As the trees are sprouting new buds and leaves, and the days grow longer, I am feeling my own sense of renewal. You might also be feeling more energy and and getting ideas for projects you’d like to tackle this spring, so this is a...

At this cold, dark time of year it can be hard to think about summer, but this is actually a great time to start planning.  Summer schedules are starting to become available for academic and athletic programs as well as camps. If you're planning to...

Thanksgiving break is always followed by a college-related event: the release of PSAT scores. As I mentioned in my October message, this test is strictly diagnostic for 10th graders. However, it offers an opportunity to start thinking ahead. The Class of 2025 should consider the...

I hope you've settled into the school year and are doing well and enjoying fall, both academically and more generally. Many of you will be getting your first quarter grades in the coming weeks. How have the first couple months of school been going?  You...

Welcome back to school! I hope you had a wonderful summer and are ready to get back to work. As always, your top priority should be to have a strong academic year.  Settle into your classes and be sure you understand your teachers' policies and...

You’ve officially completed the first half of high school and believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking a little bit about college. By the end of 10th grade I like students to have done a few college visits, but this summer can also...

As you wrap up your classes and final exams, I hope you've had a great 10th grade year. If you set goals for the year, this is a good time to revisit them and see how much progress you made. If you met your goals,...

Good luck to those of you who are in the midst of AP exams and gearing up for finals. This is the time of year where stepping up your studying can have double the impact, since it will strengthen both your final term grade and...

Now that in-person college visits are widely available again, I’ve been taking the opportunity to see some of our local campuses in the DC area. Local visits are a great way for you to start your college exploration as well.  I recommend that students see...

Do you have summer plans in the works? Of course you'll need some down time so you can start your junior year fresh and energized, but you should also do something constructive. Spending time on a project or hobby, finding a job, or volunteering are...