Every Academy student starts high school with an Advisory, a group of fellow students and one or two teachers that remain together until graduation. The purpose of Advisory is to offer students a core group of classmates and teachers to provide support and camaraderie.
Advisories now meet every school day for 15 minutes and also have lunch together. During that time, the students check in with each other and discuss events and activities like Carnival, Aloha United Way fundraising, food drives and more. They also participate in a variety of games, ice breakers and discussions, including movie marathons, trivia challenges, get-to-know-you conversations and Advisory-versus-Advisory challenges. All of these activities are designed to foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging.
Advisory is one component of Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning through the Support and Wellness (S+Well) department. “The goal of Advisory is to create a community where everyone feels welcome, known and safe,” said Maureen MacLeod, S+Well Department chair. “It really helps students understand that there are caring adults on campus who can support them.”