Fairhope Middle School’s

Homeroom Advocacy Program 

In an effort to provide an environment where students feel cared for, respected, and welcomed, as well as are actively engaged in learning, Fairhope Middle School has developed a Homeroom Advocacy Program. Homeroom teachers are assigned their homeroom students and act as the Advocate for these students. An extended Homeroom period is provided daily for implementation of the program.

The Homeroom Advocate is critical in promoting a positive school climate that helps meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of our students. The Homeroom Advocate, through group discussions and individual conferences, gets to know students on a more personal level. They are also an easy contact person when a parent has a question or concern. Goal-setting conferences are one activity that helps Homeroom teachers develop personal relationships with their Homeroom students. Helping students identify their strengths and weaknesses as well as assisting them in creating a plan to address academic performance issues is an integral part of the program.

Homeroom Advocates focus on helping students set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Real, Timed) personal, health, and academic goals and meet with the students to discuss progress, providing support and encouragement. They may keep a folder for each of their advisory students that contains the student’s goals, academic progress reports, concerns, and other pertinent information.  

Fairhope Middle School’s Homeroom Advocacy Program not only includes advocacy/advisement during the homeroom period, but also provides a sense of community for the students. School pride and community building activities are planned by the students to help foster a sense of belonging and involvement. Fun competitions between homerooms involving fund-raising events, Field Day competitions, or having special speakers address community concerns all provide an opportunity for students to develop a sense of community.   

The Homeroom Advocacy Program also includes time for RTI (Response to Instruction/Intervention) peer tutoring, schoolwork make-up, and essential study skills. Homeroom Advocates are responsible for teaching their students a Study Skills and Strategies course in the 7th grade. Guidance/Life skills information may be delivered in homeroom during prevention weeks that address depression, drug prevention, bullying/teen violence.