QUICK ANSWER Nearly every public school in the country now has a phone rule. As of July 15, 2026, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) counted 42 states, plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico, with laws on student cellphone
Is Your Rising 9th Grader Ready for High School? 7 Signs You Should Be Worried
Your rising 9th grader had a good 8th-grade year: solid grades, few complaints from teachers, nothing that made you worry. You feel ready to send them off to high school in September. Then October comes, and the first progress report
Phone-Free Schools: A Summer Prep Guide for Parents
QUICK FACTS • Connecticut’s phone ban bill (HB 5035) died in the Senate on May 6, 2026 • 65 percent of CT districts already restrict phones during the school day • New York’s statewide ban entered its second year in
What Your Student Should Do During Spring Break If AP Exams Are 3 Weeks Away
Spring break for most Fairfield County families falls the week of April 13–17 this year. AP exams start May 4. That leaves roughly three weeks between the end of break and the first morning exam session. How your student uses
Why 9th Grade Is So Hard for Students with ADHD
Your child managed in middle school. Maybe they weren’t perfectly organized, maybe homework required more nudging than you would have liked, but they got through it. The grades were okay. Sometimes better than okay. Then 9th grade started. Six months
Can My Teen Still Raise Their Grade Before the End of the Quarter?
Progress reports are out. The grade sitting in your student’s gradebook might not be what either of you hoped for. And the question on every parent’s mind right now is the same one: Is there still time to fix this?
A Strategic Blueprint for March SATs and May AP Exams
It’s late February. Your high schooler has the March SAT coming up. And May AP exams looming after that, and possibly the June SAT if March doesn’t go well. And regular classes and extracurriculars layered on top of everything else.
Ditch the Highlighter: 3 Study Strategies That Actually Raise Grades
Your student spent three hours studying last night. You watched them. Notes spread across the table, highlighter in hand, music playing softly in the background. They looked busy. They looked focused. Then they bombed the test. “But I studied!” they
8 Ways to Start the School Year on the Wrong Foot (and How to Avoid Them)
The first weeks of school can feel like a lot. There’s the rush of new classes, fresh supplies, and seeing friends again. But there’s also pressure to be ready, stay organized, and keep up from the start. Success comes from
Transitioning to High School 101: What You Need to Know
The shift from middle school to high school can feel like trading training wheels for a bike on a busy road. It’s fast, unpredictable, and sometimes even overwhelming. Students often face many obstacles other than just learning tougher material. They
Navigating the College Admissions Process for 9th & 10th Graders, Part 2
As a parent, you play a crucial role in helping your child successfully navigate the college admissions process. From the moment they step into high school, every academic choice, extracurricular activity, and personal growth experience becomes part of building their
Navigating the College Admissions Process for 9th & 10th Graders, Part 1
As your child embarks on their high school journey, it’s never too early to start thinking about college. Navigating the college admissions process can be daunting, but with strategic planning and proactive steps taken in 9th and 10th grade, you
How Mind Mapping Helps ADHD Students Ace Their Exams
The Science-Based Hack That Helps ADHD Students Ace Exams Feeling overwhelmed by exam prep and endless note-taking? We’re in the midst of exam season! For students with ADHD, traditional study methods can often feel like running in circles. Fortunately, there’s
So You Just Got Your Child’s Q1 Progress Report, Now What?
We’re nearing the end of the first quarter, and the much-anticipated Q1 progress report has landed in your mailbox. As you scan through it, your heart sinks. The grades aren’t what you expected or hoped for. You might feel a
A Guide to Balancing Phone Use For Your ADHD Teen
Today, smartphones have become a huge part of our teens’ lives, giving them constant access to communication, learning, and entertainment. For many teens, especially those with ADHD, balancing phone use with other responsibilities can be a challenge. Too much screen
6 Signs Your ADHD Teen May Need Help In English Class
Have you noticed consistently low grades or concerning feedback on your child’s English assignments? Is your child struggling with writing essays or reading analysis in English class? It’s not uncommon for middle and high school students to struggle with English
5 Roadblocks That Undermine Academic Achievement — and How to Help
If you’re a parent of a middle or high school student, you are undoubtedly aware of the academic challenges your child faces. Adolescence is a defining period filled with complex psychological, emotional, and intellectual changes, and navigating the academic landscape
Successful Transitions – High School Edition
Transitioning to High School: What (YOU?) A Parent Needs to Know For Some Students, Transitioning to High School is Very Stressful. For Others, It’s an Exciting Time. Regardless, High School is The Major League. It Really Counts Now. Transitioning to