The College Discovery Process

Legacy Christian Academy’s Department of College Counseling exists to educate and empower families on the College Discovery Process. The college discovery process begins with exploration to and culminates with the enrollment deposit. This process can be ever-changing with so many moving parts and our office promises to be proactive in research and assist families. We want our families to be comfortable and confident in the process. 

Discover LCA

Meet our director of college counseling

Jodi Benavidez serves as the Director of College Counseling.  Jodi brings to Legacy her 20-year career and expertise in working with families as they navigate college.  Jodi began her career at Collin College as a Special Admissions Coordinator and Advisor and then became their Destination College Coordinator.  Destination college was a unique program that worked directly with local high schools to help prepare students for college.  After six years with Collin, Jodi then moved into Christian education in the DFW metroplex where she has served since.  She has spent the last 15 years working as a Director of College Counseling in two sister Christian schools.

In addition to her vast experience at both the College and Christian school levels, Jodi has also been involved in the larger national college counseling arena with her service on the National Association of Christian College Admissions Professionals board (NACCAP).  This organization serves the admissions and counseling needs of Christian high schools, universities, and graduate schools.  She has been a board member since 2020 and currently serves on the finance and strategic initiatives committees. Jodi has a master of education in higher education degree from Dallas Baptist University and has also completed the Christian Counselor Certification program through NACCAP.

Jodi Benavidez

Jodi Benavidez

Director of College Counseling

Self-Assessment Exploration

Legacy builds into curriculum-specific self-assessments for students to explore and learn more about how God has uniquely gifted them.

YouScience

This online assessment discovers God-given aptitudes to help uncover students' natural talents, match them to career interests, and help them research colleges that might be a good fit for them. Tap here to learn more about YouScience.

Unparalleled grade-level programming

ALL GRADES
Grade-Level Planning Meeting (starting in the 8th grade)

These meetings are designed to help our families at each step of the way in the College Discovery Process. Our college counselor will communicate what you need to be doing now and what you need to be aware of for the future. You will be able to have all your questions answered and walk away confident in the College Discovery Process. 

Grade-Level Specific Support

Our Academic Deans and College Counselor are always available to give grade-level specific information to help support our families. We want to make sure our students are taking the right courses and on track to be as prepared as possible for college and beyond!

graduation fist in the air!
Eighth Grade

The Department of College Counseling primarily works with our Upper School students. However, education programming, testing, and college-focused events along with specific Grade-Level Meetings are in place to get our eighth-grade families ready to learn more about the College Discover Process in the 9th-12th grades.

LCA families should be aware of these resources:

 

  1. LCA College Fair (parents & students)
  2. College Educational Nights (parents & students)
  3. Grade-Level Planning Meeting (parents)
NINTH Grade

The Department of College Counseling will provide education programming, testing and college focused events along with specific Grade-Level Meetings to guide families through the College Discover Process. These meetings will communicate what needs to be happening now for each grade-level. 

Students will work very closely with their Academic Dean to plan courses and stay on track to be ready for college and beyond. 

LCA families should be aware of these resources:

 

  1. LCA College Fair (parents & students)
  2. LCA Christian College Fair (students)
  3. LCA College Lunch Visits (students)
  4. College Educational Nights (parents & students)
  5. College Testing (Fall): PSAT and Pre-ACT (practice exams)
  6. YouScience Testing (innovative aptitude and career discovery tool)
  7. Course Planning Meeting with Academic Dean (student)
  8. Grade-Level Planning Meeting (parents)
tenth Grade

The Department of College Counseling will provide education programming, testing and college focused events along with specific Grade-Level Meetings to guide families through the College Discover Process. These meetings will communicate what needs to be happening now for each grade-level. 

Students will work very closely with their Academic Dean to plan courses and stay on track to be ready for college and beyond. 

LCA families should be aware of these resources:

  1. LCA College Fair (parents & students)
  2. LCA Christian College Fair (students)
  3. LCA College Lunch Visits (students)
  4. College Educational Nights (parents & students)
  5. ACT Prep Course (provided and paid for by LCA; self-guided)
  6. ACT Prep Course (provided and paid for by LCA; in-person) 
  7. College Testing (Fall): PSAT and Pre-ACT (practice exams)
  8. College Testing (Spring): District ACT (official ACT)
  9. Course Planning Meeting with Academic Dean (student)
  10. Grade-Level Planning Meeting (parents)
eleventh Grade

In November, the Department of College Counseling will start collecting College Interest Survey from both students and parents. After those are complete, our college counselor will start scheduling Junior Family Conferences to meet individually with each Junior and their family. This is planning time to be able to create a specific college plan for each student.

At the end of the year, all Juniors will complete their college essay and resume in their English course. They will also be guided through the College Workshop which will prepare them to be ready for applications to open that summer!

LCA families should be aware of these resources:

  1. LCA College Fair (parents & students)
  2. LCA Christian College Fair (students)
  3. LCA College Lunch Visits (students)
  4. College Educational Nights (parents & students)
  5. ACT Prep Course (provided and paid for by LCA; self-guided)
  6. College Testing (Fall): PSAT and District ACT (National Merit exam and official ACT)
  7. College Testing (Spring): District ACT (official ACT)
  8. Course Planning Meeting with Academic Dean (student)
  9. Grade-Level Planning Meeting (parents)
  10. College Interest Survey (parents & students)
  11. Junior Family Conference (parents & students)
  12. College Essay Workshop (through English course)
  13. College Resume Workshop (through English course)
  14. College Workshop (provided at no cost for students)

Junior Family Conference (11th)
Our college advisor wants to get to know & equip each family. This meeting helps create a roadmap for next steps & college exploration. 

twelfth Grade

The College Advisor will work closely with each senior on all aspects of the college application process. Our college counselor is available all throughout the summer months leading up to Senior year to work on college applications and then will work 1:1 with seniors through the Fall and Spring semester.

LCA families should be aware of these resources:

 

  1. LCA College Fair (both parents & students)
  2. LCA Christian College Fair (students)
  3. LCA Spring College Fair (Spring semester; Students)
  4. LCA College Lunch Visits (students)
  5. College Educational Nights (parents & students)
  6. ACT Prep Course (provided and paid for by LCA; self-guided)
  7. College Testing (Fall): District ACT (official ACT)
  8. College Testing (Spring): District ACT (official ACT)