Counseling Department

Be Prepared for Success in Academics, Personal Growth & College

Caring, attentive and highly-skilled college and school counselors work closely with each student to ensure that he or she is well prepared, academically and socially, for success in high school and ultimately with the college admissions process. CB is the only local high school to provide students with dedicated grade-level counselors, a four-year comprehensive counseling program, and a wellness and prevention program to proactively address the many choices and challenges facing teens today.


Wellness Counseling

Wellness at Christian Brothers encourages student responsibility for being their best selves within a full, balanced, and healthy lifestyle.

Wellness is a state of being healthy. It is a proactive pursuit of continued growth and balance in seven essential areas: Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Academic, Emotional, Social, and Environmental.

More simply put, wellness is the ability to know one’s needs and find – then sustain – balance between the mind, body, and spirit, thus creating the opportunity to thrive.

Click here to visit the Wellness Counseling page.


Important College Information & Forms

Questions to Ask a College Representative

Teacher Recommendation Form

Secondary School Report/Counselor Recommendation Form/Initial Transcript


Counselor assignments for the school year are:

Armando Diaz ’94

Armando Diaz '94

Grade Level Counselor for Class of 2024, Counseling Department Chair

Counseling Department

Contact

Phone: 916-733-3692

Email: adiaz@cbhs-sacramento.org


Melissa McClellan

Melissa McClellan

Director of College Counseling

Counseling Department

Contact

Phone: 916-733-3679

Email: mmcclellan@cbhs-sacramento.org


Emily McDougall

Emily McDougall

Wellness Counselor, Wellness Program Coordinator

Counseling Department

Contact

Phone: 916-733-3688

Email: emcdougall@cbhs-sacramento.org


April Melarkey

April Melarkey

College Counselor

Counseling Department

Contact

Phone: 916-733-3658

Email: amelarkey@cbhs-sacramento.org


Juanita Patterson ’81

Juanita Patterson '81

WELLNESS COUNSELOR

Counseling Department

Contact

Phone: 916-733-3655

Email: jpatterson@cbhs-sacramento.org


Kirk Purdy

Kirk Purdy

Grade Level Counselor for Class of 2027

Counseling Department

Contact

Phone: 916-733-3686

Email: kpurdy@cbhs-sacramento.org


John Riley-Portal

John Riley-Portal

Grade Level Counselor for Class of 2025 & Brother David Brennan Program Coordinator

Counseling Department

Contact

Phone: 916-733-3678

Email: jrileyportal@cbhs-sacramento.org


Michelle Timm, M.A., PPS

Michelle Timm, M.A., PPS

Grade Level Counselor for Class of 2026

Counseling Department

Contact

Phone: 916-733-3613

Email: mtimm@cbhs-sacramento.org

Cynthia Grajeda

Cynthia Grajeda

Counseling Department Administrative Assistant

Counseling Department

Contact

Phone: 916-733-3680

Email: cgrajeda@cbhs-sacramento.org