Academics

High School Counseling

The next chapter begins with knowing your son.
 
At Cathedral School for Boys, our High School Counseling Program combines a deep understanding of each boy with thoughtful preparation and close partnership with his family. Beginning in Grade 7, we help students explore their options, discover what matters most to them, and find a high school where they can thrive.
 
Led by High School Counselor Kristen Vilhauer, our individualized approach helps boys navigate the application process with confidence while developing the independence, self-awareness, and communication skills that will serve them well beyond Cathedral.

By the Numbers

179 Graduates | 40 High Schools | More Than 90% Admitted to Their First- or Second-Choice High School
 
From 2022 through 2026, Cathedral graduates earned acceptances to 40 high schools, reflecting the breadth of opportunities available to our students. More than 90% of Cathedral graduates consistently earn admission to their first- or second-choice high school.
 
Our graduates continue their education at independent, parochial, boarding, and public schools throughout the Bay Area and across the country.
 

A Search Shaped Around Your Son

Personalized high school counseling begins in the spring of Grade 7. As families consider independent, parochial, boarding, and public schools, High School Counselor Kristen Vilhauer helps them develop a thoughtful list of schools based on their son’s interests, strengths, and needs.
 
Throughout the process, students learn to evaluate their options, ask meaningful questions, and consider what matters most to them as learners and as individuals. The goal is to find a high school where each boy will feel challenged, supported, and inspired to thrive.
 

Preparation Built into the School Day

A dedicated biweekly high school counseling class in Grade 8 gives students the time, structure, and support to prepare for the application process. Boys learn how to research schools, prepare for campus visits, develop application essays, and practice interviews with Cathedral faculty and staff who provide individualized feedback.
 
Along the way, students strengthen essential skills in self-reflection, communication, time management, and personal responsibility, building the confidence and independence they will carry into high school and beyond.
 

Opportunities to Meet High Schools

Throughout Grade 8, admissions representatives from a variety of high schools visit Cathedral to meet with students in small groups. These conversations give boys opportunities to learn about different schools, ask questions, and gain a better understanding of what each has to offer.
 
Combined with campus visits and information about boarding school events, these experiences help students explore their options, make informed comparisons, and identify schools that align with their interests, strengths, and aspirations.
 

A Steady Partner for Families

Throughout the high school application process, Cathedral works closely with families to provide guidance, encouragement, and practical support. Biweekly parent updates during the fall application season help families stay informed about important deadlines, requirements, and next steps.
 
High School Counselor Kristen Vilhauer provides individualized guidance on school choices, application essays, testing requirements, and financial aid resources. Cathedral also coordinates school recommendations and transcripts, ensuring that families have the support they need throughout the process. Counseling continues as students receive admission decisions and prepare for a successful transition to high school.
 

Where Cathedral Graduates Go Next

Cathedral graduates pursue a wide range of educational opportunities, from leading Bay Area independent and parochial schools to distinguished boarding schools across the country. Our students’ high school acceptances reflect the diversity of their interests, strengths, and aspirations.
 
Top Five High School Acceptances (2022–2026)
 
 

List of 1 items.

  • High School Acceptances (2022–2026)

    • Archbishop Riordan High School*
    • The Athenian School*
    • The Bay School of San Francisco
    • The Branson School
    • Cate School* (CA)
    • Choate Rosemary Hall* (CT)
    • The College Preparatory School
    • Convent & Stuart Hall High School
    • Crystal Springs Uplands School
    • Drew School
    • Ethical Culture Fieldston School (NY)
    • Fountain Valley School* (CO)
    • Groton School* (MA)
    • Holderness School* (NH)
    • The International School of San Francisco
    • The Lawrenceville School* (NJ)
    • Lick-Wilmerding High School
    • Lowell High School
    • Marin Academy
    • Marin Catholic
    • The Nueva School
    • Phillips Academy Andover* (MA)
    • Proctor Academy* (NH)
    • Redwood High School
    • Riverdale Country School (NY)
    • Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
    • San Francisco University High School
    • Sonoma Academy
    • St. Albans School* (Washington, D.C.)
    • St. Andrew’s School* (DE)
    • St. George’s School* (RI)
    • St. Ignatius College Preparatory
    • St. Paul’s School* (NH)
    • Sterne School
    • Stevenson School* (CA)
    • The Thacher School* (CA)
    • Urban School of San Francisco
    • Urban Student Athlete Development Academy
    • Westminster School* (CT)
    • Woodside Priory School*
     
    *School offers boarding; some also enroll day students.

High School Counselor

Kristen Vilhauer
High School Counselor
 

Cathedral School for Boys

Located in San Francisco, California, Cathedral School for Boys is an independent elementary school for boys in Kindergarten – Grade 8. Our mission is to provide an excellent education through intellectual inquiry and rigor that is centered in the Episcopal tradition and is respectful of and welcoming to people of all religious traditions and beliefs.