Helping Middle and High School Students Get Organized and Stay on Track

Some students understand the material but still struggle in school. They forget assignments, underestimate how long homework will take, put off larger projects, or become overwhelmed when several classes demand their attention at once. As an academic coach in Marin County, I provide one-on-one academic coaching and homework help for middle school and high school students.

I work directly with students on the schoolwork they have in front of them while also helping them develop better systems for managing it.

What We Do During a Session

Every student is different, and sessions are based on what needs attention that day.

We may:

• Review the student’s planner or online assignments
• Identify upcoming homework, tests, and projects
• Decide what needs to be done first
• Break larger assignments into manageable steps
• Work through difficult homework
• Read textbook chapters and other assigned material together
• Identify important information and take useful notes
• Prepare for quizzes and tests
• Review completed work before it is submitted
• Organize papers, binders, folders, and digital assignments
• Develop a realistic plan for the rest of the week

The goal is not simply to finish tonight’s homework. Students gradually learn how to manage their own workload more effectively.

Academic Coaching Plus Subject Tutoring

One of the advantages of working with the Marin Homework Coach is that academic coaching and subject tutoring can happen during the same session.

If a student is struggling with an Algebra assignment, we can work through it together and make sure the student understands the material.

If an AP World History reading is difficult, we can slow down, read it together, discuss important passages, take notes, and make sure the student understands what they have read.

If an English paper is due, we can plan the assignment and then work on the reading, organization, writing, and revision.

This allows us to address both the student’s immediate schoolwork and the habits that affect performance across all of their classes.

Organization, Planning, and Executive Function

Middle school and high school require students to manage multiple teachers, different expectations, long-term projects, tests, extracurricular activities, and increasingly independent schedules.

I help students develop practical skills including:

• Organization
• Planning
• Time management
• Prioritizing assignments
• Breaking down long-term projects
• Study strategies
• Test preparation
• Note-taking
• Accountability and follow-through

These skills are practiced using the student’s actual schoolwork rather than as separate exercises.

Middle School Academic Coaching

The transition to middle school can be particularly challenging. Instead of one primary classroom teacher, students suddenly have multiple teachers, different classrooms, more assignments, and greater responsibility for keeping track of their work.

Academic coaching can help students establish good habits before small organizational problems become larger academic problems.

High School Academic Coaching

High school students face heavier workloads and greater expectations for independent work.

I help students balance assignments from multiple classes, prepare for tests, manage long-term projects, and determine how to use their available study time effectively.

For students who have fallen behind, we can also develop a realistic plan for catching up while keeping up with current assignments.

Building Independence

The goal of academic coaching is to help students become increasingly independent by developing systems they can use on their own.

Over time, instead of asking, “What am I supposed to do tonight?” the student should become better able to determine:

• What needs to be done
• What is most important
• How long it is likely to take
• When to start
• When to ask for help

That growing independence is one of the most important goals of academic coaching.

Academic Coach in Marin County

I have more than 20 years of experience tutoring and working with students in Marin County.

I work with students from public and private middle schools and high schools throughout Marin, including San Rafael, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Ross, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Belvedere, Novato, and surrounding communities.

In-person and online sessions are available.

Get Started

If your middle school or high school student needs help getting organized, keeping up with assignments, or developing better study habits, contact the Marin Homework Coach to discuss what kind of support would be most useful.

Call or text: 415-577-5786
Email: chris@marinhomeworkcoach.com