Academic Advisory
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges has established the following standard for high schools: “There shall be a formal, ongoing program through which each student has an adult member of the school community in addition to the school guidance counselor who personalizes each student’s educational experience, knows the student well, and assists the student in achieving the school-wide expectations for student learning.”
To that end, Scituate High School has instituted an Academic Advisory Program in which many homeroom teachers and other faculty volunteers meet with students monthly to discuss a wide variety of issues related to the high school experience. The program curriculum is intended to support academic success, and includes such topics as Goal Setting, Creating Positive School Culture, Career Counseling, High School Resume Building, Practical Life Skills, as well as a number of other topics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the Academic Advisories?
A: Academic Advisories are an opportunity for students to have another adult connection—connections that complement the connections students have with their counselors, classroom teachers, administrators and other adults in the building. The Academic Advisories give SHS an additional vehicle through which we can address issues that affect our school community.
Q: How often do the Academic Advisories meet?
A: Academic Advisories meet monthly as an extended homeroom
(30 minutes—from 7:18-7:48 am).
Q: What topics are covered during the Academic Advisories?
A: Each grade discusses a different subject each month.
Topics for December:
9th Grade - Guest speaker, Stephen Maguire, will discuss "Taking Care of Others".
10th Grade - pdf
11th Grade - pdf
12th Grade - pdf
Q: How are the Academic Advisories planned?
A: Available advisors meet ahead of time to plan lessons for each month. There are teachers who organize planning meetings for each grade’s advisory:
9th grade: Amy Heffernan (aheffernan@scit.org)
10th -12th grade: Kate Ciulla (kciulla@scit.org)
Kate Shanley (kshanley@scit.org)
Once the advisors determine the lesson plan, the coordinators of the academic advisory write up a formal lesson plan and put together all necessary materials for the lesson plan. These agendas and accompanying materials are then submitted to each advisor prior to the advisory. Lesson plans are suggested, and can be adjusted or replaced by the advisor based on what they think their advisory needs each month.
Q: Is there additional support for 9th graders?
A: Yes, peer mentors work with the 9th graders during advisories to answer questions and provide support. In some cases the peer mentors facilitate the activities of the advisories, and they often lead small group discussions with the three or four 9th graders they began working with during Freshmen Orientation.
Q: When will the advisories meet this year (2011/2012)?
A:
September 26th
October 28th
November 18th
December 14th
February 2nd
March 15th
April 24th
May 22nd
Questions? Feedback?
Please submit your questions about the Academic Advisories to:
9th grader: Amy Heffernan, aheffernan@scit.org
10th - 12th grade: Kate Ciulla, kciulla@scit.org or Kate Shanley, kshanley@scit.org.
