Support Structures for Social Development
BFA approaches the development of our students from different perspectives. We believe that it is important to provide students with resources to support positive social growth as well as academic achievement.
- Advisory groups provide students with a place to voice challenges, issues, concerns and successes as well as participate in activities that support high level literacy. Over four years, a faculty advisor meets weekly with the same group of 15-20 students. This long-term relationship allows the advisor to get to know his/her students well and become a consistent, caring adult in their school life. Advisors will act as a coach, cheerleader, sounding board, guide, and when necessary, a moral compass.
- Our Student Support Counselors play an important role in our school community. The Counselors pull together resources for students challenged academically, and particularly, socially. In addition they support families by connecting with resources critical to supporting a stable environment for their students. They also support the advisory program and provide faculty with additional resources for their students.
- Through a grant from the Aaron and Lillie Strauss Foundation, BFA has been working with the St. Francis Academy of Baltimore to establish a full counseling center within BFA. This center will offer individual and group therapy to students, families and staff to support general well-being and a healthy school community.