A student advisor is someone on school staff - a teacher, a librarian, or an administrator who provides a student or a group of students with guidance on their personal and academic goals. This is done using individual and group meetings. Students require the emotional and social support that advisory provides at this critical time of adolescence. At NYMA, all attempts are made to keep advisory groups small so that they function best; most instructors manage between 6-10 students.

Through an advising group, each student becomes part of a “built-in” peer group that provides security for new and returning students alike. In general, the advisee moves through the academic program having the same advisor. This allows the advisor, advisee, and advising group to develop a level of trust and understanding required to help the student to progress through potentially difficult and challenging situations. This comfortable group can help build a student’s self-esteem and offset negative influences.

Each NYMA advisor will have a diverse group of students, often across several grade levels. The focus and requisite tasks will vary.

The advisor will:

• serve as an advocate assisting students with academic and behavioral issues
• build community among the group members
• reinforce skills necessary for success
• alert group members to opportunities for community service/service learning, scholarships, internships, and other programs that offer valuable services to the student