The advising program at HAS aims to counsel students by guiding them in various personal and academic areas in order to prepare them for success in a post-secondary English language school. Students begin the program in 6th grade and participate through their graduation from HAS. Students meet with advisors monthly to discuss academic progress, grades and attendance, course selections, testing opportunities, as well as college planning. The academic advisor acts as a guidance representative for students by engaging in open communication, assisting in establishing and achieving academic goals, exploring areas of interest and taking responsibility for their futures. Each grade level has certain focal areas:

 

Our 6th – 7th grade advising program focuses on familiarizing students with the tools they will need to succeed in an English language Middle School classroom setting. The advisor works with students to develop skills in the following areas:

• Establishing and pursuing goals for the school year

• Prioritizing and maintaining course workloads

• Developing proper study habits

• Test preparation strategies

• Conflict resolution

• Stress management

• Building peer relationships

 

In 8th grade, the program focus shifts to preparing students for the organization and academic rigor necessary for success in our high school program. All 8th grade students work with an advisor to further their skills including:

• Establishing and pursuing goals for the school year

• Assessing, prioritizing and maintaining course workloads

• Developing proper study habits

• Exploring areas of interest, both curricular and extra-curricular

• Understanding High School Graduation Requirements

• Test preparation strategies

• Future Course Planning

 

In 9th grade the advising program focuses on assessing students’ high school careers by advising them on making quality choices both in and out of the classroom. This includes:

• Establishing and pursuing goals for the school year

• Assessing, prioritizing and maintaining course workloads

• Exploring areas of interest, both curricular and extra-curricular

• Understanding High School Graduation Requirements

• Future course planning

• Completing a personal interests assessment

• Developing open communication channels with instructors

 

The program for 10th grade students furthers their skill development while focusing on the correlation between course selection and university program options. This includes:

• Establishing, pursuing, and achieving goals for the school year

• Course planning to meet high school requirements

• AP course assessment and counseling

• TOEFL/SAT assessment

• Determining personal interests and researching related fields of study

• Determining areas of interest pertaining to university study selections

• Completing a personal college study and career interest assessment

• Developing communication skills and effective interaction on group projects

 

In 11th grade students focus more on their academics in order to find universities that meet their needs. This includes:

• Achieving highest possible academic goals for the school year

• AP course assessment and counseling

• TOEFL/SAT/ACT assessment

• Researching schools aligned with student interests

• Researching admissions requirements for schools of interest

• Reviewing and assessing high school graduation requirements

• Reviewing application processes

• Finalizing university choices

 

Finally, 12th grade students will focus on all aspects of the college application process. Students will be assisted in initiating, managing and completing their college applications in a timely manner. Due to application deadlines, each semester of the course has a different focus. This includes:

 

1st Semester

• Managing requirements, dates and deadlines for each university application

• Guidance with college application essay writing

• Guidance in obtaining letters of recommendation

• Finalizing and submitting their applications
   

2nd Semester

• Enhancing writing and researching skills through college level essay assignments

• Expanding knowledge of the realities of campus life

• Researching course options in greater detail