The adviser role is essential to the health and well being
of students, and caring for students is the top
priority of the adviser program. This is not an alternative
to academics as a priority, but rather a precondition for
academic and social success. Well-developed relationships
are the key to a productive community and the adviser program
is one of the primary ways to track and to meet those needs.
The Role of the Adviser
An adviser has three primary roles:
Academic monitor
- Addresses issues related to academic performance.
- In the Upper School, advisers discuss and help facilitate a four-year
educational plan and develops an appropriate awareness of the college
application process and preparation for the demands
of college work.
Advocate
- Functions as a coach and mentor through encouragement,
affirmation, and building trust.
- Provides support in conflict situation.s
- Acknowledges and praises accomplishments and improvements.
Facilitator
- Communicates progress with students, parents, deans, and other
appropriate school personnel.
- Promotes each student's individual interests and talents.
- Provides support or encourages seeking extra support.
Program Expectations
Given the three roles of an adviser, each adviser will be expected to:
- Get to know each advisee through group meetings, individual
meetings, group activities, and informal seeking out on campus.
- Know each advisee’s program and communicate regularly
with teachers and coaches.
- Get to know the parents by calling them periodically.
- Keep notes on the student.
- Provide a forum for the discussion of school issues.
- Make, when appropriate or necessary for an advisee,
referrals to trained specialists or other resources.