Serving Burlingame • San Mateo • Hillsborough

Academic Coaching in Burlingame, San Mateo & Hillsborough

Is your child struggling despite putting in hours of studying? Learn how to learn—master study skills, time management, and organization that transform academic performance, not just for this semester, but for life.

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What is Academic Coaching?

Academic coaching goes beyond helping with homework or explaining content. It’s about teaching students how to learn effectively, manage their time, stay organized, and approach challenges strategically.

Think of it this way: tutoring teaches you what to learn. Academic coaching teaches you how to learn. While tutors focus on subject content (math, science, English), academic coaches focus on the skills that make all learning possible—skills that transfer to every subject, every grade level, and eventually to college and career.

Is Academic Coaching Right for Your Child?

📚 Works hard but doesn’t see results

Your child spends hours studying but grades don’t reflect the effort. They’re working harder, not smarter, because no one taught them effective study strategies.

⏰ Poor time management

Procrastinates on assignments, crams for tests at the last minute, stays up late to finish work that could have been done earlier.

📝 Disorganized materials and approach

Loses papers, forgets assignments, doesn’t use a planner effectively, can’t find what they need when they need it.

🎯 Lacks effective study strategies

Re-reads notes over and over, highlights everything, doesn’t know how to prepare for tests beyond “looking over” material.

😰 Test anxiety or poor test performance

Knows the material but freezes during tests, makes careless errors, runs out of time, or doesn’t know how to approach different question types.

🎓 Transitioning to harder material

Moving from elementary to middle school, or middle school to high school, and the increased demands are overwhelming.

If several of these sound familiar, academic coaching can help your child develop the skills they need to succeed independently.

How is Academic Coaching Different?

Understanding Your Options:

Subject Tutoring

Focus: Content mastery in specific subjects (math, science, English)
Best for: Students who need help understanding course material

Academic Coaching

Focus: Study skills, time management, organization, learning strategies
Best for: Students who understand content but struggle with the “how” of learning

ADHD/EF Coaching

Focus: Executive function skills, ADHD-specific strategies, cognitive flexibility
Best for: Students with ADHD or significant executive function challenges

Many students benefit from a combination of services. During your free consultation, we’ll discuss which approach—or combination—is right for your child.

Need help with specific subjects too?

Explore Subject Tutoring →

My Approach: Teaching Students How to Think, Not What to Think

The Knowledge Tree Philosophy

Knowledge is like a tree: without a strong trunk, the branches can’t thrive. Before teaching specific study techniques, I assess where your child is coming from. What strategies have they tried? What’s worked and what hasn’t? What foundational skills are missing?

I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all study tips. Every brain is different. My job is to help students discover what works for their unique learning style, build those skills systematically, and develop the metacognitive awareness to adjust strategies as needed. The goal isn’t dependence on me—it’s creating independent, self-directed learners.

What Parents & Students Say

“

My son was getting Bs and Cs despite studying for hours every night. Rei taught him how to study effectively—spaced repetition, active recall, better note-taking. Now he’s getting As with less time and stress. I wish we’d found her sooner.

Parent Name

Parent of 10th Grade Student, San Mateo

“

I always thought I was just bad at school. Rei helped me realize I wasn’t bad at learning—I just didn’t know HOW to learn. Now I have strategies that actually work, and for the first time, I feel like I’m in control of my grades.

Student Name, Age 15

9th Grade Student, Burlingame

“

The biggest change wasn’t even the grades (though those did improve). It was watching my daughter become independent. She manages her own time now, uses her planner without being reminded, and actually feels confident about tests. Academic coaching was transformative.

Parent Name

Parent of 7th Grade Student, Hillsborough

What You’ll Gain from Academic Coaching

Core Skills We’ll Build

📚

Effective Study Strategies

Active recall, spaced repetition, the testing effect, interleaving practice—research-backed techniques that actually work, not just “study harder.”

⏰

Time Management & Planning

Breaking down long-term projects, creating realistic schedules, prioritizing tasks, avoiding procrastination, balancing multiple demands.

🗂️

Organization Systems

Physical and digital organization for materials, notes, and assignments. Creating systems that are sustainable and actually get used.

📝

Note-Taking Skills

Cornell method, concept mapping, effective summarization. Taking notes that are actually useful for studying later, not just transcription.

✅

Test Preparation & Test-Taking

Strategic review methods, managing test anxiety, approaching different question types, time management during exams, learning from mistakes.

🧠

Metacognition & Self-Awareness

Understanding how you learn best, recognizing when you don’t understand something, knowing when to ask for help, advocating for yourself.

Results You Can Expect

📈

Better Grades & Test Scores

Improved performance across all subjects as study strategies take effect. Many students see grade increases of one letter or more.

😌

Less Stress, More Confidence

Students feel in control with systems and strategies. Less last-minute panic, more confidence going into tests.

🎯

Greater Independence

Students take ownership of their learning. They know how to study, plan, and problem-solve without constant parental oversight.

Most students see meaningful changes within 6-12 weeks of consistent coaching. Building lasting skills is a process, not an overnight fix—most students work with me for a semester or full school year.

Investment

Academic Coaching

$150/hour

Study skills • Time management • Organization • Test strategies

Package Options Available:
Starter Package: 5 sessions – $750
Growth Package: 12 sessions – $1,800
Transformation Package: 24 sessions – $3,200 (best value)

Consistent coaching leads to lasting habit change. All packages include initial assessment, customized strategy development, and ongoing parent communication. Schedule a free consultation to discuss which package fits your child’s goals.

⚡ Currently accepting 2 new coaching clients for winter/spring semester.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How is academic coaching different from tutoring? +
Tutoring focuses on content—helping students understand math, science, or English concepts. Academic coaching focuses on process—teaching students how to study, organize, manage time, and approach learning strategically. Think of tutoring as teaching the “what” and coaching as teaching the “how.” Both are valuable, and many students benefit from a combination.
Can my child benefit from both tutoring and academic coaching? +
Absolutely! Many students need both. If your child struggles with specific subjects AND doesn’t have good study habits, combining tutoring and coaching provides comprehensive support. I can integrate both in our sessions or work alongside other tutors your child is seeing.
My child’s grades are good. Is academic coaching still useful? +
Yes! Students who are already doing well often benefit tremendously from coaching. We can help them work more efficiently (less time, same or better results), prepare for the increased rigor of advanced classes or college, or develop elite-level study skills that take good students to exceptional.
How long does academic coaching take to show results? +
Most students see improvements in organization and confidence within 4-6 weeks. Grade improvements typically show up within 6-12 weeks, after new study strategies have been practiced and habits solidified. Building lasting skills is a process, not an overnight fix—most students work with me for a semester or full school year.
What ages/grade levels do you work with? +
I work with students from late elementary school through high school (typically grades 4-12). Younger students focus on building basic organizational habits and study routines, while older students work on more sophisticated strategies and college preparation.
Do you offer in-person or online coaching? +
Both! I offer in-person academic coaching in Burlingame, San Mateo, and Hillsborough, as well as online coaching via Zoom. Many families find online coaching just as effective and appreciate the scheduling flexibility.
What if my child resists coaching or thinks they don’t need help? +
Resistance is common, especially with students who are getting by without too much struggle. I create a collaborative, non-judgmental environment where students discover for themselves what’s working and what isn’t. Often, once they experience working smarter (not just harder), they become enthusiastic participants in their own improvement.

Ready to Transform How Your Child Learns?

Let’s discuss your child’s current challenges and goals. Schedule a free consultation to learn how academic coaching can help your student work smarter, reduce stress, and achieve their full potential.

Start Building Better Habits

Free 30-minute strategy call. No pressure—just a conversation about how I can help.