Counseling and Guidance
Serra counselors see themselves as student advocates who, in partnership with parents and faculty, help our Padres to achieve their personal and academic goals and successfully navigate their high school journey.
Preparing Padres for the road ahead
It’s no secret that planning for college can be stressful for students and their families. In an era when many parents feel the need to hire expensive private college counselors, it’s important to know that Serra’s counseling team has the expertise and extensive resources to expertly shepherd our Padres through the college planning and application process. The results speak volumes about the counseling team’s success: Every year, 99 to 100 percent of Serra students matriculate to the colleges that best suit their academic and career interests, consistently earning millions of dollars in college scholarships.
99%
of Serra graduates matriculate to college
Focusing on student well-being in the here and now
The future looks brightest when students can see a clear path forward. Recognizing that the high school years can sometimes dish up both personal and academic challenges for the young men, our counselors are equipped to provide social-emotional support and resources our students need, and the academic intervention and advocacy that will help them to course correct. The counseling team also offers support groups each school year. One topic addresses students’ social interaction and how to successfully engage in the Serra community; others are flexible, chosen in response to students’ needs and interests. Counselors are always available to meet with students and parents as requested or needed.
Serra counselors will . . .
- support students as they transition to high school and get acclimated to the Serra community.
- provide guidance in selecting courses that support a student's college and career goals and meet high school graduation and college admissions requirements.
- act as an advocate when students are confronted with a challenging academic or personal situation.
- refer students to trusted outside resources for educational testing or psychological support services.
- help students to identify strengths and preferences that can open their eyes to potential college majors and career paths.
- work with students individually as well as in groups to provide comprehensive college advising services.
- introduce students to college admissions representatives and help assess what students learn from them.
- write thoughtful and compelling college letters of recommendation because Serra counselors know their students well!
Counseling and Guidance FAQs
- What do the boys do each year at Serra to prepare for college?
- Do counselors help the boys to select colleges?
- How soon should high school students start looking at colleges?
- Do counselors help Serra students with their college application forms?
- Should students take both the SAT and the ACT, and how many times?
- How important is the college essay/personal statement? Do students write it in their English classes? Do counselors help them?
- Many parents feel that the competitive nature of the application process is over the top. How do you keep our Padres from becoming overwhelmed? What is your advice to students and to parents?
- Why is college preparation so important today? How has the application process changed in the last five to 10 years.
What do the boys do each year at Serra to prepare for college?
Do counselors help the boys to select colleges?
How soon should high school students start looking at colleges?
Do counselors help Serra students with their college application forms?
Should students take both the SAT and the ACT, and how many times?
How important is the college essay/personal statement? Do students write it in their English classes? Do counselors help them?
Many parents feel that the competitive nature of the application process is over the top. How do you keep our Padres from becoming overwhelmed? What is your advice to students and to parents?
Why is college preparation so important today? How has the application process changed in the last five to 10 years.
Counseling Staff
Jane Zoucha
M.A., University of San Francisco
College Counseling Certificate, University of California, Los Angeles
Chris Quiery LMFT
B.S., St. Mary's College of California
M.S., California State University, East Bay
California State University, East Bay
Daniel Arias
M.A. and PPS Credential, San Jose State University
Nicholas Peruzzaro, LMFT
MS, Notre Dame de Namur University
School Profile 2024-25
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