Our Advisory Program
Advisory Program
Every student at the International HS @ Prospect Heights is a member of an advisory group that with few exceptions will remain together over the 4 years of high school. The purpose of the advisory program is to develop students’ commitment to active and informed citizenship, foster a sense of community within the school, enable students to make meaningful connections with peers and at least one adult, and help students learn academic and life skills that will contribute to their success. Advisory meets twice a week and each grade has a focus. Ninth grade advisories focus on integration, conflict resolution, and community building, while tenth grade advisories focus on health and relationships. In 11th grade, there is a strong college preparation component where students visit colleges and prepare for the college application process. The 12th grade advisory focuses on career development, internships, and transitioning to college.
Goals
Citizenship - Students will:
- Become active, informed, and critical citizens in a global society.
- Develop the convictions and skills to contribute to the creation of a more just, equitable, and humane society.
- Accept and celebrate differences.
Community - Students will:
- Feel a sense of belonging in the school, community, and society.
- Develop a sense of community and camaraderie that will support them in facing school and life changes.
- Communicate effectively in both English and their native language to promote inclusion.
- Develop a sense of voice, feel comfortable speaking freely, openly and frankly, and accept responsibility for what they say.
- Develop respect for the ambiguity and tolerance for the discomfort associated with open discussions.
- Feel confident and strong enough to contribute to their community.
- Understand and respect the rights of others.
- Discuss concerns and address obstacles encountered at school and in life in New York City and the United States.
- Adjust to the demands of high school successfully.
Connectedness - Students will:
- Be known and feel known and supported consistently by one adult.
- Develop empathy, understanding, and respect of students who are different from themselves in terms of culture, language, religion, and other aspects of identity.
- See each other as resources and provide one another with mutual support.
- Experience a cohesive advisory group identity, despite linguistic, cultural, political and other differences.
Academic and Life Skills - Students will:
- Be more self-aware, self-managed, and self-directed.
- Develop the affective language to express their feelings and get help.
- Communicate effectively, problem solve and resolve conflict peaceably.
- Understand the importance of working collaboratively and work effectively in teams and groups.
- See the connection between success in school and later success in life, and learn to set, organize, and plan.
- Develop the skills necessary to make choices and decisions about their lives.
- Seek academic support and help as needed.
- Feel validation and encouragement for the development and use of their native language.
- Cope with stress in ways that are not harmful to themselves or others.