1. Middle School Advisory Program
Lindsay Boris and Daniela Maffeo
Arrupe Division Boston College High School

2. 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

3. 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.

4. Strong Advisors: Know and care about their advisees
Closely supervise their advisees’ academic progress
Problem solvers and advice givers

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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!

9. 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

10. 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

11. How has Advisory impacted the students and the Advisors?
Advisor surveys
Academic support
Parent communication
Individual experiences
Connectedness

12. 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

13. Where to go from here? Assess your needs Get faculty on-board
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

14. Introductory Lesson

15. Report Card Reflection

16. Closing Lesson

17. Thank you for your interest in Advisory
Please contact us if you have any questions:
Lindsay Boris
Daniela Maffeo