Search Institute has identified 40 Developmental Assets™ that are building blocks of healthy development and success for children and adolescents. Young people's experience of most of these developmental assets declines over the middle school years. In this article, research is described showing the prevalence and impact of developmental assets among middle school students, and the power of the assets is connected to the developmental characteristics of young adolescents. The middle school counselor's role is described and suggestions given both for building assets in individual students and for helping to shape a positive school climate that promotes developmental well-being through the school community.
