Rethinking Advisory

Research shows that when students have a meaningful relationship with an adult at school, they are more likely to succeed academically – but traditional academic learning in senior school often leaves little time to make these connections. We also know that engaging students in both Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and academic lessons is the best way to help students succeed in a complex and changing world.

The new advisory model will put relationships and sense of community at its core. Each and every student in advisory will be well known and supported socially, emotionally and academically by advisors (and others in the advisory team e.g. personalised learning advocates & counselors). Each advisory session will provide a safe and respectful space for relationship building, academic progress monitoring and character development.

Advisory also encourages students to build positive connections between each other, in spite of differences.

How does it work?

The advisory period is an integral part of the school day. While not a credited class, students’ consistent attendance will be necessary to create a supportive community that facilitates academic, emotional, personal and social success. Advisors will be critical in establishing an environment where students want to be.

Advisors and their students meet for a minimum of 45 minutes during designated school days. The advisory model puts relationships and sense of community at its core and has as its main objectives:

-        Each advisory session will provide a safe and respectful space for relationship building with adults and peers, academic progress monitoring and character development.

-        Each and every student will feel included and accepted for any difference (e.g., cultural background and exceptionality)

-        The selected social-emotional learning activities will align with the five core Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL - casel.org) competencies: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making, Relationship Skills and Social Awareness.

Advisories will be organized according to year level. Ideally, advisory size will not exceed 12 students to give adequate time for meaningful sharing and relationship building.