Supporting Students in Chicago with Executive Function Support

At Untapped Learning, we are dedicated to helping students develop the executive function skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. While our services are available nationwide, we have a special connection to Chicago. 

Over the years, we’ve supported many students from the Chicago area, and several of our dedicated coaches call Chicago home. This unique connection allows us to provide personalized, effective remote coaching for students with ADHD, anxiety, and other executive function challenges.

How Our Remote Program Works

Our remote program is designed to meet the specific needs of middle and high school students who may have ADHD, dyslexia, or anxiety. It is also designed for student-athletes and students without a diagnosis who are looking to improve their executive function skills and reach their potential in and out of the classroom. Whether a student is struggling with focus or simply wants to excel academically while balancing extracurricular activities, our program is tailored to help them succeed. 

Executive function skills, often described as the “CEO of the brain,” are needed for setting goals, planning, and managing time effectively. When these skills are underdeveloped, students may find it difficult to organize their tasks, start and complete assignments, or balance academic and personal responsibilities. 

Each student is paired with a coach who specializes in executive function coaching and understands their unique challenges. Students in our remote program meet with their coaches for two 30-minute, one-on-one sessions each week. During these sessions, we focus on:

• Checking the student’s online portals and grades and addressing any missing assignments. This includes emailing teachers to make up assignments and creating a plan to get them done.
• Reviewing class websites for upcoming assignments and assessments. Together, we create a weekly plan that breaks down the student’s workload day by day. This plan is interactive, allowing the student to mark tasks as complete and the coach to track progress.
• Teaching and implementing strategies that fit the student’s individual learning style. Our coaches help students recognize when to use these strategies and how to advocate for themselves outside of the sessions.

But our support doesn’t stop there. Coaches are available between sessions to check on progress, answer questions, and provide additional guidance as needed. This ongoing support helps students feel connected and ensures they are always moving forward, whether they are navigating the complexities of ADHD and anxiety or striving to achieve peak performance as student-athletes or ambitious students.

Our Chicago Connection

Our team has deep roots in the Chicago area. Several of our executive function coaches grew up in the region, bringing with them a strong understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by students in the city and its suburbs. This local knowledge allows us to tailor our approach to meet the specific needs of Chicago students, whether they’re navigating the competitive environment of high-achieving schools or managing the demands of extracurricular activities.

We have successfully worked with numerous students in Chicago, helping them develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed. Our experience spans many middle and high schools across the area, as well as prestigious institutions such as Columbia College, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, DePaul University, and the University of Illinois. 

Our coaches are familiar with the local school systems, understand the academic expectations, and are adept at working within the constraints of busy schedules, which often include sports, music, and other extracurricular activities. This familiarity with Chicago’s educational landscape allows us to provide effective support for students with ADHD and anxiety, helping them thrive in a demanding academic environment.

Real Stories, Real Impact

One of our success stories in Chicago involves a high-achieving student from the North Shore area. She was a dedicated and driven student, but her perfectionist tendencies led to significant anxiety. Despite her strong academic performance, she constantly felt overwhelmed and struggled to balance her schoolwork with other aspects of her life. Every assignment felt like a high-stakes task, and her weekends were consumed with catching up on work, leaving little time for relaxation or social activities.

Our executive function coach worked closely with her to develop a system for planning and organizing her week. Together, they created a structured yet flexible schedule that prioritized her academic responsibilities while carving out time for friends, family, and extracurricular activities. By breaking down her tasks into manageable pieces and setting realistic expectations for herself, she began to experience a newfound sense of control over her life.

This structured approach not only reduced her anxiety but also opened up more freedom in her schedule. Despite spending less time on schoolwork, her grades remained high, and she felt more engaged and fulfilled in both her academic and personal life. This transformation highlighted how effective planning and time management can improve overall well-being and lead to greater success without sacrificing happiness.

Helping Chicago Students Reach Their Goals

At Untapped Learning, our goal is to help students reach their potential in a way that is both effective and convenient for families. We know that every student has unique strengths and challenges, and we work closely with them to develop personalized strategies that fit their needs. Our executive function coaching is built on quick feedback loops, ensuring that students receive timely support and can make adjustments as needed. This flexibility is especially important for busy Chicago families balancing academics, extracurriculars, and other commitments.

We understand the Chicago area—its diverse school environments, the pressures of high academic expectations, and the unique needs of students with ADHD, anxiety, and executive function challenges. Our coaches are well-equipped to navigate these complexities, providing support that helps students not only achieve their academic goals but also lead balanced, fulfilling lives. By creating a strong foundation of executive function skills, we empower students to succeed both in school and beyond, preparing them for whatever challenges lie ahead.

If you’re interested in learning more about how Untapped Learning can support your student in Chicago, contact us today for a free consultation. Let’s work together to help your child thrive, academically and personally.