ACADEMIC COUNSELING - Crossings Christian School

Faith-based guidance. Personalized support. College and career readiness with purpose.

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6

2025-2026 SCHOOL PROFILE

OUR MISSION

Our Academic Counseling Department partners with students, parents, and faculty to help students grow as Christ-centered servant leaders who are academically and spiritually prepared for college and life.
Our academic counseling program aligns with this mission by:

Helping students discern God’s unique plan for their life.
Offering personalized academic, college, and career guidance.
Supporting families through clear communication and intentional planning.

WHAT WE DO

We believe God has a plan and purpose for every student (Jeremiah 29:11). Every meeting, workshop, and event is grounded in the truth that identity and value are found in Christ, not in test scores, college acceptances, or achievements. As a college preparatory school, we provide comprehensive, faith-based academic counseling curriculum that supports students from rising freshmen through graduation and beyond:

Academic counseling and four-year planning
College and career exploration beginning in 9th grade
Aptitude and career assessments with YouScience
College and career planning and applications via Scoir
Service learning tracking through x2VOL
ACT, PSAT, and AP testing support and coordination
One-on-one student and family conferences
Letters of recommendation and scholarship guidance
Parent education and community events

STUDENT RESOURCES
PARENT RESOURCES

STUDENT RESOURCES

ScoirScoir is our one-stop college planning and application hub. Students can explore colleges, take virtual tours, track deadlines, and manage their applications — all in one place. It also uses predictive technology and scattergrams, so students can see how their GPA and test scores compare with past CCS applicants. Parents can follow along too, making it easy to stay informed and support their student every step of the way.

YouScience
YouScience is a powerful tool that helps students discover their natural aptitudes — the abilities they’re born with — and how those strengths connect to future careers and college majors. Using a series of engaging, brain-based exercises, it measures how students think, learn, and solve problems, then pairs those results with their interests. This gives students language to describe their strengths in resumes, interviews, and essays — and provides parents and counselors with valuable insight to guide academic, college, and career planning with confidence.

x2VOL
x2VOL makes it simple for students to log and track their service hours for the year and toward graduation. It also gives them a way to reflect on how their service makes a difference and how they’re using their gifts to glorify God.

Tutor & Test Prep List 2025-2026

Comprehensive Upper School Testing Schedule 2025-2026

2025-2026 Course Catalog

PARENT RESOURCES

We believe that equipped parents create empowered students. Below are some of the best resources I’ve found to help you navigate high school, the college process, and life with teenagers. While not all of these books and websites are written from a Christ-centered perspective, they are practical, insightful, and valuable tools for supporting your students well.
Recommended Books and Websites

With the help of College Essay Guy resources, Mrs. Shields has compiled a list of the top twenty ways CCS parents can support their college-bound teens.

20 Ways CCS Parents Can Support Their College-Bound Teens

CLASS OF 2025 STATISTICS & HONORS

77%

OF STUDENTS WHO TOOK AP EXAMS SCORED A 3 OR HIGHER

100%

OF THE CLASS IS COLLEGE-BOUND

10,573

SERVICE HOURS COMPLETED BY GRADES 9-12

20

AP COURSES OFFERED

18

ALL-STATE STUDENTS (12 ATHLETIC, 6 FINE ARTS)

1350

AVERAGE SAT SCORE

Your Roadmap: Grade-by-Grade

Our academic counseling curriculum grows with students, offering developmentally appropriate guidance every step of the way.

RISING FRESHMEN - EXPLORE AND BEGIN WITH PURPOSE

Start discovering who you are, what matters to you, and how your strengths connect to God’s plan.

Build study habits and personal responsibility
Begin exploring strengths, interests, and career paths
Learn about selective college admissions and planning basics
Create a four-year graduation plan with parents
Make a summer action plan for growth and preparation

FRESHMEN - LAY THE FOUNDATION

SOPHOMORES - ENGAGE WITH INTENTION

Lean into your growth. Make thoughtful choices, explore options, and reflect on your gifts and direction.

Set new SMART goals and review life skills
Define personal success and update activities/resumé
Explore types of colleges, careers, and military options
Begin scholarship awareness
Plan ahead with course selection and summer action steps

JUNIORS - BE THE DRIVER

SENIORS - FINISH STRONG, DECIDE WELL

Navigate deadlines, apply faithfully, and trust God’s guidance as you prepare to step into what’s next.

Create SMART goals and finalize life skills growth
Draft essays, applications, and resumes
Learn FAFSA, scholarships, and financial aid basics
Practice interviews and evaluate admission decisions
Select a Senior Life Verse and prepare spiritually for transition

POST-GRADUATES - ONCE A KNIGHT, ALWAYS A KNIGHT

To equip graduates with the skills, resilience, and Christ-centered foundation to thrive beyond high school - while assuring them that CCS will remain a source of guidance, prayer, and connection wherever life takes them.

Academic readiness: note-taking, time management, campus resources
College/career transition: check-ins, transfers, gap year support
Social/emotional support: balance, self-care, alumni connection
Spiritual growth: reminders of identity in Christ, prayer, and community encouragement

ACADEMIC Counseling Calendar Snapshot

Fall
College fair, standardized testing, college application guidance.

Winter
Course planning, dual credit registration, and rising grade-level meetings.

Spring
Freshman college tour, AP testing, Rising Senior Planning meetings, Senior Declaration Day.

Year-Round
Academic support, one-on-one student meetings, and parent communication.

MEET THE COUNSELORS

KERI SHIELDS

Director of College and Academic Counseling

"Since 2009 I’ve been honored to guide CCS students and families as they navigate the path toward college and life beyond. My heart is to help every student recognize their God-given gifts and step boldly into the future God has prepared for them."

kshields@crossingsschool.org

CARLY SNEDEKER

Academic Counselor

"It’s an honor to walk with CCS students and families as they uncover their God-given gifts. My heart is to point them toward Christ and encourage them to pursue His purpose with joy and courage."

csnedeker@crossingsschool.org