Life Skills and Advisory

Every student is part of an advisory group of 9-10 students across grade levels that is led by a middle school teacher. Advisory groups meet weekly with their advisor. This is a time to check in with a caring adult who knows them well, get advice from peers, discuss social-emotional topics relevant to middle school students, play games, and have fun. Students typically stay with the same advisor through their middle school experience. After three years, these adults may become a student’s strongest advocate and closest mentor.

Students participate in Life Skills class in sixth grade, study sex education as part of seventh grade science class, and take Human Development class in eighth grade. In sixth grade, Life Skills includes study skills, lessons on how to navigate middle school, peer pressure and digital citizenship. Seventh grade sex education is grounded in anatomy and biology, and includes frank conversations about the physical and emotional changes that occur during adolescence. Eighth grade human development focuses on making good choices, and tackles topics such as peer pressure and drug and alcohol education.