Academic Coaching
High School
What is Academic Coaching?
Academic coaching helps students develop the habits, systems, and strategies needed to succeed in high school and beyond. Unlike tutoring, which focuses on a specific subject, academic coaching focuses on how students approach school. We work with students to improve organization, time management, study skills, motivation, accountability, and self-advocacy.
Beyond Tutoring
Many of the students we work with are bright, capable learners who know the material but struggle to consistently complete assignments, prepare for tests, or manage competing demands. Academic coaching focuses on the skills behind academic success: planning, prioritizing, organization, follow-through, and effective study habits. By strengthening these skills, students become more independent and confident learners.
Preparing for Success Beyond High School
Our goal is not simply to help students get through their current classes. We help students develop the executive functioning, study, and self-management skills that will serve them throughout college and their careers. By graduation, students should be better equipped to manage their time, advocate for themselves, and succeed with increasing independence.
Helping High School Students Build Independence
The Essence of Academic Coaching at Tierney Education
High school is about much more than earning good grades. Students are expected to manage increasingly demanding coursework, balance extracurricular activities, prepare for college, and take greater ownership of their time. At Tierney Education, we help students build the executive functioning skills needed to meet those challenges. Through personalized coaching, students learn how to stay organized, manage their workload, plan ahead, study effectively, and develop the confidence to work independently.
Ready to Help Your Student Become More Independent and Confident?
Schedule a consultation to learn how academic coaching can help your student build the skills needed for success in high school, college, and beyond.
What to Expect During an Academic Coaching Session at Tierney Education
One of the most common questions we encounter is, “What exactly does an academic coach do?” At Tierney Education, our team of academic coaches works collaboratively to help students, and their parents, navigate and take control of the educational journey with confidence.
Common Coaching Goals Include:
Keeping Track of Assignments and Deadlines
Many students know what they need to do, they just struggle to keep track of it all. We help students develop systems for monitoring assignments, upcoming tests, projects, and responsibilities across multiple classes so that fewer things fall through the cracks.
Creating Weekly Plans and Routines
Success in high school rarely happens by accident. We work with students to build realistic weekly schedules that balance schoolwork, activities, work, family commitments, and downtime. Through our Course Organizer and planning process, students learn how to break large tasks into manageable steps and plan ahead instead of constantly reacting to deadlines.
Improving Study Habits and Test Preparation
Many students spend hours studying without using strategies that actually improve learning. We help students develop effective note-taking systems, active study techniques, test preparation plans, and review strategies that lead to greater understanding and stronger performance.
Reducing Procrastination and Increasing Follow-Through
Procrastination isn't usually about laziness. More often, students feel overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or struggle to maintain momentum. We help students identify barriers to getting started, develop practical strategies for overcoming them, and build the habits needed to consistently follow through on their responsibilities.
Balancing Academics, Sports, Jobs, and Extracurricular Activities
Today's high school students often juggle demanding schedules. Whether a student is involved in athletics, music, theater, clubs, part-time employment, or volunteer work, we help them manage competing priorities while maintaining strong academic performance and avoiding burnout.
Building Self-Advocacy Skills
One of the most important skills students can develop is learning to speak up for themselves. We coach students on communicating with teachers, asking for help when needed, attending office hours, resolving problems proactively, and taking ownership of their educational experience.
Preparing for College and Life After High School
Our goal is not simply to help students earn better grades today. We help students develop the executive functioning skills they will need to succeed after graduation, including time management, organization, independent learning, decision-making, and personal responsibility. Whether a student's next step is college, trade school, military service, or entering the workforce, we want them to feel confident managing their own success.
Building Confidence and Independence
Perhaps most importantly, we help students develop confidence in their ability to navigate challenges on their own. As students gain stronger systems, better habits, and increased self-awareness, they become less reliant on reminders from parents and more capable of taking ownership of their responsibilities.
Who Benefits from Academic Coaching?
Academic Coaching may be a good fit if your student:
Frequently forgets assignments or deadlines
Has difficulty staying organized
Struggles with procrastination
Has strong potential but inconsistent grades
Needs help balancing academics and extracurricular activities
Wants to improve study habits and test preparation
Is preparing for college and needs stronger independent learning skills
Has ADHD or executive functioning challenges
Wants greater confidence and accountability
Meet Our Expanded Team of Coaches
As Tierney Education has grown, so has our team of exceptional academic coaches. Each coach brings a unique blend of expertise, experience, and a genuine passion for education and personal growth. From undergraduate achievers to doctoral scholars, our team is equipped to provide personalized support that aligns with each student's specific needs and aspirations.
Our expanded coaching team is a testament to our commitment to providing comprehensive, tailored educational support. By fostering a supportive, motivating environment, we aim to unlock each student's potential, ensuring they not only succeed academically but also develop the resilience and mindset needed for lifelong success.
EXECUTIVE COACHES
Owners Kim and James Tierney personally coach a limited number of students each semester. As the creators of our coaching program, they bring extensive experience in academic success strategies, executive functioning, and personalized student support.
Kimberly Tierney is a seasoned school psychologist with over a decade of experience in educational psychology. Kimberly holds an undergraduate degree in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Irvine, and both a Master's and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Psychology from Chapman University. With a robust history of facilitating social-emotional skill groups and providing personalized one-on-one coaching, Kimberly is adept at addressing a wide range of social-emotional and executive functioning needs among students. She specializes in implementing evidence-based interventions and working collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure student success. Her hands-on experience in conducting transformative sessions and offering tailored guidance makes her an invaluable resource for students and parents alike.
Kimberly’s comprehensive understanding of student needs, combined with her innovative approach to learning, underscores her dedication to fostering academic excellence. She is committed to helping students develop crucial executive functioning skills, empowering them to navigate their academic journeys successfully.
Kimberly Tierney
Director of Academic Coaching and Academic Coach
James Tierney
James E. Tierney, originally from upstate N.Y., attended Western New England University, double majoring in math and economics. He volunteered in the math tutoring center and became a Supplemental Instructor for introduction to microeconomics, publishing a paper on his experience. After an internship at MassMutual, James pursued a Master's degree at the University of California, Irvine, focusing on teaching. He has taught at SUNY Plattsburgh and spent over 7 years teaching large-lecture classes of introductory and intermediate macroeconomics at Penn State, including summer LEAP courses for incoming first-year students. James ended his tenure at Penn State in 2021, focusing on his education consulting business and community projects in State College.
James is the founder of Tierney Education and a former Penn State economics professor who brings over 15 years of teaching experience to the classroom. He specializes in helping students build strong foundations, improve problem-solving skills, and approach their courses with confidence.
Founder and Economics Tutor
PROFESSIONAL COACHES
Our professional coaches are carefully selected and trained by the Tierneys. This group includes current professors and graduate students who are experienced educators. They bring a variety of professional backgrounds and specialized expertise to support students in achieving their goals.