Foundational Tier
The outcome
3 projects
- Exploratory
- Expanded
- High-impact
The full path: up to four years of mentoring, three projects that build on each other, and support through applications to a final decision in May of senior year.
What Your Student Will Complete
Each project builds on the last: exploratory in 9th grade, expanded in 10th and high-impact in 11th. Foundational covers that whole stretch.
How the portfolio builds
Exploratory
9th grade
Expanded
10th grade
High-impact
11th grade
High-impact means a publication, a competition entry or a community-facing deliverable.
A high-impact project portfolio takes 2–3 years of compounding work. Each project builds on the last. That's why starting early matters.
Included in Every Tier
- Interest and aptitude assessment, so each project plan is built around your student
- Summer planning each year, including research and internship opportunities
- Academic advising and course selection each year
- College list of up to 12 schools, built around ambitious targets
- Preparation for science fairs and other competitions
- Interview preparation
- Common App essay coaching (5 revision rounds) and supplemental essay coaching (2 rounds each). We coach; students write.
- Letter-of-recommendation strategy and brag sheet
- Student Narrative Document: the one-page story of who your student is
- Meeting notes shared with parents after every session
- Three parent check-ins a year
- Scholarship database access
Not included
Subject tutoring · Standardized test preparation · School counselor liaison
How Often You'll Meet
Up to 60 mentoring meetings over two and a half to four years. Meetings are in person at our Frisco office or online.
- FoundationalStarts July before 9th grade Starts July before 9th grade. Enrollment open through fall of 10th grade. The program continues to Decision Day in May of 12th grade.
- AcceleratedStarts January of 10th grade Starts January of 10th grade. Enrollment open through fall of 11th grade. The program continues to Decision Day in May of 12th grade.
- SprintStarts January of 11th grade Starts January of 11th grade. Enrollment open through spring of 11th grade. The program continues to Decision Day in May of 12th grade.
- 1
About monthly through 10th grade
- 2
About twice a month from 11th grade through applications
- 3
As needed through May of senior year
Between two start dates?
The right tier depends on your student's experience as much as on the calendar. A student with research experience or a solid profile may be able to take on the earlier tier's projects in less time. For a student newer to projects, we'll usually recommend the later tier, even with a couple of months to spare.
Starting at a Different Time?
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule a free consultation to talk through your student's goals and whether Foundational is the right fit.