Advising students is a cornerstone of independent school education. At MacDuffie, teachers and many administrators act as advisors to small groups of students. Advisors meet weekly with their advisees and serve as their academic and moral leaders, guiding them in their selection of courses and in learning about the School’s traditions and practices. They serve as trusted adults with whom students can share their questions and worries, their joys and triumphs. Advisors usually stay with the same advisee group for consecutive years, with new assignments being made as students transition from the Middle School to the Upper School. Thus, advisors get to know their advisees well and can help fellow teachers understand the needs of individual students.