The freshman year at SJND is exciting and challenging. Students have many courses requiring study time and most freshmen explore the various extracurricular activities at SJND. It is important to balance all of this with friends and family.

The freshman counseling calendar lists important activities and is designed to help students do well in their freshman year in high school.

Sophomore classes are more difficult and require more study time. Many students are involved in activities ranging from sports to class activities and they also need to start planning for life after high school.

The sophomore counseling calendar helps students be aware of important activities that help in the sophomore year and in making plans for the future.

The junior year at SJND is an exceedingly important year for college admissions. Numerous colleges place the most value on grades earned in the sophomore and junior years. In addition, colleges and universities look for advanced coursework in the junior year. As space permits, students take elective courses that help reach beyond the minimum college entrance requirements. Doing well in courses is essential this year. Students must reach beyond the goals set in the frosh and soph years. They must also continue to be involved in community service, activities, athletics, and work that stimulate personal growth.

The junior counseling calendar helps juniors keep on track for college preparation. A counselor can answer any questions about college planning, academics, or personal issues. The counselors meet with senior students individually each fall to help develop academic goals, and again in the spring for course scheduling. Counselors also see students in class periodically with reminders about PSAT, SAT, ACT, and college information.

Seniors face a challenging year. Senior-year courses require more study time, and activities might range from athletics to journalism to theater productions, and students face the task of planning where they'll will be next year. Nearly all graduates from SJND enter college. 

The senior counseling calendar is intended to alert students to activities that assist in this important choice. The calendar does not include sporting events or extracurricular activities because the focus here is on financial aid forms and college planning events. The counselors recommend that students keep this calendar available for easy reference throughout the year.