Writing Lab

Judith Alexander has a Masters degree in both English and Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University. At St. Scholastica Academy, she has taught English and served as the College Counselor for a total of thirty years. Currently, she serves as director of the Academy's Writing Lab. The Writing Lab assists students as they further develop writing skills for projects, school assignments, and college and scholarship applications.

The Writing Lab is located in the Library Reading Room and is available to students during and after school. The Writing Lab is supported by The Big Shoulders Fund and donations from alumnae and friends of the Academy.

Students come to the Academy's Writing Lab for help with class writing assignments as well as personal poetry and prose works.  Many seniors come in to talk about and plan their college application and scholarship essays.  The Lab also provides assistance for both seniors and juniors in preparing for the ACT/SAT writing tests.  Students who venture to the Lab once almost always return for help with other assignments or personal writing.  Many of the seniors have expressed interest in seeking out the Writing Labs at the colleges they plan to attend.  Such concern for good writing is certainly one of the goals of the Writing Lab. 

Helping students in the SSA Writing Lab is an interesting blend of English instruction and personal counseling.  Writing skills in young women seem to improve along with their self-confidence.  With affirmation and encouragement, students feel more motivated to work on second and third drafts of papers.  The importance that SSA gives to the writing process not only helps students prepare for college but also sets an example of how critical these writing skills will be throughout the students’ lives.