School & College Counseling
Young men enter high school facing a number of challenges — from academic concerns, to social pressures, to concerns about how to gain admission to college. Prep’s counselors understand this well.
Our guidance program is carefully constructed to support students as they develop and as we are well prepared to walk along with them as they engage these challenges.
Our approach to the guidance and counseling process is holistic one as we address and place value on both the personal development of our students and on the college discernment process. We believe that their Prep education is not solely about where a student goes to college, but more about how prepared they are for their college years, as well as for their life moving forward.In developing personal relationships with each Fairfield Prep student, our trained counseling staff addresses the needs of students as they navigate challenges during their four years at Prep. In getting to know our students well, we encourage them to seek and engage growth. We further assist them in managing challenges in their academic and activities lives, as well as in their personal journey.
Counselors meet with students — both in group setting and individually — to discuss important academic topics, including transitioning to high school, course selection, college searching and career advising. We also broach important personal and developmental topics which students face, among them issues such as maintaining balance in their lives, building healthy relationships and an awareness of social ills such as substance abuse. In our work we not only respond to current challenges, we also anticipate new issues our students may face in each school year.
Our counselors are very involved in living out the Prep Mission. Like teachers, Prep’s counselors participate in service trips and activities, and help to staff student retreats. This focus on Mission clearly demonstrates our holistic approach in supporting our students.
That all students gain appropriate college opportunities is crucial to our work however we do not measure our program’s success exclusively on college acceptances. We can say with confidence that our student’s admissions results are a testament to their academic and personal growth as each year, Fairfield Prep seniors gain acceptance to some of the most competitive schools in the country.
Our alumni stay in touch with Prep’s counselors and teachers upon graduation and we are genuinely encouraged to hear from them as they move forward through their college years into successful careers and fulfilling lives. Our efforts, and the impact of a Prep education are most evident here as we become aware of how their growth as Prep students contributes to their successes in college and in their lives.
School Profile
Fairfield Prep's school profile allows colleges to understand our applicants in the context of their Prep class. It is updated each year to reflect the academic profile of the senior class year and new developments at Fairfield Prep.
Custom Class: hero-image
Parents looking for information or assistance on the college application process should visit our Parent Portal by logging in to Prep Connect.
Meet Our Counselors & Guidance Staff
Robyn Bilotta
Titles:
Social Worker
Degrees:
Masters, Social Work, Fordham University 2002
BS, Social Work, Marist College 1999
BS, Social Work, Marist College 1999
Email:
Lynne Chesbro
Titles:
School Counselor
Degrees:
MA, Counseling, Fairfield University 2005
BS, Psychology, St. Joseph University 2002
BS, Psychology, St. Joseph University 2002
Email:
Peter Francini
Class of 2000
Titles:
College Counselor
Degrees:
MA, Counseling, Lesley University 2006
BA, Psychology, Saint Anselm College 2004
BA, Psychology, Saint Anselm College 2004
Email:
Lina Gallinelli
Titles:
International Student Advisor
Degrees:
Undergraduate, Shanghai Foreign Language University
Email:
John Hanrahan
Titles:
Dean of Guidance and College Advising
Degrees:
MA, Education, Fairfield University 1987
BA, History, St. Michael's College 1975
BA, History, St. Michael's College 1975
Email:
Richard Hutchinson
Class of 1987
Titles:
College Counselor
Degrees:
MA, Secondary Education, Lehigh University 1995
BA, Political Science, Bucknell University 1991
BA, Political Science, Bucknell University 1991
Email:
Laura Silence
Titles:
School and College Counselor
Degrees:
MA, School Counseling, Fairfield University 2015
MA, Theater, American Conservatory Theater 1996
BA, Sociology, Colgate University 1991
MA, Theater, American Conservatory Theater 1996
BA, Sociology, Colgate University 1991
Email:
Amy Stern
Titles:
School Counselor
Degrees:
Master of Education, Counseling, Alfred University 2021
Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Arizona State University 2009
BA, History, The University of Kansas 2005
Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Arizona State University 2009
BA, History, The University of Kansas 2005
Email: