Blog
Boosting Creativity and Executive Function on Vacation
As the world slowly returns to normal, many families are eager to travel after eighteen months of COVID complications. Vacations and family trips are a
Summer Reading Tips for Kids Who Don’t Love to Read
Parents and students alike often dread the mere mention of summer reading. For students, the topic is but a painful reminder of the inevitable return
Your In-Depth Guide to Conquering the ISEE
Few standardized tests are as mysterious as the ISEE. Almost every parent has some knowledge of the SAT or the ACT, but the ISEE is
The Changing Landscape of College Admissions
Although the classroom COVID-19 policies are lessening, the long-term effects are just now coming to the surface. Along with rampant learning loss, the world of
Improving Executive Function Through Athletics
First, a belabored but critical point, executive functioning (EF) skills are the primary determinant of success in school and life. Countless psychological studies confirm this
Evening Routines: An Often Overlooked Tool of Effective Students
It is crucial to remember that success at school has a lot to do with what happens outside of the August to May, Monday to
The Secret to Improving Your Student’s Confidence and Network
The gleaming lights of the Apple store cascade above all other stores. The promise of cutting-edge tech and a near cult-following give Apple an advantage,
Teaching Kids to Love Reading
Remember when your child begged for a bedtime story every night? Remember when birthday gifts consisted of classic stories like The Giving Tree and Where
How Posture Affects Learning
“Sit still” is by far one of my least favorite teacher instructions. It’s almost as anemic as “just focus,” as we discussed in a recent
Help Your Child Become a Single Tasker
Single-taskers will soon rule the world. Multitaskers simply cannot compete with the power of intense concentration. Although multitasking gives the illusion of productivity, it is
Spaced Repetition
Learning how to learn is the hallmark of our unique academic coaching program. While we are perfectly capable of traditional subject tutoring or test prep,
How to Work on Writing over the Summer
Parents always ask us what their students should be working on over the summer. Particularly with the dangers of COVID-19 learning loss, summer remediation and
Inside the Mind of A Student with ADHD
A modern-day classrooms use a one-size-fits-all approach. Unfortunately, this leaves students with learning differences on the fringes, unable to receive the support they need to
An Ode to Interleaved Practice
There is some truth in the consistent application of fundamentals. Sometimes, cutting-edge techniques aren’t necessary because the traditional methods work so well. If it isn’t
Should the Flex Day Remain after COVID-19?
The nature of school has drastically changed in the wake of COVID-19. Teacher communication shifted from emails and office hours to zoom conferences and instant
Should Schools Continue to Blend Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning?
COVID-19 has completely transformed the education landscape. For better or for worse, new modalities of teaching and new technologies have raised serious questions about the
How to Crush Finals Week
Finals week is almost here! This nerve-racking time wrought with anxiety can be tamed using the right mixture of organization, time management, learning skills, and
Learning Technique: dynamic vs. static testing
I cringe every time a student says they study by “just looking over notes.” What does that even mean? I can “look over” ancient Egyptian
Learning Loss: where we stand in 2021
After a full year of COVID-19, many industries and customs have changed. Almost everyone understands the basics of zoom etiquette, students have become much more
The Science of Grit
Coined by Angela Duckworth in her excellent book Grit, the term has become synonymous with a growth mindset, persistence, and a strong work ethic. In
Making Organization Appealing
If you have heard me speak at a school event or have been following our blog for a while, you know we’re big on organization.
Developing a Learning Mindset
A learning mindset is a powerful weapon in a student’s arsenal. When the inevitable failures and setbacks arise, students can reframe them as positive learning
A Student’s Guide to Editing
Learning how to write well is learning how to think well. The act of organizing aimless thoughts into coherent, compelling arguments is perhaps the most
Just Focus
Students, especially those struggling with learning differences, hear the phrase “just focus” far too often. This is the academic equivalent to telling a suddenly broken-down
