Program Overview

Introduction to Forest Ridge School

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is a private, independent, and Catholic college preparatory school for middle school and upper school girls. With 110 years of experience, the school has a proven track record of graduating young women who make a positive impact in the world.

Advisory Program

The Forest Ridge Advisory Program is designed to provide a support network for students as they navigate the challenges of adolescence. Using a strength-based approach grounded in positive psychology, advisors offer individualized coaching and support to help girls develop self-advocacy skills.

What is an Advisor?

Advisors are mentors, coaches, and sounding boards who provide a point of connection for each student and their parents. They help girls build a solid foundation and learn essential skills such as:

• Asking for help
• Taking ownership of their engagement and actions
• Building a strength-based approach to problem-solving
• Developing healthy relationship skills
• Managing responsibilities and activities

Middle School Advisory Program

The Middle School Advisory Program meets twice a week, providing an opportunity for community connection and grade-level activities. Advisory is also a place where students learn life skills such as time management, goal setting, and prioritizing.

Upper School Advisory Program

In the Upper School Advisory Program, advisors support students with individualized coaching and academic advisement as they grow in their self-advocacy skills. The program focuses on skill-building, including:

• Understanding and managing emotions
• Advocating for oneself and others
• Self-awareness
• Problem-solving and perspective-taking
• Genuine inclusivity and valuing strengths and contributions
• Balancing independence and the need for support
• Navigating friendships and social media

Advisory Program Skill-Building

The Advisory Program includes skill-building in areas such as:

• Adolescent development
• Communication skills
• Collaboration
• Digital citizenship
• Growth mindset
• Managing and understanding emotions
• Personal health and well-being
• Personal leadership
• Reflection skills
• Relationship skills
• Sacred Heart goals and criteria

Specific Skill-Building Areas

These areas include:

Adolescent Development

Understanding how the brain works, changes, and makes decisions.

Communication Skills

Developing listening skills, having hard conversations, and advocating for oneself.

Collaboration

Working on a team, building consensus, and developing effective group strategies.

Digital Citizenship

Practicing healthy habits around technology use, internet safety, and social media.

Growth Mindset

Embracing challenge, knowing personal strengths and stretches, and developing new strategies.

Managing and Understanding Emotions

Dealing with stress, understanding emotions, and developing self-calming techniques.

Personal Health and Well-Being

Learning about the care and feeding of the human body, including sleep, nutrition, and body image.

Personal Leadership

Using feedback, setting goals, and developing positive self-talk.

Reflection Skills

Assessing personal growth and naming what is and isn't working.

Relationship Skills

Building healthy friendships, setting boundaries, and resolving conflicts.

Sacred Heart Goals & Criteria

Focusing on community building, Sacred Heart traditions, and grade-level service projects.