Advising and Counseling

Advising

At Pingree our advising program is a constant reminder that we are here to educate the whole child.  We must challenge students to develop their intellects, their interpersonal skills, and their personal sets of values.  Schools often talk about character education, which has been defined as development of "self-discipline, empathy, integrity, resilience, and courage" (Pink, 2005).  We believe that learning is a collaborative process, and that we nurture these attributes in relationship with others, including parents, peers, teachers, coaches, and advisors.  At Pingree we have created the Advisory  program to enhance interpersonal connection and monitoring of the overall well being of students.  This program emphasizes the importance of seeing a whole person in context and of developing skills for life.

Advisors act as the primary advocates for our students and as the primary connections between home and school.  They mentor and support students, who are negotiating the challenges of high school.  They act as touchstones or anchors for students and parents, who will encounter many different people and situations along the journey from freshman orientation to graduation.  Advisors also make every effort to know students and families well and to understand what our specific shared goals are for each individual student.  Advisors are indispensible resources, as they help families maximize their experiences at our school.  Above all, advisors play an essential role in carrying out our school's mission, to support students in development of academic excellence and high personal standards. 

Counseling

Pingree recognizes the considerable changes adolescents experience between the ninth and twelfth grades.  Students are challenged academically, athletically, artistically, socially, morally, and even spiritually.  They are developing the ability to think more abstractly and to hold opposing ideas in mind.  They are making decisions with potentially long-term consequences, and they are reflecting on the kind of young adults they are becoming.  Pingree has a full-time counselor on staff, who has training and experience working with this age group.  She is available to students, parents, faculty and staff for consultation. 

Pink, Daniel. (2005). A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future. New York: Riverhead.