Harness your student’s untapped potential with Executive Function Coaching

Our personalized executive function coaching empowers your child to thrive in school, relationships, and careers. We start with the ‘lead domino’—the key habit or skill that creates the biggest positive shift, ensuring immediate progress and building momentum with each impactful change.
Unleash Your Student’s Potential

Meet Untapped Learning

We help students develop the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.
  • Build Disciplined Routines: Establish consistent habits that support learning and personal growth
  • Plan Ahead: Anticipate tasks and deadlines to stay ahead of heavy workloads
  • Advocate for Oneself: Communicate needs effectively with teachers and peers
  • Improve Problem-Solving Skills: Approach challenges with confidence and strategic thinking
  • Stay Organized: Keep track of assignments, materials, and responsibilities
  • Manage Time Effectively: Prioritize tasks and create realistic schedules
  • Maintain Focus: Develop strategies to minimize distractions and stay on task

In-person coaching

Engage in a tangible, supportive coaching journey with our in-person learning centers in Broomfield and Superior, Colorado.

Virtual coaching

Harness the power of digital learning and growth from anywhere in the U.S. with our interactive online coaching sessions.

Empower. Motivate.

Elevate their journey: from struggles to strengths.

At Untapped Learning, our mission is to help students develop skills that will benefit them long after their time in school. By helping instill the executive function skills that our traditional education system often fails to address — and “praising the process” along the way — Untapped sets students up for success in school and in life.

Learn More About Untapped →

students mentored since 2017

of high school students attend a college or university

of first-time students improve their GPA

of students report decreased levels of academic anxiety

Real stories from our parents and students

executive function coaching reviews

5 stars

The staff at Untapped is so professional and kind. The mentors are great at connecting with kids and helping them reach their potential. My son really struggled with being motivated and staying on track, and they helped him stay focused on what he needed to be successful. LOVE them!

Kristina Nellessen
High School Parent

Hear more from our community

5 stars review

I refer my clients to Untapped Learning because they have created an ideal system for students with ADHD to be successful and meet their personal and academic goals. They don’t put a bandaid on the challenges that they face – instead, Untapped gives students tools that they can use for a lifetime.

Stacy Hernandez

College Counselor
5 stars review

Untapped Learning’s students have responded overwhelmingly well to their lessons about how the brain works and how to improve their executive function skills. They continue to provide their students with the tools they need to feel empowered and ready to navigate school and adolescence. This is what we want education to achieve.

Andrea Clyne

School Psychologist
5 stars review

I have had the pleasure of working with Untapped Learning for years. They have developed a unique style of executive function coaching based on the Spark model developed at Harvard University. Untapped Learning teaches students the “rules of school” and holds them accountable with weekly tasks. They also reinforce the use of movement as a way to harness executive function skills. Untapped’s work frees parents to more peacefully coexist with their children. I highly recommend them as an executive function coach for families that are looking for a program that works!

Dr. Marcy Cooper

Psychiatrist
5 stars review

As a pediatric neuropsychologist, I am often referred patients in need of support with various aspects of executive functioning. I commit extensive research into the resources in our community to best understand how to serve those needs. Untapped Learning is a great example of wraparound support that can tailor services to the goals and style of each individual family. I have referred many patients to Untapped Learning over the years and continue to be grateful for their commitment to student empowerment and growth. They are an excellent resource for this community!

Dr. Zach Sussman

Neuropsychologist
5 stars review

I’ve been amazed since my first visit to Untapped Learning with how genuine the focus is always first and foremost on every student’s spirit, individuality, and self-worth. Brandon Slade and his team not only know their stuff, but they work so very hard to adapt their knowledge to each individual to help each student become life-long learners and happy adults. Not only have my children prospered from learning executive function skills, but I have begun using those skills in my personal and professional life to great significance. My kids won’t head off to college without first spending time with Brandon’s team.

Matt Rogers

5 stars review

I am a pediatric neuropsychologist and have been referring children and families to Untapped for years. A few years ago, my own son started there. We had a terrific experience. His mentor was amazing. He had contact with other mentors, as well, and he always felt connected and impressed by those folks, too. While he learned quite a bit about organization and planning, what was most important (and unexpected) was how the relationships he built there helped him connect to the importance of school, and following through with academic work and responsibilities. I continue to enthusiastically recommend Untapped. It is really a great program and an excellent team.

Dr. Amy Connery

Neuropsychologist
5 stars review

Brandon Slade and his team at Untapped Learning are absolutely AMAZING! We have been working with Brandon for many years. He brings passion, energy and expertise for working with children, adolescents, and young adults providing mentoring and strong skill based learning to support increased executive functioning.

Jennifer Ryan

5 stars review

We have used Brandon Slade to provide professional development for our school district and it was incredibly helpful. After his first PD, we had 100 counselors who completed a book study on executive functioning. A year later, he provided PD for our MTSS leaders who found his work relevant and necessary for their work teens. I highly recommend using Brandon for PD to support all educators.

Kristin Hefflon

Educator
5 stars review

Untapped is the space for kids to flourish through a safe and welcoming environment. Brandon and his mentors are up to some amazing work inside Untapped and within local communities. Keep up the amazing work!

Hannah Bennett

Download Our Latest Resource

Parent Toolkit: Improving Executive Function Skills

Our Approach

Mentorship that moves, guides, and transforms.

Untapped Learning combines a unique movement approach with research-driven strategies, empowering students to navigate academic and life challenges with confidence and resilience.

Frequently asked questions

Executive function (or EF) skills include planning, organization, time management, focused attention, impulse control, task initiation, flexibility, emotional regulation, verbal and working memory, problem-solving, and metacognition. These skills are hosted in the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, attention, behavior, and emotion. (When people talk about our brains not fully developing until our mid- to late-twenties, this is the part of the brain they’re referring to.) In more tangible terms, these are the skills that help us maintain routines, prevent procrastination, and get out the door on time (among other things).

Many people develop these skills in their teens, but sometimes the skills don’t come naturally to everyone. People who have learning challenges like ADHD and dyslexia, those who struggle with anxiety or depression, and many others with no official diagnoses, often need to be taught these skills. With practice, everyone is capable of learning them.

That’s where we come in!

While traditional tutoring aims to improve understanding and performance in specific subject areas, executive function coaching targets the skills necessary for effective learning across all subjects. Untapped’s mentors empower students to understand their own learning processes, develop strategies for overcoming obstacles, and build self-regulation skills. We like to say that we approach executive function skill development through an academic perspective, but our focus is on the cognitive processes behind successful learning. Planning, organizing, etc. through the lens of school provides consistent, tangible ways for mentors and students to recognize and practice these skills. This approach typically facilitates immediate academic improvement, but more importantly, it fosters long-term resilience and adaptability, equipping students with the skills to tackle new challenges on their own.

At the end of the day, we’re less focused on GPA and more focused on increasing independence and building confidence so our students are successful in and beyond school.

Our in-person middle and high school students meet with their mentors at the same time every week for one hour. These sessions, held in the supportive and interactive environment of our Broomfield center, enable students and mentors to build a strong rapport and offer immediate feedback and encouragement.

Remote students and college students meet with their mentors twice a week for 30-minute sessions. These shorter meetings help students stay engaged and focused. Meeting twice a week is especially beneficial for college students—and their workloads—as it allows mentors to help students adjust their weekly plan and course correct when needed.

Regardless of student age or location, mentors reach out throughout the week to check in on progress, help problem-solve any situations that may arise, and provide supportive accountability from a non-parent, non-teacher perspective.

Untapped employs a multifaceted approach to track and measure the progress of our students, ensuring that each step forward is recognized and built upon. We also acknowledge that progress often looks like “two steps forward, one step back.” We begin by establishing clear, individualized goals based on a student’s initial assessment, strengths, and areas for development. Progress is then monitored through a combination of qualitative observations and quantitative metrics, including the completion of specific tasks and/or assignments, tracking grades, improvements in time management and organizational skills, and reflections on learning experiences. Regular check-ins with students and parents provide opportunities to assess growth, address challenges, and adjust strategies as needed. This allows us to celebrate successes, big and small, and ensures that our mentoring remains aligned with each student’s evolving needs.

Mentors at Untapped undergo a comprehensive training program designed to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and sensitivity required to effectively support students with diverse learning needs. Here’s an overview of the training process:

  • Foundational Knowledge: Initial training sessions focus on foundational knowledge in developmental psychology, educational psychology, and an understanding of neurodiversity, including ADHD, dyslexia, and ASD.
  • Executive Function Skills: Mentors receive in-depth training on executive function skills, specifically on recognizing deficits and taking action to target that skill development in a way that does not make students feel insufficient, attacked, or “less than.” This training incorporates strategies that aid in learning and skill development that benefit ALL students, and not only those with learning differences.
  • Ethical and Privacy Training: Mentors are thoroughly trained on ethical considerations and privacy laws relevant to working with minors and sensitive information. This ensures all interactions and data handling comply with high standards of confidentiality and integrity. Mentors are also required to complete mandatory reporter training once a year.
  • Cultural and Contextual Sensitivity: Recognizing the diverse backgrounds of students, mentors are trained to approach their work with cultural and contextual sensitivity. This prepares them to respect and understand different family dynamics, beliefs, and values.
  • Ongoing Professional Development: Beyond initial training, mentors engage in continuous professional development, including workshops and peer learning sessions. This ensures they remain updated on the latest research, techniques, and tools in education and psychology.
  • Feedback and Supervision: Regular feedback sessions and supervision are part of the training and development process, allowing mentors to refine their skills, discuss challenges, and continuously improve their effectiveness.

Untapped’s training program ensures that mentors are not only well-prepared to meet the academic and developmental needs of their students but also support their emotional and psychological well-being.

Here’s a step-by-step overview of the enrollment process:

  • Initial Inquiry: Parents or guardians start by reaching out to Untapped through our website, phone, or email to express interest in our mentoring programs. This initial contact includes a brief discussion about the student’s needs, challenges, and goals.
  • Intake Meeting: Following the initial inquiry and the resulting phone call, an “intake” is scheduled. This meeting can take place in person, over the phone, or via a video call, but its purpose is to provide an opportunity for parents and students to learn more about Untapped, discuss specific needs, and ask any questions they may have. During this meeting, Untapped employees will get a feel for the student’s academic skills, executive function challenges, learning styles, and any specific challenges or areas of concern. Based on that information, they can recommend a mentor to Untapped’s scheduling coordinator. This match is based on the student’s needs, personality, interests, and the mentor’s expertise, teaching style, and experience. Ensuring a good fit is crucial for building a positive and productive mentoring relationship.
  • Enrollment: Once a mentor is matched and the program is selected, the formal enrollment process begins. This includes setting clear, achievable goals for the student, establishing a schedule for sessions, and discussing any logistical details.

Reach out now to start the process!

Explore our learning resources

Resources for Blog

What Is Executive Function Coaching?

What is Executive Function Coaching? Brandon Slade November 14, 2024 Summary: Executive function (EF) skills are like the scaffolding that[…]

Strategies for Neurodiverse Students Are Best Practice for All

Strategies for Neurodiverse Students How implementing strategies for Neurodiverse students can benefit all students Brandon Slade November 13, 2024 Summary:[…]
What Are Executive Function Skills? A Comprehensive Guide for Parents, Educators, Athletes, and Young Adults

What Are Executive Function Skills? A Comprehensive Guide for Parents, Educators, Athletes, and Young Adults

What Are Executive Function Skills? A Comprehensive Guide for Parents, Educators, Athletes, and Young Adults Matt slouched in his chair,[…]

Executive Function Skills for Middle School Success

Executive Function Skills for Middle School Success Middle school is a time of significant change as students adjust to new[…]

10 Essential Skills for College Success: Mastering Time, Organization, and Focus

10 Essential Skills for College Success: Mastering Time, Organization, and Focus Scarlet is a first-year engineering student stepping onto campus[…]

Resources for Downloads

CU Boulder Checklist

[download id="19313"]

College Readiness = Executive Function Skills

Click the link to download our College EF Skills resource packet! [download id='18240']

Building Executive Function Skills Over the Summer | 6th-12th Grade

Click the link to download our Summer EF Skills packet! [download id='18236']

Summer Program Sample Lesson: Structuring “Free Time”

In college, students are trusted with more independence than they typically have in high school. While this newfound flexibility and[…]

Syllabus Checklist

Click the link below to download our syllabus checklist [download id='17503']

Resources for Podcast

Untapped Podcast

Interview With Executive Function Expert Brandon Slade – Part 1

Untapped Podcast

Interview With Executive Function Expert Brandon Slade – Part 2

Untapped Podcast

Dealing with ADHD in College – Brandon Slade

Untapped Podcast

10 Meaningful Minutes: Guidance for Your Child with ADHD

Untapped Podcast

The Navy Seal Approach to Executive Functioning Coaching with Youth

Resources for Video

How to Succeed as a Student-Athlete: Greg Hibl’s Path to NCAA Success

ADHD Success Story: From Dropout to Dean’s List with College Mentor Nathan Weinberg

Tour Untapped Learning’s Broomfield Center!

College Success Strategies: Expert Advice from Untapped Mentor Emiko Patterson

Secrets to Academic Success: Insights from Queen’s University Student Natalie Wilcox