Counseling & Academic Support

The Counseling and Academic Support Team (CAST) at OES uses a strengths-based, student-centered approach in order to create an inclusive, positive, and safe learning environment for all students. We believe these elements are necessary for the development of self-awareness, self-advocacy, academic risk taking, and resiliency. We recognize the unique qualities each student brings to the OES community and empower students to learn and grow by utilizing their individual strengths to understand, embrace, and work with their social-emotional and academic challenges. Foundational to the work of CAST is a respect and appreciation for different ways of learning and being. CAST recognizes that the process of learning is both personal and unique to each student. As such, we place great emphasis on relationship building, careful planning, collaboration, student empowerment, and accountability.

Advisory

At OES, each Middle School student belongs to a coed, grade-specific group of eight to nine students. This Advisory group meets daily and is led by a Middle School faculty member whose role is to be a strong and compassionate mentor, guide, and advocate. Advisory aims to instill a sense of belonging, as it gives students an opportunity to make connections with a small group of their peers outside of the classroom. Here, students learn how to socialize and make connections in an open and natural way. Advisors offer their students guidance as they manage the bumps and twists of Middle School life, and they also play a vital liaison role with parents.