High School

High school is an important time of academic, personal, and future planning growth.

Students in high school are expected to manage increasingly rigorous coursework while balancing extracurricular activities, jobs, volunteer work, leadership opportunities, social commitments, and preparation for college admissions such as taking the SAT or ACT. For many students, high school is the first time they begin experiencing significant pressure related to grades, college admissions, scholarships, career planning, and long-term goals.

As a result, many capable students begin to struggle, not because they lack intelligence, but because they have not yet fully developed the study skills or executive function skills needed to keep up with increasing expectations and responsibilities. They need support.

Important high school skills include:

Managing assignments across multiple rigorous classes
Planning ahead for long-term projects and deadlines
Studying effectively for quizzes, tests, AP exams, and final exams
Taking responsibility for grades and academic performance
Learning how to prioritize competing responsibilities
Managing time effectively between school, activities, work, and social / family obligations
Developing organization systems that work independently
Building self-advocacy skills with teachers and school staff
Strengthening note-taking, study, and test preparation strategies
Learning how to persevere through challenging coursework
Balancing academic performance with personal well-being
Developing habits that prepare students for college and career success

I regularly work with students who experience:

Learning Challenges
ADHD and ADD
Anxiety
Executive Functioning Challenges
Gifted and High-Achieving
Gifted and Twice Exceptional such as students who are gifted as well having ADHD and/or a Learning Disability

High school is also the time when academic gaps often become more noticeable. Students who were able to "get by" in earlier years may begin struggling as coursework becomes more advanced, reading and writing demands increase, and teachers expect greater independence and accountability.

Students often come to me feeling overwhelmed by missing assignments, stressed about grades, anxious about college admissions, unsure how to study effectively, or discouraged because they are working hard but not seeing the results they want. Others may procrastinate, avoid difficult tasks, or feel stuck because they do not know where to begin.

Challenges can include several factors. Sometimes a student simply needs support with a specific academic subject. For example, a student may need help understanding Algebra, Chemistry, Biology, or essay writing. However, academic struggles often create additional challenges such as missing assignments, poor time management, avoidance, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed.

Addressing these challenges often involves more than content tutoring alone. Success frequently requires improving executive function skills, developing study strategies, creating organizational systems, communicating effectively with teachers, and building routines that allow students to stay on track academically.

At the same time, high school offers incredible opportunities for growth. Students who develop strong executive function skills, study habits, self-advocacy, and learning strategies during these years build a strong foundation for future success.

My Approach - Skill Building and Executive Functioning Skills

One of my greatest strengths is helping students take something that feels overwhelming and turn it into a clear plan of action as quickly as possible while keeping the student's long-term success in mind.

Whether we are working on a challenging course, planning weekly assignments, studying for exams, preparing for an AP or Dual-Enrollment class, completing a research paper, organizing college application materials, or catching up on missing work, I help students break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps and develop systems that are sustainable throughout high school and beyond. Once students begin experiencing success, and with ongoing support, they often feel relieved, proud, and motivated to continue.

While we work hard and maintain high expectations, I believe students learn best when they feel comfortable, supported, and understood. I incorporate coaching conversations, problem-solving, encouragement, accountability, and positive reinforcement to keep students engaged and motivated.

My goal is not simply to help students finish assignments or improve grades. Learning should also be enjoyable! Students will remember how they felt about themselves when they are older. Everything I do is designed with the student's future memory of themselves in mind. I want students to leave sessions feeling capable, successful, resilient, and proud of what they can accomplish.

Monitoring and Accountability Program

For students who maintain weekly sessions with me, I offer ongoing assignment tracking and accountability between sessions through text messages and phone calls as needed to maintain success. Both parents and students receive communication.

This support helps busy families stay informed while encouraging students to take increasing ownership of their responsibilities. Accountability between sessions helps students stay on top of assignments, prepare for tests, manage competing priorities, and maintain the consistent effort necessary for success in rigorous high school coursework.

Advanced Coursework and Academic Rigor

Many high school students take Honors, AP, AICE, Dual Enrollment, IB, or other advanced courses as they prepare for college and future opportunities.

These classes often require stronger study skills, greater independence, advanced writing abilities, increased reading demands, and effective time management. Students may have the academic ability to succeed in these courses but still struggle if organization, planning, or study habits are not keeping pace with increasing rigor.

Often, students need better systems. Learning how to study efficiently, manage deadlines, organize materials, and balance multiple responsibilities can make a tremendous difference in both performance and stress levels.

College and Career Readiness

High school is about more than earning grades. It is also a time for students to begin exploring their interests, strengths, future goals, and post-graduation plans.

As students progress through high school, we may also work on skills related to college readiness, scholarship opportunities, resumes, extracurricular involvement, volunteer experiences, career exploration, self-advocacy, and long-term planning.

The habits students develop in high school often become the habits they carry into adulthood. Learning how to manage responsibilities, advocate for themselves, solve problems, and stay organized during these years creates a strong foundation for success in college, careers, and life.