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Mentors Who Motivate

The mission of our advising program is to connect our Chapin values of service, action and inclusion to our academic and student life program.

Every student is assigned a faculty advisor who becomes that student’s primary mentor, support person, and parent contact. The advisor helps each new student make the best possible adjustment to school life and returning students form a relationship that often goes beyond graduation.

We match students with an advisor based on the student’s strengths, challenges, and interests.

Advisors assist and support students with their overall well being and experience here at SAS, motivating advisees to be advocates for themselves. This involves assisting in goal setting, self-monitoring, and developing strategies to become active learners. Additionally, advisors will help to facilitate discussions on different aspects of the program. If a student is experiencing a problem or if a teacher, coach, or dorm parent has concerns about a student, the advisor is the first line of communication.


Advisors also assist with the following:

  • Parent Communication

Advisors frequently contact parents to discuss their child’s progress. Parents are contacted by the student's advisor within the first few weeks of school to get acquainted with one another and discuss any issues of concern for the parents. Communication typically comes in the form of an email but is sometimes a phone call as well. This communication continues every two weeks after the initial contact. Advisors reflect not only on the student’s academic achievements and challenges but also on a student's socio-emotional growth, peer interactions, and conduct.

  • Effort Marks

Along with end-of-quarter grades, effort marks are kept track of because they are crucial to a student's success. They serve as an indication of whether a student is working to his or her potential. Advisors often help the students see how others see them and encourage them to do their best.

  • Course Selection

Advisors meet with their advisors individually every spring to discuss appropriate course selections for the upcoming school year. They help students keep track of the academic credits necessary to graduate and to choose courses at the correct level.