High School Coaching

The key to college admissions is early preparation – course and activity planning.

Professional Tutoring’s High School Coaching Service offers two major programs to the Northern Virginia area: The Academic Planning and Resume Program (APRP), which focuses on early college preparation, and The High School Admissions Program (HSAP), which helps navigate the course through private or selective secondary school admissions. Both coaching programs begin with an Initial Consultation (IC) to establish direction and goals.

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Preparing for College – Why you should start Now

Unlike in years past, the road to college admissions begins in middle school. Most elite colleges “recommend” five years of math and foreign language. These courses must begin in middle school. Colleges often quantify (count) students’ Honors, AP and IB courses. Elite colleges prefer eight or more honors classes and at least eight AP or IB courses. Course planning should begin by seventh or eighth grade. Colleges also give significant weight to leadership, community service and athletic participation. It is so important to develop a flexible road map for middle and high school. As the old adage says, “you cannot get there if you do not know where you are going.”

How we can help

The Academic Planning and Resume Program (APRP) supports students from sixth grade through the first semester of eleventh grade in the Northern Virginia area in developing academic, extra-curricular, athletics, leadership and community service opportunities to maximize the high school years and lead to college admissions. Our APRP ensures that Professional Tutoring students enter and finish high school ahead of their peers. Those in our program are among the tiny minority of students who plan for college and professional goals early in high school. Professional Tutoring’s well-laid out process provides specific direction, steps and support, reducing stress for both students and families. Our students do not fall through the proverbial cracks; Professional Tutoring students are armed with self-knowledge, early college consideration and visits, and a strong Student Resume.

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Already completed our High School Coaching Program? Stay on track with our High School Check-up Program (HSCP). This program evaluates a student’s progress at critical junctures of high school to make sure they remain prepared.

Eleventh and twelfth graders are eligible for Professional Tutoring’s College Coaching Services.

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Julia Ross tutors a group of high school students at the Professional Tutoring Cottage.

Private High School Admissions Coaching

The High School Admissions Program (HSAP) guides students and families through the highly competitive private school admissions process. This coaching program includes diagnostic admissions test planning (SSAT or HSPT), detailed discussion of potential secondary school (subsequently presented in a spreadsheet), development of the highly successful Professional Tutoring Student Resume, admissions strategy, applications, essays, interviewing and touring.

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High School Coaching – Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Secondary School?

Secondary School is the educational program after elementary school. Some secondary schools include middle school (7th and 8th grades); other include the traditional high school grades (9th -10th). Professional Tutoring’s High School Coaching Service (HSCS) is designed for students from 7th grade through the first semester of 11th grade. 11th and 12th graders move from HSCS to our College Coaching Program.

What does the High School Coaching Service include?

The Professional Tutoring High School Coaching Service offers two major services: The Academic Planning and Resume Program (APRP) and the High School Admissions Program (HSAP). Both services begin with a 1.5-hour initial consultation to get to know the student and to establish an appropriate direction and goals.

How do the Academic Planning and Resume Program (APRP) and the High School Admissions Program (PSAP) differ?

The APRP is designed to guide students through planning their secondary school program from classes to extra-curricular, community service and athletics. The goal is to help the student build a strong Student Resume and prepare for a successful college admissions experience. The HSAP is designed to help students apply to private middle and high schools. It is very similar to the Professional Tutoring’s Go-Getter College Coaching Program.

Why do we need help in navigating high school?

High schools are not all created equally. There are diverse public schools as well as private schools. Within each of these schools, there are opportunities available to students that can enrich and enhance their secondary school experiences. These opportunities include all types of curricula (Standard Track, Honors, Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB)) and several diploma choices (Standard, Advanced, AP, IB Diplomas). Students may also choose to enroll in academic enrichment programs such as Boys’ State and Girls’ State, Governor’s School and summer college programs. Beyond academics, students have extensive choices and opportunities in extracurricular activities from sports to drama to FBLA to Model UN to Scouting, including the prestigious and highly valued Eagle and Gold Awards, to community service, to internship and employment opportunities. At Professional Tutoring, we help identify student interests and passions and discover the path within secondary school that will develop a strong foundation. Our key goal is cohesion: a combination of coursework and activities that allow students to develop their strengths and interests in preparation for their future college and career.

Who runs the High School Coaching Service?

Julia Ross guides the process with very qualified supporting staff members.

How exactly does the High School Coaching Service work?

In a nutshell, we begin with an initial consultation to meet with the student and their parent(s). From there, we work backward from interests and potential careers to college majors to an outline of potential courses for each year of secondary school. We also explore extra-curricular and community service activities as well as athletics. Our ultimate goal is for our students to enjoy secondary school and to prepare for college admissions. The High School Admissions Program focuses on guiding students and parents through the private school admissions process. We consider students’ strengths and weaknesses as well as finances to find the right school matches.

How frequently do we meet?

There is a concentration of time spent initially to develop the student’s plan, and then there are regular “checkups” along the way. Each student is unique and their development plan will reflect those unique needs. Be assured that we keep in frequent contact.

Are parents included in this process? We are not ready yet to completely hand over control!

At Professional Tutoring, we take the “village” approach. Parents are involved throughout the coaching program and are encouraged to partner with us. Parents are included in many meetings/workshops; parents receive frequent emails and copies of all student work including the High School or College Selection Spreadsheet, Student Resume, Admissions Essays, Letter of Recommendation Requests and emails.

Isn’t this too early to be thinking about college?

In today’s competitive market, it is important to develop successful academic habits at an early age. Starting early also allows students time to try different activities to see how their interests play out over time. Having time to experiment in different roles gives students information and knowledge about life that they can apply in later situations – academic and otherwise. Not only do students learn new subject areas, they are also engaging in self-discovery and social awareness. Self-awareness and the Emotional Intelligence/Quotient (EQ) that comes with it are linked to success in the workplace. These are important years for self-discovery; you are never too young (or too old!) to start.

My student is not gifted academically or otherwise. Can you help the average student?

YES! This coaching program is designed for all students and is customized to meet individual needs. Studies show a strong correlation between confidence and grades. A student who is not academically inclined often needs to discover their strengths to build confidence. Our business motto is “Competence builds Confidence.” We work closely to engage students and key in on their interests and passions to strategically craft a plan that will leverage their strengths and interests in the secondary school setting-ultimately increasing their confidence and academic successes.

My child has Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), is this program right for them?

Our hands-on and one-on-one approach are very beneficial to students with ADD.

My child is Learning Disabled (LD), is this program right for them?

Many students with learning disabilities, including students with Asperger’s Syndrome, have benefited from our program. We discuss each case with parents ahead of time to make sure that we will be the right match.

Can you guarantee my child will get into a private school or college?

All of the students that have successfully completed our coaching program(s) have been accepted to secondary school and college; many attend their “first choice” school. 100% of the Professional Tutoring College Coaching Class of 2020 was accepted to college, with an application acceptance rate of 79%, well above the national average. Our students averaged $134,998 each in total offered merit scholarships. We are very proud of our students and success rate!  Please visit our Testimonials and our Honor Roll to learn more.

Do you take out-of-state students?

Yes, we have several students who are not local; these include DOD/Military and State Department students as well as clients who find us through word-of-mouth or the internet. We are able to provide all of our services through Zoom and/or FaceTime.

Am I too late to sign up?

This program is designed for students between 6th and 11th grades. If your student is in the second semester of 11th grade, we recommend our College Coaching Program.

Do I have to commit to a specific program now?

No, you can schedule a 1.5-hour Initial Consultation instead. After that, clients may choose a particular package or choose to work at the a la carte rate. In our experience, every student who has started at the a la carte rate has transferred to one of our High School Coaching Services or College Coaching Packages. Our programs are designed to meet student needs for a reasonable fee.

How do I register?

Please contact us and fill out the registration forms.