Parent & Student Handbook, 2013-2014 - Tandem Friends School

30
basic level, a mentor is a person with whom a mentee can have a positive, long­term relationship ­ a person to whom
one might look for advice and counsel, or simply for companionship. While mentors may assist mentees with their
school work and study skills, peer pressure, and typical life issues, they are trained to understand that the mentoring
relationship is not a parenting one, and that there are appropriate limits and boundaries to their role in a young
person’s life. Through meaningful relationships with older students, seventh graders can learn valuable lessons about
being a part of the Tandem Friends community – lessons they can take with them through their own high school
years.
Prospective mentors must complete a competitive application process, participate in training and demonstrate that
they are in good academic standing with the school. If selected, they are matched with a seventh grader and make the
commitment to meet at least once a week throughout the school year (Wednesday lunches have been set aside for this
purpose). All matches are made by a group of advisors comprised of both Upper and Middle School faculty who take
into consideration their knowledge of the students as well as information shared on interest surveys. This Faculty
Advisory Group reviews all applications, manages the training and works with mentoring pairs throughout the year to
help coach them through any challenges they face in their relationships with one another.
College Counseling
In keeping with the Tandem Friends philosophy of honoring the individual and his or her unique interests and
talents, the Director of College Counseling works intensively with students and their families to ensure that each
individual’s needs are met beyond Tandem Friends School. We believe that choosing a college is an opportunity for
students to further develop interests, define talents, and to consider their own individual ideas, dreams and values.
The college counselor is available for consultation, as needed, beginning in the 9th grade. All Tandem students and
families are invited to sign up for the College Counseling Blog* and follow the College Counselor on Twitter
(Catherine Gillespie@CvilleCollege). The College Counselor works with faculty advisors in the Upper School to
provide grade appropriate programs during advisory sessions throughout the year.
During the fall of their sophomore year, students begin to work more closely with the College Counselor as they
prepare for the PSAT. A four­week preparation session is available on a fee basis prior to the test in October (all
sophomores are required to take the PSAT at this time). Sophomores are also introduced to the college search process
at the end of their sophomore year when the College Counselor teaches three sessions during their English classes in
May.
Juniors also have the opportunity to take the four­week preparation class prior to the PSAT in October. In addition,
juniors are advised to take the SAT (and the Subject Tests, if necessary for their colleges) or the ACT with Writing in
May and/or June. The College Counselor meets with all juniors and their parents as a group in the fall to discuss
general expectations. Individual meetings are held with juniors and their parents to discuss student needs and plans.
These meetings review the entire admissions process and include a preliminary list of college suggestions, help with
senior year course selection, advice about building a standardized test plan and ample opportunity to ask questions
about the process as a whole. Many juniors will begin their college visits in the late spring and summer months.
All seniors who have not already done so take either the SAT or the ACT in the fall, as faculty members work on
student recommendations. The College Counselor meets on a regular basis with seniors to individually review their
final college selections, assist with applications, provide general counseling and conduct mock interviews for those
wishing to hone their interviewing skills. Seniors begin work on their college essays in English class and continue to
visit colleges in the fall. Most regular decision applications are due between December and February, although
students who plan to apply through early application programs should generally plan to have their applications
completed by November 1. When college decision letters are received, the College Counselor assists students and
their parents in making final decisions.
"Kindness and Wisdom, with Kindness Always First"