Middle School Advisory Program

Lindsay Boris and Daniela Maffeo Arrupe Division

Boston College High School

What is Advisory?

• Advisory programs play a critical role in a middle school’s overall academic and student support services plan

• Create a meaningful relationship with one adult in the school and a small peer group

• Connection to school community

• Cura Personalis – care for the whole person

Characteristics of Effective Advisory Groups:

• Address issues of community• Promote open communication• Directly improves academic performance• Functions as a community of learners

These suggestions have been adapted from “Creating a Culture of Connectedness Through Middle School Advisory Programs” (2009) by Sarah Brody Shulkind and Jack Foote.

Strong Advisors:

• Know and care about their advisees

• Closely supervise their advisees’ academic progress

• Problem solvers and advice givers

Arrupe Advisory Goals• Students will grow and develop academically, emotionally,

morally, and socially.• Develop a personal relationship with an adult figure and

become a member of a small peer group.• Increase the sense of belonging and connectedness to the

Arrupe Division.• Discuss their own self-development as they strive to meet the

standards of the Graduate at Graduation. • Learn how to become active and responsible members of the

BC High community. • Promote coordination and communication between home

and school.

Advisors vs. Guidance Counselors

• Advisors handle day-to-day issues for advisees– Monitor the students’ academic progress – “Front line” of communication with parents– Facilitate meetings with Advisory group

• Guidance Counselors work with all students on caseload– Meet individually with students/develop individual

accommodation plans for students– Handle more difficult situations (academic/social/emotional)– Run Guidance Groups– Oversee 7th and 8th grade Guidance Curriculum

What does Advisory look like in the Arrupe Division?

• All full time faculty members are Advisors

• 12:1 teacher to student ratio

• Meet during Advisory period bi-weekly

• Parent communication• Community service

experiences

Advisory Topics

Goal Setting

Expectations and “Nuts and Bolts”

Team building & Ice breakers

Academic Integrity

Respect for others/Bullying awareness

Friendship

Self-identity

Stress relief

Academic motivation

Organizational skills

Fun games and activities!

Tips for running an Advisory meeting:

• Common classroom rules should apply to the Advisory sessions– A commitment to the program– Clarification of expected behaviors, and – Involving the students themselves in discussions

critiquing the program• Each Advisory group will develop independently,

and groups should not be compared with others• Developing trust and connectedness cannot be

forced—it takes time

Parent Communication

• Advisors are the primary contact for the parents of advisees.

– September phone calls– October conferences– Additional

meetings/contact throughout the year as needed

How has Advisory impacted the students and the Advisors?

• Advisor surveys• Academic support• Parent communication• Individual experiences• Connectedness

Does Advisory work in high schools?

• Goals, topics, and themes need to be adjusted appropriately for developmental level

• Montserrat Mentorship Program for 9th and 10th grade students will be introduced at BC High next year

Where to go from here?

• Assess your needs– What are your school’s needs?– What do your students need?– Understanding strengths and

challenges• Get faculty on-board• Communicating with parents

to get their support

Introductory Lesson

Report Card Reflection

Closing Lesson

Thank you for your interest in Advisory

Please contact us if you have any questions:

• Lindsay Boris• lboris@bchigh.edu

• Daniela Maffeo• dmaffeo@bchigh.edu