Technology is an essential tool in today’s society. As a result, it has become a valuable resume building asset for students interested in STEM, business and many other fields. Whether your teen intends on majoring in STEM or not, coding can be an important skill that demonstrates critical thinking, problem solving abilities, and even persistence.  Fortunately, with all of the online sources available today, learning to code can be a relatively simple process. We have compiled below a list of the most popular and effective websites that teach coding to students with varying levels of…

By: Kate Sonnenberg

Scholarly researchers and educators generally agree that bilingual or multilingual children have increased brain plasticity and an academic edge. In Why Bilinguals Are Smarter, Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, writing in the New York Times, reports that “the bilingual experience improves the brain’s so-called executive function — a command system that directs the attention processes that we use for planning, solving problems and performing various other mentally demanding tasks.” Auburn University lists Twenty-five Reasons to Study Foreign Languages, including, among…

One of the benefits of high school is that classes are offered in more than just the four core subjects. Students are exposed to a wider array of fields, specialties, and opportunities to explore their passions. There are advanced-level courses, clubs, and out-of-school activities built to encourage your child to grow both academically and personally. Students with a budding interest in science may find their curiosity is peaked by a chemistry class or a robotics workshop. Those with a love for writing may discover a whole new role on the school newspaper. There are countless paths upon…

Most universities offer high schoolers the opportunity to study on campus over the summer. Typically via weeks or months-long residential programs, younger students are given the opportunity to play at being college students, walking across the quad to their advanced level courses as any other student would do during the school year.

This is debatably their intended purpose. Publically, most colleges maintain that their prestigious-sounding summer programs are meant to give high schoolers a taste of the college experience. They eat in the dining halls, sleep in the dorms, and most…

*Updated for Summer 2022*

The winter months are an excellent time to apply to summer opportunities, including internships, jobs, and summer programs. Application deadlines are often early in the calendar year and students will need a fair amount of time to prepare their materials. High schoolers should utilize any time off to research these opportunities and ensure that they’re ready and that they’re applying to roles that suit them.

Upon beginning your research, you may quickly realize that there are a dozen or so institutes and programs that stand above the rest. These…

It is easy for students to overcommit early in their high school career. Understandably, your child may have enthusiastically signed up for a number of activities at the clubs fare or accumulated them over the course of their freshman year. In the beginning, it’s relatively easy to continue showing up for these activities without questioning their purpose. However as the semesters ware on, it’s important to stop and evaluate. Encourage your student to take time and determine which of their groups are of value and which they want to focus on as high school progresses. 

This may…

For a high schooler, a resume may represent one of the first thresholds into adulthood. While they are professionally-minded documents, resumes are not nearly as self-serious and rigid as they may appear. A student should view a resume as an opportunity to highlight their achievements and express enthusiasm about what they’d like to do next. 

What is a Resume and Why Do You Need One? 

A resume is a structured document that summarizes a person’s qualifications. This usually includes a history of employment and involvements as well as skills and abilities. 

Driven students in the math and science fields may want to pursue research opportunities as early as high school. Experience in a lab or in the field is a learning experience unlike what your child has with textbooks and teachers. These opportunities are excellent ways for students to further explore their academic interests and even develop a specialty in a certain field. A research position is also a great way for talented students to prove their passions and set themselves apart during college admissions. Securing a competitive position as a research assistant shows real dedication,…

By Zoe Marquedant

Gifted and Talented programs are opportunities for your child to explore their potential beyond the classroom. Participation may have been suggested by a perceptive teacher, a trusted academic advisor, or perhaps by yourself after careful research. 

What are gifted/talented programs and how can your child benefit from participating in one? 

These programs are often a mix of testing opportunities, online courses, weekend enrichment programs, academic-year programs, service-based trips, summer residential programs, and other events geared towards…

Summer is one of the best times that students can focus on activities in a meaningful way without the pressure of school and extracurricular commitments.  While it is also a good time to schedule test prep and college visits, students applying to selective colleges use this time to explore and further their academic and other interests to a level that would not be possible during the school year.  Selective colleges are looking for students that have shown sustained and committed interest in academic and extracurricular endeavors beyond what is typically offered at schools.  Summer is the…