College Counseling

Our goal for every entering first-year high school student is for them to become fully engaged in the life of Rolling Hills Prep and Renaissance. Students take full advantage of all that the school has to offer. 9th grade is the time for students to discover talents, develop interests, and sample a variety of activities. It is also the time to refine study habits and skills to form a foundation for future academic success. The college counseling team will offer grade-level student workshops and parent/guardian meetings throughout the year, tailored to inform and educate families on relevant information on the college search, application, and financial aid processes. Lastly, college counselors will be available to consult with students and parents/guardians on academic and extracurricular choices.

Having completed their transition to Upper School, sophomores focus on developing their academic and extra-curricular profiles and are encouraged to involve themselves in the school community. This is the year that students should focus a bit more on the activities and classes that have become most meaningful to them. The college counseling team will offer grade-level student workshops and parent/guardian meetings throughout the year, tailored to inform and educate families on relevant information on the college search, application, and financial aid processes. Sophomores are encouraged to visit colleges during vacations, particularly during spring break, to get a sense of the post-secondary opportunities available to them.  The college counselors are available to meet with students and parents/guardians to discuss how academic and extracurricular choices will affect college opportunities.

The junior year presents students with the challenge of balancing handling a rigorous academic course load, researching colleges, and taking on leadership positions in their activities. Grades earned in the junior year often serve as the primary evidence of academic preparation and level of engagement. The college counselors meet individually with juniors and families during the second trimester when fall PSAT scores and first-trimester grades become available. Throughout the  year, admissions representatives from various colleges and universities are invited to Rolling Hills Prep and Renaissance to meet prospective students and share information about their institutions.  Juniors are encouraged to visit colleges during vacations, particularly during spring break, to get a sense of the post-secondary opportunities available to them. Most juniors will take the SAT, and/or ACT for the first time in May and/or June.

Rolling Hills Prep and Renaissance students benefit from a low student-to-counselor ratio, and seniors will have unlimited access to their college counselor. During their last year at Rolling Hills Prep and Renaissance, seniors enrolled in advanced classes and lead the student body to shape the culture of the school year. They also choose the colleges to which they will apply. During the fall, admissions representatives from various colleges and universities are invited to Rolling Hills Prep and Renaissance to meet prospective students. Seniors will take any additional standardized tests they need, ask teachers and counselors for recommendations, work on applications, write essays and potentially prepare for college interviews. The college counselors are available to meet with students and parents/guardians to discuss their offers of admission and financial aid options and guide families through the matriculation process.

Thank you for your interest in Rolling Hills Preparatory School and Renaissance School for the Arts and Sciences. If you are looking to visit with our students in the fall, we encourage you to see our availability on Cialfo. Because we have two schools on the same campus, please schedule your visit with Rolling Hills Preparatory, but rest assured, students from both schools will be invited to your visit.  For the 2022-23 school year, we offer college rep visits (in-person or virtual) Monday through Friday from 12:10 pm to 12:50 pm and select advisory block visits during the week from 11:15 -11:55 AM.  Due to our upper-school schedule, there are no visit opportunities on Wednesdays, however, if you need to schedule at a different time than what you see available, please contact email [email protected], and we will try to accommodate your availability. If you sign up for a virtual visit, you will be asked to provide your web link. For fall 2022, visits will be either in person or virtual. When you make an appointment for Rolling Hills Prep, 11th and 12th graders from both schools will be invited to your visit.  If you have additional questions, contact our College Counseling office at [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you!

Arriving on Campus:

The address for Rolling Hills Preparatory School and Renaissance School is:

One Rolling Hills Prep Way, San Pedro, CA 90732.  The schools’ main phone number is: (310) 791-1101.  When you arrive, drive into the parking lot, turn left, and park in any available parking space, including the Visitor parking.  All visitors who enter campus must have their driver’s license scanned by the security guard at the front gate. Walk through the gate, and to your left, you will see a sign that reads “Administration.”  There you will be greeted by our administrative assistant at the front desk. You will be asked to provide your driver's license and receive a Visitors Badge.  You will be directed to the college counseling department and meet with one of our college counselors and students.  Upon the conclusion of your visit, please return the Visitors Badge to the Administration building and receive your identification.