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.
Key support services are listed below:
Located in the Library, the Writing 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. Students may make appointments for one-on-one tutoring with an adult or peer tutor, arrange group work sessions or simply drop by for homework assistance during lunch, free periods or before or after school. A faculty coordinator trains peer tutors and adult volunteers to staff the center. To make an appointment, stop by the Library during scheduled hours and consult the posted weekly schedule.
For more information, contact Katherine Randall, Writing Center Coordinator, [email protected].
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.
Peer Tutors are BHSEC students who assist students in subjects across all academic disciplines. Students meet with a peer tutor weekly in the library for one-on-one assistance with homework assignments and test preparation and for help with developing good study habits. The goal of the Peer Tutoring Program is to connect students to a classmate who understands the challenges of early college, and who is able to help students reach specific academic objectives.
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 Wednesday for one period. 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.
