Counseling Services

Immaculate Heart has numerous resources to support the academic, social, emotional and physical well-being of our students. The middle school has two full-time counselors and the high school has five full-time counselors who are highly qualified to provide services in the areas of academic, personal, career and college counseling. Counselors work as a team, in collaboration with parents and teachers, to help students achieve their potential both personally and academically during their years at Immaculate Heart and beyond.

Virtually 100% of Immaculate Heart's graduates go on to college immediately after graduation, many to some of the most prestigious institutions in the country. The members of the counseling department are well-versed in the process of matching students with colleges that will help them to pursue their interests and achieve their goals.

Middle School Counseling

List of 5 items.

  • Individual Counseling & Student Planning

    At the beginning of each school year, the academic counselor meets with students to help prepare them for a smooth transition into a new grade. Students then meet with the academic counselor quarterly to discuss setting goals and class progress. Individual meetings offer students an opportunity to express concerns and work toward positive academic, personal, and social development.
  • Small Group Counseling

    During group sessions, the academic counselor meets with a small number of students (typically 4-6 students) about an issue, such as study skills or stress management. Students discuss and develop ways to work through these areas of concern. The academic counselor facilitates group discussions, ensuring a supportive and productive environment.
  • Study Hall & Homework Club

    A weekly study hall period provides resources to help students better understand concepts presented in class. Students have the opportunity to develop study and organizational skills using a collaborative learning approach. Students are also able to use this time to make appointments with their teachers & counselors.

    Homework Club is also offered twice a week after school for students. Students are provided a quiet space to work on independently work on homework or study for upcoming assessments.
  • Classroom Guidance Sessions

    The academic counselor helps to organize and coordinate classroom guidance sessions to help students gain an awareness of self, others and the world around them. Topics include: character education, respect, responsibility, conflict resolution and the school’s Honor Code.
  • Grade Level Activities

    Middle school students are given many opportunities to meet and connect with other students within and outside their grade level.  A variety of school activities & events allow students to make  connections with each other.  Students encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and build positive relationships and create long-lasting friendships. 

High School Counseling

List of 4 items.

  • Individual Counseling & Planning

    Academic counselors track each student’s progress, focusing specifically on those students who are having academic difficulty in one or more of their classes and/or students who are on Academic Review. Additionally, the counselors help students plan their four-year programs, advise them about summer school options and the testing needed for college admission, and assist them in preparing for the college selection process. Parents are encouraged to contact their daughter’s academic counselor when questions or concerns of an academic nature arise. 
  • Group Counseling

    Academic counselors in the high school coordinate class and small group meetings with students to discuss strategies for student success.
  • Tutoring

    Our Math department helps students who may need additional support through individual meetings as well as tutoring sessions through the high school's Math Lab. Students have the opportunity to review concepts and class material with peer tutors and teachers.

    Our English department also hosts a Writing Center that provides extra assistance in the writing and editing process for students. Typically, meetings and tutoring sessions are held after school.
  • College & Career Counseling

    Our counselors help students plan their four-year programs, advise them about summer school, enrichment options and the testing needed for college admission, as well as assist them in preparing for the college selection process.

    Intrinsic to Immaculate Heart's mission as a college preparatory school is the preparation of students to be admitted to and successful at the colleges and universities of their choice. To this end, the school offers a rigorous curriculum complemented by a wide range of extracurricular activities with abundant opportunities for leadership and service. As Immaculate Heart students grow intellectually, spiritually, morally and socially, they learn about themselves and set goals for the future.
     
    Preparation for college begins in the freshman year, and continues under the direction of the college counselors who guide students as they build the solid academic foundation necessary for success in college and beyond. The counselors meet with sophomores, juniors and seniors during special activity periods and also hold college information evenings for their parents.

    In the second half of the junior year, one-on-one counseling helps students in their search and selection of colleges of interest to them. In the senior year, students are assisted by the college counselors in finalizing their lists of prospective institutions and are walked through the application processes for college admission, scholarships and financial aid.

    School Code: 051625

MS Academic Counselors

List of 4 members.

  • Photo of Michelle Gonzalez

    Michelle Gonzalez 

    Assistant Principal, MS Admissions, Director of Academic Counseling
    California State Polytechnic University, Pomona - BS
    University of La Verne - MA
  • Photo of Lynn Gilmour

    Lynn Gilmour 

    Academic Counselor - 8th
    Pepperdine University - BA
    California State University, Northridge - MS
  • Photo of Eleanor Howell

    Eleanor Howell 

    Academic Counselor - 6th
    San Diego State University - BA
    California Lutheran University - MS
  • Photo of Suzanne Keogh

    Suzanne Keogh 

    Academic Counselor - 7th
    Loyola Marymount University - BA
    Mount St. Mary's University - MS

HS Academic Counselors

List of 7 members.

  • Photo of Kristy Suzuki

    Kristy Suzuki 

    Counseling Department Chairperson
    University of Southern California - BA
    Michigan State University - MA
  • Photo of MJ Bautista

    MJ Bautista 

    Academic/College Counselor
    University of California, Irvine - BA
    Woodbury University - MA
    California Lutheran University - EdD
  • Photo of Carla Cotton

    Carla Cotton 

    Academic Counselor (Grades 9 & 10)
    University of Southern California - BA
    University of Southern California - MA
  • Photo of Anthony Leonard

    Anthony Leonard 

    Learning Specialist
    North Carolina Central University - BS
    North Carolina Central University - MEd
    Johns Hopkins University - MEd
  • Photo of Jennifer Miller

    Jennifer Miller 

    Interim Learning Specialist
    California State University, Northridge - BA
    University of Southern California - MSW
  • Photo of Abby McCrate

    Abby McCrate 

    Academic/College Counselor
    Bowling Green State University - BA
    Breadloaf School of English, Middlebury College - MA
  • Photo of Alessandra Molina

    Alessandra Molina 

    Academic Counselor (Grades 9 & 10)
    Loyola Marymount University - BA
    Loyola Marymount University - MA

Immaculate Heart High School & Middle School

5515 Franklin Avenue • Los Angeles, California 90028
phone: (323) 461-3651 • fax: (323) 462-0610
A Catholic, independent college preparatory school for girls in grades 6 through 12, Immaculate Heart has been located on a beautiful hillside property in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles since our founding by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1906. We celebrate more than a century of nurturing the spiritual, intellectual, social and moral development of students as they distinguish themselves as women of great heart and right conscience.