
College Counseling
The College Counseling department at St. Teresa’s Academy provides a comprehensive and individualized program to assist students and their families in the college search, application and matriculation experience. In recent years, STA graduates have attended more than 60 different colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad.
STA maintains relationships with college and university admission offices throughout the country and around the globe, with more than 130 college and university admission representatives visiting STA each year to meet with students. Our dedicated college counselors regularly visit college campuses to learn more about offerings and meet with STA graduates. The journey to college is one of self-discovery, self-reflection, evaluation and exploration. Our college counselors assist families with building a college list, managing the application process, networking with college representatives, and providing resources for applying for need- and merit-based aid.
College Application Workday for Class of 2024
Monday, August 7
College Application Kick-off Night for Class of 2024
Wednesday, August 16
7 p.m.
M&A Auditorium – required event for seniors; parents strongly encouraged to attend
Catholic College Day @ STA
Tuesday, September 5
Activity 2
Class of 2025 College Planning Night
Tuesday, September 5
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Rockhurst High School
This is a joint program with Rockhurst and Sion, with various college planning sessions and speakers from around the country.
Kansas City Private High Schools’ College Fair
Wednesday, September 6
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Rockhurst High School Gyms
Attended by more than 140 colleges & universities. StriveScan registration will be sent directly to students
PSAT Test*
Wednesday, October 11
8 – 11 a.m.
Sophomores will participate virtually from home
Juniors will complete a digital exam at STA (charged device required)
Practice ACT*
Friday, October 27
8 a.m. – noon
Sophomores and juniors test on STA campus
Class of 2025 College Planning Seminars
TBA during free periods
This includes information on the college search process, ACT/SAT registration process, etc.
College Financial Aid Workshop
TBA
Virtual
*Tests are required and are considered school days for the grade levels noted
Debi Hudson, MA, CEP
Director of College Counseling
Debi has been with STA most of her career. In addition, she has college counseling experience with Rockhurst High School and the University of Tulsa Office of Admission. She is past president of the Missouri Association for College Admission Counseling and the Great Plains Association for College Admission Counseling, and a former Board Director of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Debi has presented at national and regional conferences and served on numerous committees at the regional and national levels. She has served on the reading committee for the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and multiple college admission advisory boards. Debi is a Certified Educational Planner and a member of the Board of Commission of the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners.
Bryan Smith
College Counselor
Bryan joined joined STA’s College Counseling team in August 2023. He is originally from St. Louis, where he graduated from St. Louis University in 2015. Bryan’s experience in education begin at MIT, where he worked for five years in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. It was there that he developed a love for working with students. Prior to joining STA, he worked at the UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management in undergraduate admissions and recruitment.
If you are an STA graduate and are in need of a transcript, you may request it online. For questions regarding transcripts/records of graduates, contact Kristie Carney, STA Registrar.
STA is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and fully endorses NACAC’s Code of Ethics and Professional Practices.
STA also holds memberships in the Missouri Association for College Admission Counseling, Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools, and the Character Collaborative.
STA students and parents utilize Naviance and Scoir, online college planning tools specific to the Academy. These allow students and parents to research colleges, search deadlines and requirements, analyze probability for admission, complete surveys and much more. Students register with Naviance and Scoir in their sophomore year. The Scoir platform also includes career aptitude assessments with On-Net Interest Profiler as well as our Advice Sheets on resumes, interviews, scholarship search and more.
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