ABSTRACT
Many small schools create structures to facilitate adult-student relationships in addition to, and sometimes in lieu of, creating smaller class sizes and smaller student loads. One common example is an 'advisory' class, in which every adult is assigned a small group of students to be their counselor, advocate, and school liaison for the students' families. The advisories meet periodically and provide a setting for relationship-building through group activities and conversations. Advisory content can vary, ranging from academic content and skills to social skills. The implementation of advisories can be more challenging than many schools anticipate. Advisory programs require a high level of investment in planning and teacher training. When an advisory is considered to be an additional class, with goals and expectations for both students and teachers, it can be part of a powerful support system for students.
