IN THIS SECTION

COUNSELING • LEADERSHIP • NUTRITION
 

Counseling @ St. Anne's

St. Anne’s has two full-time school counselors dedicated to supporting every student's well-being. Students in Kindergarten through grade 8 attend counseling classes bi-weekly, covering key topics. In lower school, students explore friendship, coping strategies, emotional awareness, and child safety. Middle school topics shift to adolescent-focused issues like mental health, communication, relationships, and coping skills, with continued emphasis on safety.

Our counselors collaborate with parents and teachers to support students at school and home, addressing social, emotional, and academic challenges. They also connect families to external resources when needed, ensuring students feel seen, heard, and supported.

Counselors Ana and Sammie are committed to helping students build a strong sense of belonging, not only within the school community but also within themselves. By providing the tools and guidance needed to manage emotions and navigate life’s challenges, they are helping students develop the confidence and resilience needed to thrive.

Student Support CounselorS

Maura

Maura McGowan

Grade 5-8 Counselor
Maura earned her B.S. in Human Development from Virginia Tech and her M.Ed. in School Counseling from West Chester University. She is also an LPCC (Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate). Maura loves being a safe space for the community and enjoys the variety that each day brings, as she interacts with students, parents, and teachers. She chose St. Anne’s for its supportive community and leadership team, feeling welcomed even during the interview process. St. Anne’s has helped her feel more at home in Denver. When not working, Maura enjoys traveling, being outdoors, or napping. She loves taking her dog, Maple, for walks and cooking delicious meals for friends.

OptimizedImage,,,Optimized

Sammie Miller

Lower School Counselor
Sammie earned her B.S. in Human Services from Wingate University and her master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Colorado Christian University. She is currently an LPCC (Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate). Sammie desires to create a welcoming atmosphere for the students she works with to help foster growth, joy, and excitement towards the academic and social aspects of a child's life. Sammie was drawn to St. Anne's mission to cultivate a community that inspires children to be curious and compassionate about their community and world around them. When not working, Sammie enjoys rock climbing, having game nights with friends, and playing volleyball.

Student Leadership


Lower School Leadership

OptimizedImage,,,OptimizedIntroduces students to foundational leadership skills that will support their continued growth in middle school and beyond.
 

Key Skills Practiced:

  • Brainstorming
  • Problem-solving
  • Decision-making
  • Comparison and evaluation
  • Clear and effective communication

Activities Include:

  • Planning an outreach project
  • Designing a new product
  • Giving and receiving precise directions
  • Working in collaborative groups
  • Identifying and building on individual strengths

 

Middle School Leadership

OptimizedImage,,,OptimizedAt St. Anne’s, student leadership is at the core of the middle school experience. It extends beyond organic conversations and everyday interactions with teachers and coaches—on the athletic fields, during class trips, in community outreach, and throughout academic life.

Our Philosophy:
We believe students best learn leadership by practicing it. That’s why we entrust them with real responsibility, including:

  • Leading weekly assemblies
  • Teaching workshops and character education classes to younger students
  • Representing student voices in meaningful ways across the school

 

 

 

 

Read more

Examples of Student Leadership in Action:

  • Giving school tours to prospective families and visitors
  • Assisting in Lower School P.E. classes
  • Organizing dances and spirit days through student council
  • Contributing ideas and writing scripts for drama productions

These authentic opportunities empower students to:

  • Build confidence in public speaking and collaboration
  • Recognize the impact of their voice
  • Contribute to a culture of leadership

At St. Anne’s, leadership is not a title—it’s a habit. It becomes a way of thinking, doing, and being that shapes both the individual and the greater school community.

 

Student Nutrition

At St. Anne’s, we believe that nourishing the body fuels the mind and spirit. Through our partnership with Sodexo, we provide thoughtfully prepared, healthy meals that support student learning, promote well-being, and honor the diverse dietary needs of our community.

Each school day, students enjoy a variety of nutritious options, including a daily salad bar, a Boar’s Head deli bar for made-to-order sandwiches, and hot meals that accommodate allergies and food preferences. In alignment with our wellness philosophy, desserts are served only on Fridays, encouraging a balanced approach to nutrition.

Our talented Head Chef, Ann, brings warmth, creativity, and educational purpose to every plate. She regularly collaborates with faculty to design culinary experiences that complement classroom learning and foster cultural appreciation. From cooking tamales with students to honor the heritage of staff and families, to preparing special meals for Chinese New Year and other global celebrations, Chef Ann uses food as a gateway to curiosity and connection. In Kindergarten, students have even learned to make dog treats during a kindness unit, exploring how we care for our pets.

By integrating nutrition with learning and cultural exploration, St. Anne’s fosters a deep understanding of food as both nourishment and a powerful expression of community.

The St. Anne’s kitchen is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., offering an “all-you-care-to-eat” dining experience for students and staff.

Sustainability in Action

Meals at St. Anne’s are served on real plates with stainless steel silverware, reinforcing our values of responsibility and stewardship. After eating, students are expected to return their dishes, sort their leftovers between recycling and landfill, and deliver scraped plates back to the kitchen for washing. This daily practice instills age-appropriate lessons in waste reduction, sustainability, and environmental awareness, helping students understand the impact of their choices and the importance of caring for our planet.

What’s on the Menu?

  • Daily salad bar featuring seasonal produce, local (L) and organic (O) options when available
  • Housemade salad dressings and Maple Brown Sugar Granola (GF/VG) offered daily
  • A made-to-order deli bar with Boar’s Head meats and cheeses on BluePoint Bakery breads and rolls
  • Fresh fruit, available daily
  • Hearty, homemade soups and delicious, homestyle entrees that change seasonally to feature comfort foods and fresh flavors
  • Chef-inspired entrees highlighting trending ingredients and a wide variety of ethnic cuisines
  • Creative “small plate” dishes are introduced each Thursday
  • Vegetarian (V), vegan (VG), gluten-free (GF), and dairy-free (DF) options available every day
  • Freshly prepared desserts and treats on Fridays only, supporting balanced eating
  • Pop-up samplings and food demonstrations coordinated with our vendor partners
  • Special themed menus and events aligned with holidays and St. Anne’s community celebrations
  • St. Anne's Dining Hall does not serve any food with nuts. Our menus are nut free.