Path Advisory
Path is an advisory group usually made up of 8-10 students in multiple grade levels. Each Path group has an advisor who acts as discussion facilitator once per cycle. Discussions focus on topics of character, social and emotional intelligence, and other subjects of the wider world. The purpose of the group meetings is to encourage students to think beyond the academic and beyond their individual experiences to foster a sense of purpose and greater meaning in their lives.
Why is it called Path? In popular culture, many people think independent schools prepare a path for their students. At York, we’re focused on preparing our students for their paths by helping them develop the kind of non-cognitive life skills – resiliency, determination, empathy – that will help them navigate their future.
Tutorials
Our teachers are committed to their students’ success. The School schedule is designed to help students connect with their teachers for additional support or challenge in their classes. Students are encouraged to meet with teachers during scheduled tutorials several times a week or during another time slot when teachers are available.
To further support students’ academic achievement and school-life balance, our Learning Specialist works with students individually to offer strategies for organizing, prioritizing, and calendaring of their academic and extracurricular lives. One-on-one sessions may include:
- Visualizing academic goals and benchmarks
- Boosting note-taking skills
- Constructing and revising essays
- Mapping out study sessions before exams
- Advocating for learning accommodations
- Utilizing technology to assist reading, writing, and studying
- Rehearsing presentation
- Following up on progress
- Celebrating successes
Both the Learning Specialist and our faculty help students adopt a growth mindset toward learning and time management by developing executive functioning skills and deepening self-confidence that directly benefits their academic and individual success.
Our alumni routinely report that learning how to seek assistance from their teachers at York helped prepare them to take full advantage of their professors’ office hours in college. They note that this is a skill their college classmates often lack and credit York with making this part of their transition to university life much easier.
Grade Level MeetingsThroughout the school year, faculty from each grade level meet weekly to discuss the students in a given grade level. Led by the Class Dean, these meetings allow teachers to share the academic and social development of all students in the grade and strategies to help students be successful. These meetings also help the School make sure students are connecting with friends and adults on campus. Action steps include teachers meeting with students to offer assistance or reassurance, calls or emails to parents to discuss areas of concern, and other strategies suggested during the meeting.
Pathways - College CounselingSpanning the junior and senior years, Pathways provides focused instruction and support for students as they explore their post-secondary educational options. Students have the opportunity to support each other and to develop deeper relationships with faculty members during this process.