At some point in your high school search process you might find yourself asking, “Why would I send my child to a college prep school? And is there really a difference between all of the college prep schools in Austin?” The answer is a resounding YES. While many schools can boast lists of college acceptances that represent the wide range of interests and levels of ambitions of their students, those lists don’t tell the whole story. St. Andrew’s certainly has that robust college list but the rest of the story is what we’re most proud of: we do college counseling differently.

Just as you are looking for a great match for your child in high school, we aim to help students find great matches for college. Our College Counseling Program is very personal: our student-to-counselor ratios are low (average 9:1) and the process is meticulously planned and thoughtfully executed. Because we have the ability to provide personal attention to each of our students, our counselors are able to recognize and recommend schools that are especially good matches for students. This goes above and beyond just “finding” the right college — our counselors are personal advocates for every student; writing letters of recommendation, serving both parents and students throughout the process and beyond. These personal touches are the differences; these are the valuable components of our program that cannot be easily duplicated.

How does it all work? We start early. After students get their feet firmly planted in the routine of high school life in ninth and tenth grade - which involves creating passionate learners, developing strong study skills, exploring different interests, and engaging in the life of the school community — they are ready for the next step toward college exploration. We begin our purposeful college prep work with juniors when they are developmentally able to think about college in a meaningful and tangible way. The college counselors help guide students and parents as they learn about a variety of schools, create a list of reasonable options, complete the application process, and select a collegiate program in which they can thrive. A great match is one in which the needs, abilities, and desires of a student are all met.

Our difference is a personal one. Each college counselor is personally invested in the success of your child not ONLY at St. Andrew’s but beyond. Our commitment to your child is long-term and St. Andrew’s College Counseling Program is intentionally designed to ensure that every student’s next big step in life is the perfect fit.