contact@stpatrick.org 773-282-8844
The Student Services Department offers its services as an integral part of the educational program at Saint Patrick High School. The Department helps students plan, set goals, and make decisions regarding their academic and personal development. Counselors work with students individually and in small groups, often consulting with teachers, parents, and other significant members of the students’ lives.
Our team of professionals intervenes early and often.
The professional counselors at Saint Patrick High School advocate for students in three main areas. They support students academically by helping them choose classes and by monitoring their grades on a regular basis. They provide social-emotional guidance and support. They also help students prepare for their post-secondary education and careers. They do all of this by creating positive relationships with their students and facilitating communication with their teachers, parents and other significant members of the students’ lives.
College planning begins in the late fall of the student’s junior year, when each student meets with his Counselor to help him clarify goals and interests. Throughout the process, parents are informed and involved, and every effort is made to direct each student toward a college that will challenge his abilities and satisfy his interests.
Mr. Fabrizio is a proud 2008 alum of Saint Patrick High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in Communications in 2012 from St. Norbert College where he played football for four years. In addition to counseling, Mr. Fabrizio is currently pursuing his master’s degree in School Counseling at Northeastern Illinois University. For the past seven years Mr. Fabrizio has worked in the Admissions Office. He looks forward to continuing to be a role model in his new role for the young men that attend Saint Patrick.
Contact: mfabrizio@stpatrick.org
Bio Coming Soon!
This is Mr. Kusinski’s 21st year in the Counseling Department at Saint Patrick High School and his 7th year as College Counselor. Not only is Mr. Kusinski a proud Saint Patrick alum, but he is an even prouder parent of a Saint Patrick alum. The family tradition is what drew him to St. Pat’s, and it is the opportunity to work with Shamrock families that keeps him here. Through individual meetings, workshops and parent events, he looks forward to continuing to guide students and their families through the college planning, application and admission process.
Contact: dkusinski@stpatrick.org
Mrs. Noschese provides support to students who are eligible for or have IEPs and 504’s, and works with students who need academic or behavioral accommodations. Ms. Noschese earned her Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from DePaul University and went on to graduate from Dominican University with a Masters of Science in Special Education with a Learning Behavior Specialist I endorsement. She also holds endorsements in biological sciences, general science, physical science and social sciences. Ms. Noschese is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Global Education Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education at DePaul University. She has been an educator for 10 years and looks forward to working with the diverse learners at Saint Patrick High School.
Contact: knoschese@stpatrick.org
Mr. Scorpio is a proud alumnus from the class of 2010. He received his bachelor’s degree in Communications in 2014 from St. Norbert College and received his master’s degree from DePaul University’s College of Education with a concentration in Counseling, specializing in College Student Development. In addition to counseling, Mr. Scorpio is the Director of Game Day Operations, assists with the Shamrock Shop and is the liaison for the student services department for the Shamrock Business Partnership Program. For the past two years, Mr. Scorpio has worked in the Institutional Advancement Office as the Director of Alumni Relations. He is passionate about helping the young men of Saint Patrick High School adapt to a new environment and guide students to achieve their goals.
Contact: rscorpio@stpatrick.org
Mr. Smailis helps students with social-emotional needs, substance use issues, and coordinates external support for students/families in need. This is Mr. Smailis’ 26th year at St. Pat’s. He has taught computer applications, English, algebra, sociology, and currently teaches psychology and pre-algebra. He has also been the assistant dean of students, and initiated the resource program at St. Pat’s. Mr. Smailis earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, his M.A. in school counseling from Northeastern Illinois University, and has completed the coursework for his C.A.D.C. (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) from The College of DuPage. Mr. Smailis worked as a research assistant at the Brain Behavior Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, studying clinical depression and schizophrenia, and did psychotherapy research with Dr. Lester Luborsky and Aaron Beck. In addition to his work at St. Pat’s, Mr. Smailis teaches individual, group, and addictions counseling in the graduate program at Northeastern.
Contact: jsmailis@stpatrick.org
The Blessed Brother James Miller Learning Resource Program offers a dynamic college preparatory program for students who are in need of additional academic support.
The Illinois State Board of Educations enables schools to benefit from Title I funds which provide additional academic support and learning opportunities to help low-achieving students master challenging curricula and meet state standards in core academic subjects.
From 504/IEP plan management, to teacher accommodations and academic/behavioral interventions, Saint Patrick has numerous learning resources to help your son achieve success during his time with us.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success.
St. Patrick High School realizes the need for a course that addresses students needing additional support in various academic areas hence the creation of our newly-implemented program Every Shamrock Succeeds. In this course students receive researched based interventions in the areas of Math, Literacy and Executive Functioning.
Saint Patrick High School is fortunate to have our own dedicated Therapy Dog, Patrick who visits weekly. Studies have proven that students bond readily with therapy dogs, feeling more connected and confident, which helps reduce anxiety and negative behavior in adolescents.
The Student to Counselor Ratio at Saint Patrick is 100:1, compared to the state-wide average of 522:1. We pride ourselves on individualized attention and support.