School Counseling

Luann Burrows, Upper School Counselor

As the 2022-2023 school year comes to a close, students will soon be rushing out the door with high expectations for a well-deserved, exciting summer vacation. At the same time, the administrative team is looking forward to a summer of intensive planning and preparation for a successful and innovative 2023-2024 school year at Sagemont Prep.

Last summer was the beginning of my first year at Sagemont Prep, and I was very impressed to be a witness and participant in the incredibly hard work that it takes to plan for a new school year. As our administrative team began to first debrief about the 2021-2022 school year, I quickly noted that COVID continued to be at the forefront of the conversation, especially its long-term effects on middle school and high school students and their families. Sagemont Prep successfully implemented the Advisory Program for 6th-12th grade students to ensure our teachers continually build meaningful relationships with each student to support their mental health and overall well-being.

The primary objective of our Advisory Program was to provide personalized support to students; having a designated mentor or advisor gave students a readily available, reliable resource to turn to when facing academic, personal, or social difficulties. Furthermore, advisory classes fostered a sense of belonging and connectedness within the Sagemont Prep community. By creating small groups or "advisory families," students formed more profound relationships with their peers. These groups provided a safe and supportive space where students shared experiences, celebrated successes, and encouraged each other. This sense of community helps to combat feelings of isolation, promotes inclusivity, and contributes to a positive school climate.

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