Advisors & Advisory Program
The advisory program at Millennium provides a consistent and comprehensive support system for students throughout their three-year journey. Each advisor is assigned a small group of 8-10 students, fostering deep, meaningful connections that enhance both academic and personal growth.
BUILDING STRONG FOUNDATIONS
The advisor-student relationship begins with a summer home visit before school starts, setting the stage for open communication and trust. As the primary contact for families, advisors ensure parents are closely involved in their child’s educational journey. They facilitate student-led conferences, allowing conversations to build on each other and providing continuity in addressing evolving needs.
ROLE OF ADVISORS
Advisors act as mentors, advocates, and coaches, embodying the role of “in loco parentis.” They are instrumental in shaping students’ experiences, guiding them through challenges, and celebrating achievements. This relationship often endures well beyond the students’ time at the school. They regularly review students’ progress reports, providing targeted support to enhance communication skills, executive functioning, and academic achievement.
WEEKLY FORUM
Advisors lead a weekly Forum, a dedicated space for students to develop social-emotional and relational skills. These sessions allow students to explore topics pertinent to adolescent development, enhancing their ability to navigate complex social dynamics.
COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT STRUCTURE
Millennium maintains a low student-to-Guide ratio of 7:1 in the classroom, and less than 5:1 when considering all faculty members as Guides. Our close-knit community ensures every student can find a trusted adult to assist with academic challenges or personal conflicts.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Advisors play a crucial role in conflict resolution, utilizing Millennium’s model to facilitate “clearings” that help repair relationships and resolve disputes among students.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
When necessary, the Dean of Students provides scaffolded support, guiding students through more complex challenges and connecting them with external resources tailored to their needs.
ADVISORY PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Students participate in advisory sessions three to four times a week during a designated 30-minute block, and for an hour each Wednesday for Forum.
SESSION CONTENT
Advisory sessions are multifaceted, providing both academic and social support. Activities include:
- Developing executive functioning skills (planning and organization)
- Engaging in social-emotional learning
- Discussing emerging topics relevant to students’ lives
- Academic support
- One-on-one check-ins with advisors
- Fun team-building activities
GOAL SETTING & SELF-ASSESSMENT
The advisory program emphasizes goal-setting and self-assessment, critical components for becoming self-directed learners. Students engage in frequent self-assessment, occurring alongside course assessments. Each term, they review progress and set new goals, with guides providing challenges to push students beyond their comfort zones.
SKILLS FOR LIFELONG LEARNING
The advisory program equips students with skills necessary to thrive in any learning environment, focusing on:
- Executive function
- Organization
- Goal setting
- Mindfulness
This approach prepares students not just for academic success but to become thoughtful, proactive members of society. Advisors, deeply committed to each student’s growth and well-being, play a pivotal role in guiding this transformative journey.