Pusch Ridge Christian Academy College & Career Planning

Upper Campus Guidance Department

At PRCA, our Guidance Department intentionally partners with students and families throughout the middle and high school years to help students discover their God-given gifts, strengths, and aspirations while making informed, mature decisions about their academic journey and future plans. Our mission is to help shape the Christian leaders of tomorrow by providing students with the best tools, the most up-to-date information available, and personalized guidance as they navigate course selection, post-secondary planning, and future opportunities. Whether students pursue college, a gap year, career training, military service, or other pathways after graduation, we seek to equip them to move forward with purpose and conviction.

Our Guidance Department is led by Mrs. Jackie Picton, Mrs. Susan Wixon, and Mrs. Diane Rognlien. Mrs. Picton, a current PRCA parent, joined PRCA with several years of experience in adolescent counseling and school guidance in both middle and high school settings and holds a Master’s in Counseling, bringing strong expertise in student development and academic planning. Mrs. Susan Wixon, a longtime PRCA parent and beloved former English and History Teacher, now leads our College Application & Life Skills Lab, where she continues to invest deeply in our seniors' growth and readiness for life beyond high school. Mrs. Rognlien contributes extensive educational leadership experience as a former Principal and Assistant Principal, and previously served as our Guidance Director before taking a brief hiatus. We are pleased to welcome PRCA alumna Carley Tucker to our team for the 2026–2027 school year.

With Christ at the center of all we do, the Guidance Team remains committed to faithfully walking alongside each student, providing the resources, guidance, and encouragement needed to pursue their academic journey and God-given calling with confidence, wisdom, and faith.

PRCA Guidance Distinctives

8^th Grade Meeting: 1:1 with student and parent(s) to discuss the transition to high school (course selections, determining GPA, high school expectations, goal setting, etc.)
11^th Grade Meeting: 1:1 with student and parent(s) to discuss post-graduation opportunities, goal setting, and the identification of individual strengths.
College Application & Life Skills Lab: opportunity for guidance through the college application process while building essential life skills such as financial literacy, wellness, and campus safety.
Annual Guidance workshops, including resume-building and essay writing, begin in the freshman year.
Christian College Fair and Military & Government Career Fair
Lunchtime Visits from Admission Reps and Military Recruiters
Grand Canyon University Campus Visit: interested students attend a chapel and tour the campus
Resources for interviewing, support with college admission essays, and scholarship applications
Letters of recommendation: personalized, specific letters may be written for our seniors as they compete for college admissions and scholarships

College Acceptance Update

At the heart of our Guidance Department is a commitment to helping each student discover their God-given gifts, discern His calling for their lives, and move confidently toward the future He has prepared for them.

Each year, we honor our students' decisions about whether to share their college acceptances, and, with permission, we are pleased to highlight the extraordinary opportunities our students have earned over the past three years. Our graduates have been accepted to two Ivy League universities, all five United States service academies, and many of the nation's most selective and respected institutions. In addition, our beloved graduates have gone on to attend nearby state and private institutions as well as respected Bible colleges and Christian universities across the country.

While these achievements are certainly worthy of celebration, we are even more grateful for the character, faith, and servant leadership our students embody. We are honored to walk alongside them as they pursue the unique purpose God has placed on their hearts, and we look forward to witnessing the many ways they will use their gifts to serve others and make a meaningful impact on their communities and the world.

Guidance Department

Upper Campus Guidance Department

PRCA Guidance Distinctives

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College Acceptance Update

Grammar Campus (grades K-5)

South Campus (grades K-5)

Upper Campus (grades 6-12)