and is interwoven with skill development focused on the knowledge and behaviors students should have to develop a strong foundation for college.

Mirroring Middle School, the Upper School program continues with a threefold emphasis of social, academic, and personal growth.

Social Growth

Social emotional learning is a cornerstone to soft skills. Upper School Advisory lessons occur twice a month, and focus on communication skills, integrity, time management, healthy relationships, conflict resolution, flexibility, and emotional intelligence. Students also have the opportunity to examine life goals, learn leadership skills, and what to expect from college life.

Academic Growth

The school counselor holds regular meetings with Jones Academic Center students as needed, and with students who might require additional support with executive functioning skills, organization, study strategies, and planning. There is a greater emphasis on self-management, independence, and self-advocacy in areas of academic achievement.

Personal Growth

Upper school presents itself as a bridge to the adult world, and often the decisions that students must make about their current and future lives can be overwhelming.

The counselor is committed to supporting students and families throughout this time. She is available to meet individually as needed to offer a safe space for students to share concerns about themselves in a confidential manner. The health and safety of all students is paramount, so the student may be encouraged to share concerns with his/her family. If there are issues that would be better served in a more intensive counseling setting, the counselor may contact the student’s family with recommendations while always maintaining respect for their privacy.