Support that begins with the student.

Each student brings their own learning profile, personality, challenges, strengths, and goals. TrueNorth’s advising focuses on helping students understand themselves, make thoughtful decisions, and approach academic transitions with clarity and intention.

Student-Athletes

Support for students balancing academics, athletics, and demanding schedules.

TrueNorth provides academic planning and executive functioning support that respects training, competition, and travel. We help students stay organized, grounded, and steady while navigating school expectations and future decisions.

For families navigating athletic pathways alongside academic decisions, TrueNorth works in partnership with Phoenix Advisory Group, which brings perspective on independent schools, post-graduate programs, and college athletic pathways—ensuring academic planning and school fit remain aligned with long-term goals.

Core Academic Advising Services

Direction & Strengths Mapping
Guided conversations and structured reflection to help students better understand their learning profile, interests, and emerging goals—so decisions are grounded in self-knowledge.

Academic & Transition Planning
Thoughtful guidance around course selection, school transitions, reclassification, and timing, with an emphasis on fit, timing, and long-term development.

Story & Essay Coaching
Support that helps students express their story in an authentic, grounded voice across personal statements, short answers, interviews, and conversations.

Parent Partnership
Ongoing communication and space for parents to ask questions, consider options, and better understand how to support their student through times of change.

Readiness for Admissions Work
For families also working with admissions consultants or counselors, TrueNorth helps students feel more prepared, organized, and better positioned throughout the admissions process.

Optional Add-On Support

Organization & Executive Functioning Support
Targeted support focused on systems, routines, and self-management skills to help students build independence and reduce overwhelm.

(Optional services are offered separately and tailored to individual student needs.)

Services

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College Transition, Decision-Making & Academic Support

Support for college students navigating academic expectations, decision-making, and personal adjustment as they learn to manage new expectations and responsibilities.

Learn more →

Questions Families Often Ask

  • No. TrueNorth works with students across a wide range of academic profiles and post-secondary goals. Our focus is not on prestige, but on fit, readiness, and long-term development.

  • That’s often the best time to begin. Many students come to TrueNorth feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or pressured to “figure it out.” We start by helping them understand themselves before asking them to make decisions.

  • No. TrueNorth often works alongside school counselors or admissions consultants. Our role is to help students approach those relationships with greater perspective, organization and follow-through.

  • We support students from middle school through college, as well as families navigating school transitions, academic decision making, and college related support.

  • Traditional counseling often focuses on deadlines and outcomes. TrueNorth focuses first on who the student is, how they learn, and what environments help them thrive—then builds plans from there.

  • Yes. Many students we work with are bright, motivated, and juggling a lot. Executive functioning support and structured reflection are core parts of our work, helping students reduce overwhelm, regain footing, and approach school with greater steadiness.

  • Yes. We frequently support student-athletes balancing academics, training, and recruiting pressures. The goal is balance and sustainability, not added stress.

  • Engagements are individualized, but typically involve regular meetings, guided reflection, planning conversations, and parent communication appropriate.

  • If you find yourself saying, “something feels unclear,” or “we want to slow this down and do it thoughtfully,” it’s usually the right time to start a conversation and explore next steps together.

Thoughtful answers to common questions from parents and students navigating school and college decisions.

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