Advisory is a recurring and consistent small-learning community with dedicated time in the daily or weekly schedule intended to provide opportunities to cultivate a sense of belonging, support learner agency, and explore strengths and interests. In Expeditionary Learning schools this structure is called “Crew” and it can go by many different names. It also isn’t just a structure for secondary schools. Elementary schools take on elements of advisory through morning meeting structures and in some cases structures such as houses, which are multi-grade small learning communities focused on building relationships and culture.

Advisors are educators who lead the advisory group and class period. They serve as mentors and guides to support learners both in and out of school. You can learn more about supporting learners with social emotional learning and building community in our course, Nurture a Meaningful and Engaging Learning Community.

Michigan City Public Schools launched Crew, EL Education’s structure and culture to implement an advisory concept. Students see themselves as “crew, not passengers,” meaning they are actively engaged. Learn more in this podcast.

Source: Compass Circles is a structure implemented at Collegiate Hall, to ensure students communicate, build relationships, and practice empathy.

At NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies, students lead their own Crew sessions, called Try Stuff where they design a lesson for their advisory group around a topic of their choice. Student-led lessons included students teaching origami, discussing the Kardashians, golf, slime and laundry. Read this article for more information and a step-by-step guide to make student-led advisory happen in your context.

John Muir Elementary has implemented a house system to build community and engagement. These are cross-grade level groups that participate in meetings and rallies, focused on building their SOAR principles.