Academics at Oakbrook

College Connect

Experience Personalized — and Comprehensive — College Planning

Preparing for the future is especially important in the high school years.

You’ll find other private schools that offer college counseling, but few provide the individualized attention, leadership training, and step-by-step guidance that Oakbrook Preparatory School’s College Connect does. This four-year program helps students explore their strengths, career paths, and college options in a way that develops them as leaders, deep thinkers, and faithful servants ready to make an impact.

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A Four-Year Roadmap
to College & Career Success

Personalized Guidance from Day One

Unlike many high school counseling programs that wait until junior or senior year to focus on college, College Connect begins in ninth grade. Every student attends a dedicated weekly small group designed to prepare them for their next steps. Then, starting in 11th grade, they receive one-on-one guidance as well.

Essential Research Tools

Students use SCOIR, a comprehensive college and career database, to research schools, explore careers, and manage application deadlines all in one place.

Meaningful Recommendation Letters

Counselors take the time to understand each student’s character, strengths, and achievements, often incorporating parent insights and faculty reflections to craft letters that stand out to admissions committees.

Opportunity to Sample Careers

Every Oakbrook senior completes a capstone project that demonstrates initiative, leadership, and real-world skills, such as remodeling houses, flying planes, interning with cardiologists, and launching a photography business.

College Visits & Rep Meetings

College representatives visit in small group settings, giving students the chance to ask real questions and build relationships that strengthen their applications. Trips to college campuses help students make informed choices.

Scholarship & Financial Aid Support

The College Connect team helps families navigate financial aid, FAFSA, and merit-based scholarship opportunities to make college more affordable.

The Right Private High School Makes a Real Difference

College Connect Opens Doors for Your Teen’s Future

100%

of Oakbrook students are accepted into college

$3M

in scholarships awarded annually to graduates

50%

of students earn college credit before high school graduation

What to Expect Year-By-Year

9th Grade:

Building a Strong Foundation

High school is a big transition, and College Connect helps freshmen start strong. Students:

Learn high school success strategies in “High School 101”
Discover leadership skills and how to get involved early
Take career assessments to explore interests and strengths
Join small-group discussions to build confidence and connections

10th Grade:

Career Exploration & Leadership

Sophomore year is about discovering possibilities and developing leadership skills. Students:

Take a deeper dive into career exploration through personality and strengths assessments
Connect with professionals and learn about real-world career paths
Explore ways to stand out through leadership roles and extracurricular involvement
Receive early exposure to college planning, setting a strong foundation for junior year

11th Grade:

College Research & Test Prep

Junior year is when the college search process begins. Through College Connect, students:

Meet with college representatives in small groups for one-on-one conversations
Research college options, scholarships, and application requirements
Begin SAT/ACT prep and essay writing workshops where they start crafting their personal statements
Attend parent-student meetings to discuss college goals and next steps

12th Grade:

Applications, Scholarships & Future Planning

Senior year is about taking action and preparing for the transition beyond Oakbrook. Students:

Attend Senior Boot Camp to finalize applications and essays before school starts
Meet with admissions counselors for a mock college admissions interview
Discuss plans, timelines, and more with a counselor who meets with them one-on-one to help them reach their goals
Submit at least one college application by Nov. 1 to gain early experience
Work on their Senior Capstone Project, applying what they’ve learned and trying out career interests
Participate in the Senior Retreat, reflecting on their journey and preparing for leadership in the next stage of life

From 9th grade, college connect encouraged me to think about my future early on, which made decisions junior and senior year feel a lot easier. When it came time to apply to college, I never felt lost and had help throughout the whole process from applications to financial aid and scholarships. Because of college connect, I feel like I made the best decision when it came to choosing my college.

Isabelle Watson

Celebrating Every Senior

At Oakbrook, we see each student as a person made in the image of God, so we celebrate every senior — and their individual path to college and career.

Planning for the future is stressful, so we celebrate every milestone.

From the first application submitted to final decisions, seniors encourage one another and mark the moment with things like lunches out, ice cream truck surprises — and sometimes — a visit to a water park.

Parents attend Senior Chapel to share letters of encouragement,

teachers pray over students, and the entire community gathers to bless the graduating class. This moment reminds students that their worth isn’t in a college acceptance letter — it’s in who they are becoming.

Each senior writes a letter to their parents and shares it during their graduation ceremony.

A slideshow of their life, from childhood to now, reminds everyone how far they’ve come. No student is just a name on a list. This is their story, their future, and their moment to step forward with confidence.

Meet Your College Connect Team

Whether your teen already has a dream school in mind or is just beginning to explore their options, Oakbrook’s College Connect program provides the support they need to succeed.

ASHLEY HAIRR

DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING | COLLEGE GUIDANCE DIRECTOR

Read Bio

College Connect is a unique program designed to help students through all aspects of their post graduate plans. College Connect is designed to help students explore potential careers, participate in social-emotional learning, learn valuable life skills, and navigate the college application process. Our one-to-one college guidance program”

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