What are the benefits of advisory periods in enhancing school culture?
Using Advisory Periods to Build School Culture
In the push to strengthen school culture, educators are rediscovering one of the most powerful yet underused tools: the advisory period. Once seen as just a placeholder in the school schedule, advisory time has evolved into a cornerstone of connection, belonging, and whole-child support.
Advisory periods, when done well, help students feel seen, not just as learners, but as people. They build trust, foster relationships, and create the kind of school climate where everyone feels they belong. This post explores how advisory periods have developed over time and why they’re more important than ever in today’s schools.
What Is an Advisory Period?
An advisory period is a regularly scheduled time during the school day where a small group of students meets with a designated staff member, often called an advisor, outside of traditional academic subjects.
Core functions include:
Building relationships
Facilitating goal setting and academic monitoring
Providing a safe space for student voice
Strengthening school values and culture
Supporting social-emotional learning (SEL)
Think of it as a homeroom with purpose; structured time where students and adults connect meaningfully.
The Evolution of Advisory: From Logistics to Leadership
To personalize effectively, start by building a full picture of each student.
Past: Administrative Function
In the 1980s and 90s, advisory periods were often used for:
Attendance taking
Locker checks
Morning announcements
Test prep and paperwork
The emphasis was logistical, not relational.
Present: Emotional and Cultural Anchors
Modern advisory periods serve a much deeper function:
Celebrating milestones and birthdays
College and career planning
Identity exploration and belonging activities
Mentoring and check-ins
SEL curriculum and restorative circles
This shift reflects a broader movement toward holistic education and student-centered learning.
Future: School Culture Accelerators
Schools are now designing advisory models that align with:
Equity and inclusion goals
Mental health support systems
Peer mentorship programs
Whole-school culture-building strategies
As advisory evolves, it’s becoming the emotional engine of the school, not just a scheduling convenience.
Why Advisory Periods Matter for School Culture
School culture is more than rules, rituals, and reputation, it’s about relationships. Advisory is the bridge between students and the school community.
5 Top Benefits:
1. Stronger Student-Adult Relationships
Advisors become trusted adults that the students can turn to
Regular, consistent contact builds rapport over time
Teachers better understand student needs and strengths
2. Improved Sense of Belonging
Inclusion activities reduce isolation and bullying
Smaller groups create safe, supportive communities
Students get to know peers they might not otherwise connect with
3. Increased Student Engagement
Advisors help students set goals and reflect on their learning journey
SEL lessons and reflection prompts spark meaningful conversations
When students feel known, they engage more
4. Proactive Support for At-Risk Students
Advisors notice changes in behavior early
Advisory becomes a protective factor in school mental health efforts
Students are referred to additional supports before issues escalate
5. Stronger Staff Culture
Non-core teachers (e.g., art, PE) play leadership roles
Shared responsibility for culture shifts schoolwide attitudes
Teachers collaborate more across grade levels
What Advisory Can Look Like: Formats That Work
There’s no one-size-fits-all model, but the best advisory programs share certain characteristics.
Common Advisory Structures:
Daily or weekly sessions, ranging from 20-45 minutes
Multi-grade or grade-specific groups (6th-grade only or 9-12 looped)
Small group size (typically 10-15 students)
Advisor consistency (same teacher for multiple years if possible)
Activities Might Include:
Academic check-ins and GPA tracking
Icebreakers and team-building games
Restorative circles or conflict resolution discussions
SEL lessons tied to CASEL competencies
Service projects or school spirit activities
Real-World Examples: Advisory in Action
Urban Middle School, New York
Implemented a trauma-informed advisory model with a focus on self-regulation and emotional literacy. Over two years, disciplinary referrals dropped by 45%.
Suburban High School, Oregon
Launched a college-and-career-focused advisory program. Students worked on resumes, practiced interviews, and set academic goals. The graduation rate increased by 12% in three years.
International School, Singapore
Blended advisory with global citizenship themes. Students led discussions on current events, identity, and ethics. The school saw a measurable increase in cross-cultural empathy and collaboration.
Advisors help students set goals and reflect on their learning journey
Common Implementation Challenges and How to Address Them
Even great ideas hit roadblocks. Here’s what schools often face when launching or refining advisory:
Lack of Clear Purpose
Solution: Define advisory goals in your school improvement plan and provide staff with a simple, clear vision.
Uneven Buy-In from Teachers
Solution: Offer PD that shows how advisory aligns with core teaching goals (engagement, belonging, behavior). Let teachers co-create advisory plans.
Not Enough Time
Solution: Embed advisory into the master schedule with protected time, not just when it's convenient or during homeroom.
Weak Curriculum
Solution: Use a flexible but structured framework (e.g., Second Step, Wayfinder, Open Circle) and adapt for your community.
Advisory as a Cultural Foundation
When advisory is part of your school’s DNA, it builds:
A safe space for identity development, difficult conversations, and goal setting
A shared responsibility among staff for student well-being
A web of relationships that support academic and emotional success
In a time when students face more pressure, anxiety, and disconnection than ever, advisory can serve as their daily anchor.
Invest in Advisory, Invest in Culture
If culture is “this is how we do things here,” then advisory is this is how we do relationships here. It’s where students find mentors, friendships, purpose, and often, themselves. Advisory is essential. When students feel like they belong, schools become more than institutions; they become communities.
Ready to dive deeper?
Explore Project-Based Learning Starter Kit — step-by-step guidance to design inquiry-based projects that engage students. Also part of the Engaging Instruction Pack.
Project-Based Learning Starter Kit
Why Teachers Love It:
Teachers love it because it takes the guesswork out of PBL, offering step-by-step guidance and project ideas that spark curiosity and real-world learning.
Make Lessons Engaging & Student-Centered - Empower students with projects, challenges, and personalized learning options. This bundle makes instruction engaging, hands-on, and adaptable for all learners.
Why Teachers Love It:
Encourages student ownership while simplifying planning.