CREW

Crew is a key component of the OWL school community. Every student is a member of a Crew – a type of advisory group that meets daily in groups of 20 students. During Crew time, we work to build an inclusive and cohesive group and set a positive and fun tone for student achievement through community-building activities. Because OWL Crews are made up of students in grades 6-12, their strong bonds create community across the entire school. 

We also offer individual guidance, explicitly teach study skills, organization, and time management. Crew helps students learn to be agents of self-change, to take responsibility for their learning, and to develop supportive mentoring relationships with adults and peers.

Conferences at OWL are held with Crew leaders three times each school year. In August, students, families and Crew leaders come together to set academic, social and personal goals for the year. In the winter and spring, students lead portfolio-based conferences for their families and Crew leader where they highlight high-quality work and revisit their progress towards their goals. 

 

RELATIONSHIPS:

Crew provides each student a one-to-one relationship with an adult advisor.

• Crew provides a consistent small-group peer community—a family within the school.
• Crew leaders monitor and support student progress and serve as the student’s advocate in difficult academic and social situations.
• Crew leaders act as the primary contact between parents and the school.
• Crew meetings are frequently used for team-building exercises, character building and civic engagement.

SERVICE:

• Crews identify needs in the school and in outside communities and propose and develop projects to address those needs.
• Crew leaders keep track of service hours and guide students in their service-learning projects.

PORTFOLIOS:

• Students use Crew to assemble, organize, and reflect on academic work portfolios for the year.
• Students present their work and reflect on their progress towards goals in fall and spring student-led conferences with Crew leaders and parents.

COLLEGE PREPARATION:

• Crew leaders advise students on their academic progress to ensure that students are taking challenging course loads and have strong records for college admission.
• Crew leaders assist in exploration of a variety of post-secondary options and ensure all students have a personalized post-secondary plan.
• Crew leaders support and coach students in their exploration of options for higher education, PSAT and SAT/ACT preparation, college visits, application processes, financial aid, scholarships and college selection.