College Counseling
One of our goals, as a college preparatory Academy, is to prepare our graduates to take their place in the world as intellectual and caring young adults. With all of the Academy’s graduates attending college, much time and effort is given in the college counseling office to finding the correct match. We pride ourselves in partnering our students with the correct institution that allows them to attain the best education possible, achieve their highest potential and become empowered to better themselves and their communities. Intellectual excellence, as well as a strong moral base, prepares our graduates to be strong, centered individuals ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

In order to prepare our students for college, the Office of Guidance offers the following services:
-  Individual college counseling, including help with selection of a college, application requirements, and tracking of your applications
- Offer resources to help parents and students prepare to make choices about post-graduation plans
- Administer standardized tests such as Advanced Placement (AP) examinations and the PSAT, help students to get registered for the SAT and/or ACT, and guide students in course selection
- Arrange for college admissions officers to meet with our students in small groups throughout the year 
- Host College Information Nights for juniors and seniors
- Give access to information on pertinent college admission topics
- Guide families through applying for financial aid and provide information on how to receive scholarships

Click Here to see what colleges visited us this past fall.

In addition, it is very important for each college to understand who we are at Lacordaire. Click here to see the school profile that will be sent to all colleges to which our students are applying to. 
 
AP and College Courses
In order to prepare students for college admission, Lacordaire Academy offers both AP courses and college courses in Math, Science, Literature, Language, as well as Psychology and Education. College credit is given through Seton Hall University and Caldwell College. All college credits are transferable to other colleges and universities.

You may find the courses we are offering during the 2012/2013 school year by clicking here.
 
SAT Preparation
To further prepare our students to reach their highest potential, we provide our juniors with SAT courses built into their schedule.  Every week, students meet with a Math and English teacher for two hours to work on SAT preparation. The teachers work on Algebra, Geometry, vocabulary, reading comprehension and writing skills. Each class takes practice SAT tests several times throughout the year. The students are encouraged to recognize their strengths and to work on weaknesses with the help of the teachers. Many families have saved considerable money by making the best use of this opportunity to improve SAT scores.  
 
Nurturing the Spirit
At Lacordaire Academy a strong emphasis is placed on celebrating the spirit as well as the intellect and giving back to the community. Many opportunities exist for students to share their gifts and talents. These opportunities are as diverse as traveling to New Orleans to help those still recovering many years after hurricane Katrina to fund-raisers to benefit children’s charities and cancer research. We also nurture those within the school with our Big/Little Sister program, our tutoring program and our prayer services. 
 
Advisor Program
As soon as each student arrives at Lacordaire Academy they are assigned a faculty advisor. Advisors meet with their advisees weekly to guide course selection, monitor progress, lead advisor group discussions on important topics of the day or year, and generally serve as mentors. In addition, advisors serve as a strong liaison to parents, communicating regularly so that parents are informed about how their child is progressing.
  
Tutorial Periods
At Lacordaire Academy, we see each student as an individual and strive to meet the unique needs of that student. Time is allotted each day for students to meet as needed with their teachers to gain further understanding of subject matter. The teachers and students may meet in either of two tutorial periods built into each day, during mutual free periods or through e-mail contact. Additionally, our faculty utilizes the school’s website to provide updates on the syllabi, post homework assignments and provide instruction for long term projects.
 
Assembly Period
At Lacordaire Academy, we recognize that education does not simply come from a book. An assembly period is built into the schedule each week to ensure that our students can experience many aspects of a well-rounded education. The focus of the assembly period varies from cultural heritage activities, safety education, opportunities to help the community, featured outside speakers and fun activities, such as a faculty-student volleyball game. 

The assembly schedule can be found by clicking here.
 
Intersession
It is all too common for college students to switch majors in their junior or senior year. The reason most students cite for these late changes is that they did not really understand their career choices. These late changes can be difficult and often require an additional year of college and, therefore, another year of tuition expenses.
 
In an effort to give students greater insight into a variety of careers the Academy works with members of the community to offer an intersession week which allows junior  students to shadow a professional in their business. Our students have shadowed doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, school administrators, physical therapists, teachers and many other diverse professions.
 
Students learn about appropriate business dress, professional conduct in the work environment and the day to day work of a given profession. Each student is visited at least once during the week by a supervising teacher from the Academy. At the conclusion of the program, the students report their experiences to the school community.

This week is also a time when the other grades in the Upper School get to take part in one of many different projects that may interest them. 

Click here to see this year's Intersession Schedule.