Student Support and Wellness

Individual Advising

Social-Emotional Support

Our Dean of Students Dr. Josh Eagle and School Counselor Dr. Eben Lasker, both with backgrounds in adolescent development, alongside Student Life Intern Rana Sairafi, support students through connection and advocacy. They ally with students both proactively and as needed through formal and informal meetings, ultimately cultivating critical skills of self-discovery. Their goals include:

• Helping students manage academic pressure
• Teaching students about healthy friendships and relationships
• Supporting students’ skill development in self-advocacy with teachers and peers
• Emphasizing how to maintain wellness through balanced use of technology, physical activity, and other healthy habits

Academic Support

Our Student Life team, in concert with students’ individual advisors and led by our Coordinator of Academic Support Don Conolly, assesses the need for and facilitates academic support when relevant. In recognition of our high academic standards, the volume of work, and the sophistication of our curriculum, Commonwealth offers learning supports and accommodations tailored to each student. These include:

• Accessible faculty, who are always available to provide one-on-one guidance to students as they navigate their classes 
• On-site tutoring in the academic disciplines and in organization and planning, with costs subsidized for students with financial aid grants 
• The Homework Project, a twice-weekly evening study hall for students who need a quiet place to work, with costs subsidized for students with financial aid grants
• Referrals for testing to identify potential learning challenges and management of any resulting classroom accommodations

Facilitating Social Connections

Commonwealth students (and staff!) benefit from our collegial, generous community. Students, passionate about their academic and extracurricular interests, bond in class and club meetings. And given our small size and the nature of our courses, friendships blossom easily and between grades. The Student Life team supports these efforts by advising student groups, coordinating social events, and providing programming that helps students feel connected to our shared enterprise and each other. Some examples include:

• Hancock
• Dances hosted by COMMunity (our student club dedicated to planning social happenings)
• Morning Meditation
• Social gatherings, like trivia nights
• Cooking workshops
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion workshops

Family Support and Engagement

Our Student Life team works to ensure all families feel welcome and enfranchised, helping them understand the culture and expectations at Commonwealth. Our Dean of Students, school counselor, and faculty advisors connect with families regularly, fostering open and robust lines of communication. New Parent Orientation, a “buddy system” matching new and returning families, and translations when needed also create a foundation for collaboration and, ultimately, student success.