Building a Successful Advisory Program

Bronx School of Law and FinanceJuly 10th, 2008

Agenda

Who are we? Icebreaker Overview of our school Defining Advisory Overview of our advisory Challenges Benefits Lessons learned Future goals Your best practices Questions

Who are we?

Dr. Jessica Goring, Assistant Principal, Founding Member of the School

Xiomara Gonzalez, Math Teacher

Lena Borst, Academy of Finance Coordinator

Who’s in the Room? (Icebreaker)

The Bronx School of Law and Finance

Located in the Bronx, New York City Opened five years ago Approximately 400 Students Small themed high school

– Law Academy– Academy of Finance

Title I school with many students entering below grade level

A better view of who we are…

The Pearson Foundation created a video demonstrating personalization within our school.

http://www.pearsonfoundation-naf.org/academydevelopment/

What is advisory?

Please take this time to define advisory at your table (two minute brainstorm)

Share as a group Watch our students define our advisory

The History and Goals of Advisory at BSLF

Not creating a small-sized large school Established as part of the mission of

our school to create a small, personal learning environment

Attended workshops Hired advisory consultant Created intense PD for new teachers Expect the unexpected

Structure

30 minutes EVERY DAY Advisor and group of advisees stay together for

FOUR years Advisory considered a teacher prep/assignment Advisor becomes primary contact with student’s

home Advisor is liaison between student and content

teachers– Advisor meets with content teachers weekly

and then conferences with students individually

Structure continued…

Letter writingNon-traditional classroom set-upWhat happens in advisory stays in

advisoryTeacher freedom

30 minutes: Oh the possibilities…

What happens in advisory: Freshmen – Personal/Group Development,

Buy-in, Acclimation to High School Sophomore – Health, Personal/Group

Development Junior- SAT Prep, Academic Emphasis,

Professionalism, College Process Senior – College Applications, Preparing for

Life Beyond High School

Advisory Activities that Work

Banner competition Ice Breakers Games focused on group bonding Group Circle Discussions (Reflection,

Response to Articles) Update Days Positive Reward/Award Days (Trips/Parties) Music based activities

Challenges

Buy-in by teachers and students Standardized curriculum Common and consistent vision of advisory

among faculty and students Adjusting advisory to a growing school Inner-advisory conflict It’s emotional!!!!!!!! Teacher vs. Social Worker (“I wasn’t trained for

this.”)– Knowing your limits

Benefits of having an advisory

Personal Pride Daily Sense of Community Social Responsibility and Academic

Accountability Stronger Parent Communication with School Development of Inter-Personal Skills EVERY STUDENT IS WELL KNOWN BY AT LEAST

ONE ADULT

Lessons Learned

Necessity of a common vision and understanding of advisory

Necessity of meeting daily and staying together throughout high school

Maximum of 40 minutes Solid advisory lesson plans/curriculum Private environment

More Lessons Learned

Take the time to develop the advisors and ensure buy-in of faculty

Allow a full prep for advisory (this creates budget issues – but pick priorities)

Include advisory as part of your teacher selection process

Reflect on and change advisory as school evolves

Future Goals

Place a STRONG EMPHASIS on developing and maintaining common vision– Develop a standard curriculum

Ensure all new staff are fully acclimated and trained to be an advisor

Continue to improve communication and daily meetings between advisors, parents, students, and teachers

Other Ideas

What are some best practices for advisory at your school?

Questions