The Guidance Department provides personal, social, and academic support to students either during individual and/or group counseling sessions. Counselors collaborate with parents and faculty members to insure the success and safety of BHSEC students. The primary focus of counseling is to equip students with coping strategies designed to help them manage personal stressors. Students learn to identify obstacles that interfere with their ability to achieve their goals. The counseling staff also offers conflict mediation services, organizational support, and, when necessary, members of the Guidance Department make referrals to and collaborate with community based organizations and external mental health professionals.
School Councelor Leiloni Leiva-Rich is excited to meet incoming students.
Key support services are listed below:
The Learning Center exists to help students successfully achieve their educational goals in the Early College program. We support students who seek individualized help on class essays and college essays.
We have 2 Learning Center Fellows: Wynnter Millsaps (BHSEC Cleveland, and Bard College alumn) and Nathalie Vieux-Gresham (Nathalie is part time and a BHSEC Queens alumn) are there to support students during their study hall periods in the school day and afterschool.
All faculty members at BHSEC offer office hours—dedicated time in which they work individually with students. Students are encouraged to meet with their faculty members. Faculty members also offer organized group study for students who appear to be struggling in their classes.
Prior to entering BHSEC, all incoming 9th graders are invited to attend a week-long introduction to Bard High School Early College. The program is held during the summer and its primary goal is to transition students into a new setting and ease any anxiety they may have about making new friends and engaging in early college work. Students take sample classes, learn study skills, become familiar with the neighborhood, and collaborate in group activities that promote team building. Summer Bridge is also offered as a program for students making the transition from High School to Year 1 of the college program.
All BHSEC students meet with a faculty advisor each week. There is also time built into the weekly schedule for individual meetings between students and advisors. Students are assigned to advisories by grade level. The goal of advisory is to provide a safe space where students can build trusting relationships with each other and with a BHSEC faculty member. The advisor facilitates group discussions and activities that provide character building and academic support for students.
