Advising

Even before arriving at Commonwealth, each student is paired with an advisor—a teacher or staff member who will be a guide, an advocate, a mentor, and a fan.

Teachers Ready to Help

The relationships between outstanding teachers and bright, motivated students are the core of a Commonwealth education. Ask students what sets this school apart, and they usually begin their answers with “great teachers.” Our small classes and 5:1 student-faculty ratio permit frequent individual conferences between students and teachers—for questions about material or assignments, to explore further a point raised in class, or to discuss other matters pertaining to school or to the world outside.

Advice and Mentoring

Beyond the classroom, teachers also serve as advisors to an average of six students. In this capacity, they regularly meet one-on-one with advisees to discuss academic matters, to develop strategies to manage time and work, or to share ideas, interests, or concerns. Students often stay with the same advisor for all four years, having found a trusted guide. Advisors know their advisees well and act both as advocates for their charges and as point person for communication between families and the school.

One thing that's really special is how personal the school is, especially in the advisor system. You have advisors for college. You have advisors just on day-to-day stuff. You have advisors on essay writing. It's really emblematic of how much attention every student is paid, and how important we all are to the faculty. It just makes everything feel really special and about you.

Attending to Every Student

Commonwealth carefully assesses the progress of its students. Four times a year, for one or two full days, the faculty assembles for “grading meetings” where advisors gather teachers’ comments and run short discussions, asking relevant questions pertaining to each student’s curricular and/or extracurricular performance. In the report sent home, a cover letter from the advisor accompanies the grades and comments.

Additional Support

In recognition of the high standards at Commonwealth, the volume of work, and the sophistication of its curriculum, the school offers a variety of learning supports and a limited menu of accommodations that vary according to the needs of each student. These include:

  • Homework Project, a weekly evening study hall for students who need a quiet place to work.
  • Tutoring referrals for the academic disciplines and for organization and planning. Tutors who work with our students are familiar with the Commonwealth curriculum and maintain collaborative relationships with our faculty. Tutoring is available at additional cost, with subsidies for families with financial aid grants.

The school also maintains regular contact with specialists who provide testing and counseling.

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Questions?

Please do not hesitate to reach out. Our faculty and administrative team would be happy to help.

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