Advisory

The purpose of the advisory program is to help teachers know a small group of students well in all realms of their lives (academic, intellectual, social, emotional, family, interests). The advisor serves as an advocate for the student and as a co-parent who works with the family to encourage and support students. A major emphasis of the Advisory program throughout Middle School is positive identity development and healthy decision making as adolescents question and explore their role in the world around them. Each semester, the advisor, student, and parent/guardian meet for an in depth parent-advisor-student conference to review the student’s progress and to listen as the student reflects on what he or she has done well and goals with which he or she requires support.

In the Middle School, advisories meet each day during morning and afternoon homeroom to check in and organize together. In addition, advisories meet for one class period a week to engage in discussions about critical issues in their community and to participate in team building activities. The advisory also meets once a week for tutorial to organize, learn study skills, and to check in with advisors on academic progress. Throughout the year, each grade level works on developing an understanding of an essential question or theme. Fifth grade students learn the importance of discovery. They explore what it means to make a true discovery about themselves and the world around them. Sixth grade students identify the tenets of making good choices. They spend time discussing how to make good choices and how their choices affect the world around them. Seventh grade students work at developing their identities. They create a working definition of who they are among their peers, the community, and the world. Eighth grade students define leadership, identify positive and effective leaders, and model leadership qualities for the rest of the school.