Personal well-being is an integral part of the AES Strategic Plan.  Personal Well-Being will be promoted and supported through the collaboration of students, parents, faculty, and staff, using educational opportunities, resource support, and positive modeling.  By May 2012, all students will make decisions that contribute positively to the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of themselves and others. 

Philosophy    The AES approach to wellness is based upon the philosophy that the goal of the program is to prepare young people to make responsible decisions about their health and welfare.  The emphasis of the approach is broad in the sense that not simply one aspect of wellness, for instance, substance use, is emphasized over another. 

Curriculum    The core program for wellness is found in the Health and Physical Education curriculum that extends from kindergarten through grade 12.  In high school students are required to take three semesters of physical education, including one full year in grade 9 and health for a semester in grade 10.  In addition, during Ninth Grade Seminar (semester 1) various topics under the umbrella of "wellness" are covered in the course of the class. 

External Consultants  On an annual basis, the school brings in consultants with either expertise in overall wellness or in a specific area such as tobacco, alcohol and drugs or restitution, to name two examples.  In January 2008 and 2009, for two week periods, Dr. Sue Porter was on campus working with parents, students, and faculty.  She worked closely with the physical education and health department to strengthen and integrate the wellness curriculum.  Dr. Porter also worked  with counselors on strategies for developing a comprehensive wellness program for the school, and she gave several presentations to parents and their children during evening sessions.  In addition, during the school year a local therapist gave a series of parent workshops on "Improving Communication with your Teenager."

In House Presentations and Events   High School counselors give a number of evening presentations throughout the year on topics ranging from Transitions to Stress.    Parent coffees are held on a monthly basis and the Parent School Association hosts grade level parent gatherings.

Counseling  Students with wellness concerns may see or be referred to the school psychologist and/or counselors.  Weekly Student Support Team (SST) meetings are held to discuss students at risk academically, emotionally, or behaviorally.  The school's role in working with families is limited and an important option is to refer families to services outside of AES.

 Surveys On a voluntary basis every other year high school students participate in a comprehensive survey to assess student behavior and attitudes in a wide variety of related wellness areas.  The results of the most recent survey from April 2008 will soon be available on our website.  In addition to the survey, the high school PE and Health department conducts a yearly survey about student's participation in physical activity, with the results helping to inform decisions about PE classes and extracurricular programs.  A Student Satisfaction Survey is given to the student body annually.

Orientation   To assist students new to the school transition smoothly into AES, the counseling department hosts a series of events.  A new student orientation is held on the day before school begins in the fall and for the second semester.  A luncheon is held several weeks after the start of school to assess student well-being and acclimation.  Students moving from grade 8 to grade 9 at AES partake in several activities aimed at making the move from middle to high school a smooth and stress-free event.  Special orientations are held for parents of new students and parents of grade 8 to 9 students during the course of the year, as well. 

Extra-curricular Activities  After school presents students with a myriad of sports choices by seasons, including basketball, volleyball, swimming, tennis, soccer, track and field, and badminton. Students have the choice of joining more than a dozen clubs that meet either during lunch or after school throughout the school year. After school opportunities also include participation in art, music, theater and community service. The fitness room is available for high school students to use after school.