Advisory and Student Led Conferences began as a means to increase parental involvement at Metropolitan Business Academy. It has evolved into a class that meets weekly for seventy minutes to promote self advocacy skills, self reflection skills, presentation skills in students, as well as helping students focus on themselves as people instead of just grades and test scores. Advisory helps improve school climate and culture because both students and parents have one specific person to contact when there are any issues that need to be resolved, students know there is at least one adult in the building who can advocate for them or help them advocate for themselves, and students become more invested in their own academic success when they are given detailed feedback from teachers and time to reflect on their progress. Each teacher acts as an advisor for 10-15 students each year. This helps students know at least one adult in the building is there to help them be successful in school and outside of school. Conferences take place mid-way through each trimester, so students can create action plans and improve their grades if needed. When students are in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade, students, parents, and advisors have a 15-20 minute individualized appointment where the students present their grades and best pieces of work from each class. When they share their work, they connect to the NHPS 21st Century Competencies, rate their work on the competencies, and explain why they have given themselves that rating. They will also discuss their social/emotional/physical needs, gains, and goals, as well as their college/career readiness and goals. The group can discuss improvement plans or the possibility of completing honors contracts when applicable, as well as any other needs the student may have. When students are in 12th grade, they complete their 21st Century Senior Portfolio Presentation in the spring. Their first two conferences help them prepare for this far more extensive exit task.
At least once a month, students have academic advisory. The week before academic advisory, students pick which teachers they need to work with; this can be to make up missing work, to revise tasks, and/or to complete honors contracts. Grade level teams spend meeting time prior to academic advisory making sure every student has a place and that no teacher has too many students assigned to them for academic advisory. Lists are both emailed to students and posted in the building for students to see where they will go. Many teachers have students complete an entrance/exit ticket in order to better assist students during academic advisory. The exit ticket portion aligns to the initiative strand of the 21st Century Competencies.