Advisement+Houses

The Advisement Houses of NewWest will be in many ways the heart of the school, where advisement, comradrie, and ownership are nurtured.

 Advisement Houses provide a physical place for students and educators to // build relationships // while preparing for life after West, a window for understanding others in the school and community, and a means to ensure security and well-being. The goal of Advisement is to provide every student with an adult advocate who will help her or him design and personalize their experience at West High School. At this new sustainability school, students will be required to declare a "focus," similar to the requirements at DSA and DCIS. To belong to a West House is to belong to an affinity group of other students who explore what it means to pursue a standard of excellence in an activity or academic interest of meaning to them.

**__ MISSION STATEMENT __**  The mission of the (N)WHS Advisement Program is to provide every student an adult advocate to help him or her personalize the total education experience. Each advisor will have in-depth knowledge of each advisee.

**__ OBJECTIVES __**  Three objectives frame the Advisement Program, focusing on providing student ownership of the educational experience:
 * 1) All 'House Teachers' will demonstrate a personal concern for students as individuals. Every academic teacher will be assigned to advise a varied group of 15-18 students. Every House Teacher will strive to provide students with an opportunity to develop stronger relationships with peers and school personnel.
 * 2) Advisors assist students with school and career planning. In advising the group, House Teachers increase their own understanding of the areas of curriculum offerings, graduation requirements, and school policies.
 * 3) Within each house, every student's individualized program of study will be monitored and like all such matters at New West, stored in an electronic Portfolio. Importantly, every student's participation in internships, community projects and extracurricular activities will be monitored via an Advisement House.

**__ PROGRAM GOALS __**
 * 1) Create a “sense of family” and “belonging”.
 * 2) Produce self-sufficient, responsible learners.
 * 3) Expand understanding of the total school educational program in areas including curriculum, requirements, and policies.
 * 4) Provide a means for students to frequently assess themselves.
 * 5) Provide an opportunity where both advisors and advisees can sit, talk, relax, and not feel pressured.
 * 6) Give students a positive channel to express concerns about the school.
 * 7) Allow students the opportunity to excel in at least one arena of academic or school life.

Advisement, performed in concert with an in-house Earth Force staff member for service learning, will help students see and negotiate their own pathway of life choices and requirements. Students will have a secure, online map that will be part of the advisement curriculum. The affinity groupings of the NewWest advisement houses can assist students with networking and mutual support while pursuing an activity or interest of interest to them and something at which they have some sense of success.