Research tells us that advisory programs can play a critical role in a school´s overall academic and social success. Advisories are a primary vehicle for creating a more personalized learning environment where all students are well known by at least one adult. Moreover, advisory provides a structure and a set of practices for monitoring and supporting students´ academic progress and college readiness throughout their high school career.

Our advisory program is an important vehicle for ensuring that every student feels known, heard, valued, supported and understood. Through the programs, students gain key academic and social competencies that they will need for success in school and in life and make meaningful connections with other students and with adults.

In general, the goals of the advisory program are to:

• increase student motivation

• help students imagine their future

• connect families to student learning

• celebrate student achievement

• connect each student with a caring adult

• explore extracurricular options for students

• support identity formation

• encourage lifelong learning

• increase self awareness

• emphasize applications of knowledge

• clarify graduation requirements

• prepare for the college application process

• define a personal pathway

• promote self reflection and evaluation

In the Upper School, our advisory program matches one teacher to ten students. Each day the group meets to discuss important issues that relate to students success. A formal curriculum is in place; however, teachers and students are encouraged to explore topics that are of specific interest to the group.