Middle School Coaching
(6-8)

Supporting Growing Independence During a Big Transition

Middle school is a turning point.

Expectations increase. Independence grows. Emotions get bigger.
Many students who “did fine” in elementary school suddenly feel overwhelmed.

At Positive Learning KC, I support middle school students as they build the skills needed to manage increased academic demands — while still honoring where they are developmentally.

Is Coaching Right for Your Child?

Coaching may be a great fit if your child:

  • Feels overwhelmed by school expectations

  • Struggles with organization, planning, or time management

  • Has difficulty getting started or following through on work

  • Becomes frustrated, shut down, or emotionally reactive

  • Is capable but inconsistent

  • Needs support balancing independence and accountability

Middle school is often when executive function challenges become more noticeable. Coaching helps students build skills before stress and frustration snowball.

Middle school coaching bridges skill-building and independence.

I focus on helping students develop strategies they can begin to own — with appropriate support from adults along the way.

Common areas of focus include:

Self-Awareness & Regulation

  • Recognizing stress, emotions, and energy levels

  • Learning how emotions impact behavior and focus

  • Practicing regulation strategies that work in real life

Executive Function Skills

  • Organization and planning

  • Task initiation and follow-through

  • Time management and prioritization

  • Managing homework and longer-term assignments

  • Flexible thinking when plans change

Independence & Responsibility

  • Learning to take ownership of school responsibilities

  • Building routines and systems that support consistency

  • Practicing problem-solving and decision-making

What Coaching Looks Like at This Age

Coaching sessions are:

  • Structured, supportive, and collaborative

  • Focused on real school demands

  • Strength-based and non-judgmental

  • Designed to help students reflect and problem-solve

I meet students where they are while gradually encouraging independence and self-advocacy.

This is not tutoring and not therapy.

Coaching focuses on skill-building, strategies, and growth over time.

Parent
Involvement

Parent involvement continues to be an important part of middle school coaching — though the role begins to shift.

Parents commit to:

  • Completing a pre-session form to share updates, concerns, or observations

  • Joining the last 10 minutes of a session (Full Time Sessions only)

  • Supporting consistency with strategies at home when needed

The pre-session form helps me:

  • Stay informed about what’s happening outside of sessions

  • Prepare intentionally for each coaching session

  • Support the student more effectively

I’ll explain this process in more detail during the consultation.

Next Steps:

If this sounds like what you’ve been looking for, the next step is a consultation.

This gives me a chance to:

  • Learn more about your child

  • Talk through concerns and goals

  • Explain how coaching and parent involvement would work

  • Decide together if this is the right fit

Schedule a Parent Consultation

Coaching Commitment for Middle School

For middle school–aged students:

  • Part Time or Full Time coaching is available

    • Part Time Coaching

      • $325/mo

      • 3x25 min coaching sessions/mo

      • Virtual sessions only

    • Full Time Coaching

      • $525/mo

      • 3x50 min coaching sessions/mo

      • In Person or Virtual options

    • Up to 30 minutes of communication with any support team

    • Access to weekly virtual body double sessions (Sundays, 5:00–5:50pm CST)

  • Consistency allows for trust, skill-building, and meaningful progress

Skills like organization, time management, and emotional regulation continue to develop during middle school.


A consistent coaching relationship helps students build independence while still receiving the support they need.

Why Families Choose Positive Learning KC

Families choose to work with me during the middle school years because coaching at PLKC supports students through a time of growing expectations, emotions, and independence.

My approach is:

  • Strength-based, not behavior-focused
    I don’t focus on “fixing” behaviors. I focus on helping students understand what’s underneath challenges and build skills that support growth.

  • Developmentally appropriate for the middle school years
    Middle schoolers are learning to manage more responsibility while still needing structure. Coaching balances guidance with increasing independence.

  • Rooted in executive function skill-building
    Coaching focuses on skills like organization, planning, time management, task initiation, flexibility, and follow-through — within the context of real school demands.

  • Supportive of parent–child dynamics
    Coaching helps reduce power struggles by clarifying roles and expectations, allowing parents to support without hovering.

  • Structured, but flexible
    Sessions are intentional and consistent, while still adapting to what a student needs in the moment.

  • Focused on progress, not perfection
    Middle school is a learning phase. Coaching emphasizes reflection, growth, and skill-building over pressure or punishment.

Students aren’t micromanaged or labeled.

They’re supported as they learn to manage responsibilities, regulate emotions, and build confidence.