EXECUTIVE FUNCTION COACHING

Many of the students we coach struggle with executive function challenges. For these students, many aspects of planning, prioritizing, goal-setting, turning in assignments on time, organizing, test preparation, and follow through are difficult.

Other students may achieve better-than-average grades, but doing so requires lengthy, inefficient hours at home slogging through assignments with great frustration. Some wrestle with excessive use of the internet and social media, full after school schedules (including sports and jobs), and demanding course loads.

Other students we coach may have atypical learning profiles, such as those with ADHD or other learning challenges that make academic success difficult to achieve without outside assistance.

SOS4Students has helped make many underachieving, even failing, students of all ages confident and productive. Our goal is to teach students how to get on top of work before it gets on top of them!

Our work always begins with a one-hour consultation with parents/caregivers, which includes a  review of any assessments of the student that have been done. During this consult, we review the history of the student’s academic issues, learn about routines at home, and set goals and objectives for our work with the student. This initial consult is followed by either four (summer) or six (school year) one-on-one student coaching sessions which last for 50-minutes at a time, once or twice a week.

Keeping the long-term goals in mind, each session addresses what will make the most impact at the moment, such as attacking a large history project, sorting through a disheveled backpack, preparing for a biology test, or exploring obstacles beyond the student’s control.

The student, in partnership with the coach, begins making choices related to his or her own success. Study strategies are introduced in the context of real and immediate issues to help build skills the student can apply in context. Reviewing, practicing, and developing these skills over time reinforces positive habits, creating long-term mastery and instilling confidence.

Longstanding habits of work and organization are not changed overnight and new approaches and skills require consistent practice and feedback before they are mastered. SOS4Students recognizes that all students are unique, as are their strengths and challenges, which means the approach taken and duration of coaching services needs to reflect this for each student.

In general, we believe that at least four (for summer) or six (for school year) coaching sessions are necessary for the coach and the student to make a connection, and for the coach to develop a deeper understanding of the student’s needs. We suggest four sessions for summer to better align with summer school schedules.

At the completion of the four or six coaching sessions, parents/caregivers and the coach meet for a follow-up to determine next steps, review progress, and chart future coaching needs, if needed. Most often, students continue with their coaching beyond the initial sessions as they are just starting to build skills and momentum.

Parents/caregivers and students receive an email summary after each session with key areas of focus and tasks to follow up on or routines to implement at home or school. The coach is always happy to answer questions by email or a short call during the week after the session.

SOS4Students coaches also act as advocates for students. With your written permission, it is often beneficial for the coach to work with teachers, counselors, administrators, and other professionals involved with your student. Coaches can also attend 504 and IEP meetings. Their input based on one-on-one work with the student is invaluable.

The initial coaching package includes a parent consult, four (summer) or six (school year) coaching sessions, and a parent follow-up meeting. Package fees are bundled and are payable prior to starting sessions with SOS4Students. Our sessions are typically 50-minutes each with an initial commitment to either the four (summer) or six (school year) coaching sessions and two parent meetings, unless otherwise specified. The cost of each 50-minute session starts at $185.

All fee information is included in the intake package and contract that is sent by email prior to the first session. After the initial sessions are completed, continuing students will revert to a monthly payment schedule.

Our Summer Coaching Program is scheduled and paid for separately from our School Year Coaching Program. Being enrolled in summer coaching in no way guarantees a student a spot in the schedule during the school year (or vice versa).

To ensure placement in either the Summer Coaching Program or the School Year Coaching Program, students must be on our coaching waiting list to secure a slot.

To first step to arrange SOS4Students one-on-one academic coaching for your student is to complete our Family and Student Intake Form. You will then be able to schedule a short phone call with one of our senior academic coaches to assure proper placement of your student and to have any further questions about our services answered.

For school-year and summer coaching and other appointments, SOS4Students requires 24-hours’ notice to reschedule. Except in emergencies (health, etc.), appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be billed at the regular rate. Missed appointments will also be billed at the regular rate. Please review or full policy on our Cancellation and Refund Policy page.