According to a survey by Anthology, 48% of student respondents doubted their ability to succeed in college when enrolling. That's a bit concerning, especially since chances are, a lot of their concerns began or also occurred in high school.

***Note: Please reach out before scheduling a session in order to 1.) let me know your goals for this course and a bit about your teen and 2.) to confirm the best meeting time. As I also have meetings with teens for my college consulting business, it's possible the availability shown on Outschool may not reflect my true availability due to Outschool's scheduling limitations.

WHY ENROLL IN THIS COURSE?

Teen's grades (and in conjunction, how they think and feel about their academics) are important. And whether or not a teen decides to attend college, doing well in high school can set the stage for future success.

Motivation, curiosity, and feeling heard are the 3 things that, in my experience, can make a world of difference in keeping students engaged.

According to a recent NACAC  (National Association of College Admission Counseling) survey, the top three things given the most consideration by college admissions offices are the student's high school GPA in college prep courses, their overall high school gpa in all subjects, and the strength and rigor of their high school curriculum. 

One of the best ways to prepare for college is to thrive academically and personally in high school, gaining confidence in one's academic abilities, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and independent life skills. Meeting with an academic mentor and building a relationship with a trusted, non-parent adult, is a great way to offer your teen academic support and encouragement without receiving the eye roll anytime you bring up concerns! (Yes, I was that kid as a teen!)
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:

High school can be hard. Transitioning from middle school to high school can be challenging. Making sure you make the right decisions in high school to set you up for college can be overwhelming. And life as a teen, especially in today's world, is more hectic than ever. There are so many deadlines, assignments, exams, college/future concerns, and life in general going on. 

Meeting regularly with a trusted mentor in high school offers students many benefits. Students have an accountability partner, an adult to bounce ideas of off, someone to express thoughts and concerns with, and to count on. Students have a safe place to explore questions and concerns about doing well in classes, planning for college or other higher education after high school, and learning about skills needed to successfully transition to adulthood. Self-reflecting on accomplishments, challenges, and being encouraged to think deeper helps students better understand themselves and become better students. Mentoring can help develop dependability, responsibility, independence, and confidence as well.

In addition, students who are learning English are welcome to use this as a time to practice their English speaking abilities with a qualified ESL professional.
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MEETING STRUCTURE:
The first session acts as an introduction - to the course, to the teacher (mentor), and the concept of meeting with a mentor. With mentoring, finding a good fit between student and mentor is essential, so a solid introductory meeting is a must. If a student or parent decides that I am not a good fit for their learner after the first meeting, they are welcome to unsubscribe - no questions asked. The learner's comfort is the number 1 priority.

Each future session will fully depend on the individual student's needs. This could include discussions on:
- Academic progress
- Study tips
- Organization
- Time management
- Social experiences
- College or future discussions
- Navigating the high school environment
- Responsibility
- Structured activities/assignments to promote discussion if needed

Sessions should be thought of as a 'weekly/monthly check-in' -- a time to take a few minutes, stop and see where the student is at and receive guidance.

Two class formats available - while each option may be customized to student's needs, below are how each option typically works out:

1.) Meet once/week for 30 minutes - $64/session
This option usually is more focused on academics, i.e. a 'check-in' to see how they are doing in school, assignments they are struggling in, etc. While this is not a tutoring course, the goal is more to provide encouragement, guidance, accountability, and tips on improving their academic performance.

2.) Meet every other week for 40 minutes - $85/session (message me to set up this format)
This option provides a broader mentoring focus, meaning we typically do an overview of academic progress, but usually focus on broader themes, such as career exploration, time management, getting involved in activities, staying on track for college, college prep conversations, etc. Ideal for those who are looking for a higher-level, consistent, stay-focused path. By meeting once a month, the student is free to focus mostly on school work. (After all, grades are still the most important factor in college admissions!) This is ideal for those who are good students on their own but want to prepare for college admissions and college in 9th/10th grades.

Each student has different needs. Parents should message me prior to enrolling in order to see if this is the right-fit class for your student. Other course configurations may be discussed as needed.
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Cameras: Cameras are expected to be on throughout the course. This helps us have a better conversation and better understand each other. It is just the teacher and student in the classroom as well. Students who require accommodation for this are welcome to message the teacher to discuss!

Note:
- This is not a tutoring class. While I'm happy to provide guidance if a student needs occasional guidance in English/Language Arts (per my qualifications), this is not the intent of this course. 
- This is not a counseling or mental health class. Should any thing be mentioned by the student that causes concern or potentially causes concern, the parent will be notified. This is an accountability and mentoring session (course), where the student meets with an academic/college-focused mentor to provide general guidance with the focused goal of helping them succeed academically in high school.

Due to the goal of building trust between the student and teacher/mentor, recordings will not be shared for this class. (See additional info in Parental Guidance section below.)