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The advisory program supports the School's mission to develop the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth of each student. Students have advisors who serve as advocates and mentors as well as liaisons with the families. In their advising groups, students develop a close relationship with both the advisor and with fellow advisees. Students have opportunities to discuss everything from selecting courses, balancing extracurricular aspects of their lives, or learning to reinforce good relationships.

Although academic advising, monitoring, and problem solving is central to the relationship between the advisor and the advisee, the advisory group is also a source of support in dealing with balancing academic and extracurricular demands and in understanding relational issues. Advisory groups meet three times a months to discuss issues which are grade-level appropriate. In the freshman year, discussions focus on time management and study skills. In the sophomore year, discussions focus on relationships and development of leadership skills. In the junior and senior years, discussions focus on college counseling issues.

In addition to meeting as a group, advisors meet regularly with their advisees on an individual basis to discuss academic progress and other personal issues. When necessary, advisors meet with an advisee's parents to coordinate strategies to help the student both at home an in School. Annually, an advisor meets with a student and his/her parents to plan the student's academic program for the following year.

Advising groups are small so that there is a significant bond between advisors and advisees and among the advisees themselves. Advisory groups are confidential so that members of the group can feel comfortable in sharing their concerns.

The Confidentiality Caveat

There are certain matters that cannot be kept confidential. They include:

• If a student is a danger to him/herself.
• If a student expresses an intent to harm someone else.
• If a student states that he/she has been abused by an adult—physically, emotionally, or sexually.