How Does Academic Coaching Differ From Tutoring?

Tutoring and academic coaching are often grouped together, but they serve different purposes, especially for boarding school applicants. Tutoring focuses on academic content. That might mean strengthening writing skills, improving reading comprehension, reviewing math concepts, or preparing for exams like the SSAT or ISEE. If a student has gaps in a subject or needs help understanding material, tutoring is essential.

Academic coaching, on the other hand, focuses on how students manage their learning. Coaching addresses planning, organization, time management, follow-through, and task initiation. These are the skills that determine whether a student can handle the independence of boarding school life. A coach helps students figure out how to plan their week, keep track of assignments, start work without procrastinating, and finish tasks consistently.

Many boarding school applicants need both. They may understand the material but struggle to manage everything at once. Or they may be capable but inconsistent. Coaching helps students build systems that work for them so they’re not relying on reminders from parents. Boarding schools value this kind of independence, and coaching helps students practice it before they ever step on campus.