Positive relationships with both faculty and peers has a profound effect on students’ social-emotional growth and academic progress. The feeling of being believed in and valued by someone can be an affirming and transformative experience. York fosters connection for students with both faculty and classmates from different grade levels and family backgrounds via attentive and accessible staff as well as structured group meetings. This type of relationship building is at the heart of York’s supportive and welcoming community.

Student Support Staff

List of 4 items.

  • Assistant Head of School

    Assistant Head of School, Jon Zeljo, oversees much of our program, and can guide students and parents in many aspects of school life. He has a broad knowledge of teaching and learning and can guide students and their families in many aspects of School life, including academic questions, communication with teachers, and setting goals for their time at York.  jzeljo@york.org

  • School Psychologist

    School Psychologist, Dr. Lurena Brubaker, a certified counselor, has extensive experience with counseling in an academic setting and is trained in numerous counseling techniques. Parents/guardians and students are encouraged to communicate with the School Psychologist regarding any area of concern, including social integration at School, significant events at home, emotional difficulties, etc. The School Psychologist maintains a list of psychological consultants to recommend should parents/guardians or students desire more trained or specialized support.  lbrubaker@york.org

  • Director of College Counseling

    Director of College Counseling, Dean Partlow, provides students and parents/guardians with a complete guidance program that encompasses  college selection, college requirements, and application procedures, including tuition assistance, registration deadlines, and administration dates for current College Board and ACT tests. Beginning the second semester, juniors participate in a college preparation class called Pathways 11, while seniors participate in Pathways 12 during the first semester, as well as meet with the Director of College Counseling individually. Parents/guardians wishing to consult with the Director of College Counseling are welcome to phone or email Mr. Partlow for an appointment.  dpartlow@york.org

  • Class Deans

    Each grade level has a Class Dean—responsible for overseeing the personal progress of the students in that grade—with whom they meet regularly during Class Meetings. Class Deans have extensive experience with the needs of students in their particular grade levels and are familiar with a variety of potential solutions for common issues that arise. Class Deans are also familiar with each class member. They assist with overseeing student’s personal progress and work to cultivate a sense of belonging. Class Deans are responsible for curating a year-long experience that supports students and class culture. 

Learning Accommodations

York School is committed to enrolling a diverse student body. While we cannot fundamentally alter our curriculum, we are committed to assisting students with diagnosed learning differences. It is our goal that students will learn to advocate for themselves, to understand and be able to work with their particular learning needs, and to develop the tenacity, resilience, and positive attitude that will best serve them in the future. Therefore, we support the reasonable and fair accommodations that are recommended by qualified professional evaluators. Our Student Support Team works together in support of serving neurodiverse students.

Student Support Structure

Advisory

Advisory is usually made up of 8-10 students in multiple grade levels. Each group has an advisor who acts as discussion facilitator approximately twice per month. 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.

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 Academic Coach 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 Academic Coach 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 Meetings

Throughout the school year, faculty from each grade level meet reguarly to discuss the students in a given grade level. Co-led by the Assistant Head of School and 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 Counseling

Spanning 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.

York School

9501 York Road
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: 831-372-7338
We inspire and prepare a diverse community of creative, independent thinkers.
Since 1959, York School has created an exceptional college-prep experience for our youth: inspiring them to develop intellectual curiosity; challenging them to create and try new things; and preparing them to be passionate contributors in college and in life.
York School is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment and campus life. The School does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, parental status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any access to and treatment in School programs and activities.