Within the Upper School at HRA, the advisory program seeks to create a community within a community, matching students with caring adults who will serve as guides for a student’s journey through the academic, moral and physical challenges of the high school years. All HRA faculty members commit themselves to developing useful personal and academic advising skills, using as a model, the following proactive qualities.

At HRA each advisor seeks to:

Assist parents in becoming true partners in education through regular, professional communication, and by encouraging a healthy exchange of ideas and perspectives.

Build a sense of autonomy and self-worth in students by encouraging students to participate in extra-curricular activities and athletics, and to become leaders in the school community.

Encourage in their advisees ownership in the academic process, and pride in their accomplishments as students.

Guide students to see and understand the choices and consequences that they are confronted with as young adults.

Listen to the needs and concerns of students, and represent their interests in all areas of school life.

Promote honor and integrity in the school environment, by engaging students in dialogue and discussion of the school’s Honor Code, and by encouraging a healthy respect for the school and its mission.

Support each student who struggles with academic, emotional, and personal issues, as much as they are able, referring for professional assistance as appropriate.

Understand and help students understand what makes each student unique, including the cultural differences in a diverse school population.

The HRA advising program requires time and development for teachers, and is part of the professional expectations of all teachers. Teachers can, with dedication and training, become excellent advisors, making a lasting difference in the lives of their students. However, we also acknowledge that there are some issues that require professional assistance. For this reason, HRA is committed to providing a professional support staff of guidance counselors and administrators, who work in concert with the advising program.