Parent Education Speaker Series: Parent Like A Coach by Jane Singleton

Discover how to “Parent Like a Coach” and empower your teen to build independence, confidence, and essential life skills. Join Jane Singleton as she shares practical strategies to help parents foster growth and prepare teens for success in college and beyond. Learn tools to set realistic goals, adapt communication, and support your teen’s journey to adulthood.

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From Graduation to Greatness: Learn How a Gap Year will Enhance Your Teen’s Growth Trajectory

The transition from high school to college can feel overwhelming for both teens and their families, especially when considering a gap year.

That’s why we’ve invited Seth Kessler, Co-Founder of GapWell, to speak to our parents about “From Graduation to Greatness: Learn How a Gap Year Will Enhance Your Teen’s Growth Trajectory.”

In this presentation, we’ll explore the benefits of a gap year, how to determine if it’s the right fit for your teen, and strategies for planning a meaningful gap experience. Join us for valuable insights and practical advice to help your teen thrive during this important stage.

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Your Neurodiverse Teen and the Launch to College

The transition from high school to college can be incredibly challenging for neurodivergent teens and their families.

That’s why we’ve invited Dr. Andrea Malkin Brenner to come speak to our parents about “Your Neurodiverse Teen and the Launch to College”.

In this presentation, we’ll explore how parents can support their teens in building the self-advocacy skills they need for academic and social success while transitioning from a “fixer” role to a “supporter” role. Join us for helpful insights and practical strategies to guide your teen through this critical stage.

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Why Your Student Needs a Progressive No Grades High School

High School student at The Sycamore School, also known as TSS, a private high school in Northern Virginia.

What if a high school has no grades? No Advanced Placement (AP) classes. No International Baccalaureate (IB) program. To most parents in Northern Virginia, this is profoundly unsettling information. They ask, “How will my child get into college?”. The current model is not working for many students, but parents are afraid of the unknown. What they don’t know is that a progressive high school like The Sycamore School (TSS) may be precisely what they need to get into college. The college admissions process has changed dramatically since most parents were in high school. More students than ever are applying to college and acceptance rates have dropped considerably. In 1970, 152,000 students were enrolled in college, by 2000, that number had increased to 382,000 students who were enrolled in college in Virginia. [EducationData.org; July 2021] This is a particular challenge in Northern Virginia, where nine out of the top ten top…

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TSS Earns Cognia Accreditation

TSS students in class

“Is your school accredited?” Since opening The Sycamore School, that has been one of the most common questions. Answering that seemingly simple question was not easy and required some explanation. Schools can only apply for accreditation after they have been open for at least three years; some accreditation organizations require five years. As soon as we could, we started the accreditation process. We had a successful pre-accreditation visit in August of 2019 and had our accreditation visit scheduled for spring of 2020 when COVID hit. Our visit was re-scheduled for the fall of 2020 and then pushed back to April of 2021. It has been a long two years of hurry up and wait, but I can now proudly say, “Yes, The Sycamore School is fully accredited!” What does Accreditation Mean? Accreditation agencies ensure that educational institutions are providing quality education to students and a positive experience for their families.…

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