What is academic support?
Academic support helps students build the knowledge, skills, and strategies they need to become more confident and independent learners. Through one-on-one instruction in reading, writing, math, and science, students strengthen foundational skills, close learning gaps, and learn strategies that support success both in and out of the classroom.
Academic support is for kids and teens, with or without a diagnosis, who may:
- Need extra support in reading, writing, math, or science
- Find planning, organizing, or studying challenging
- Feel frustrated or overwhelmed by homework
- Have difficulty managing time or completing multi-step tasks
- Want to build greater confidence, independence, and effective learning habits
Academic support versus tutoring
Tutoring helps students complete schoolwork, prepare for tests, and keep up with classroom expectations.
Academic support goes a step further. It helps students strengthen foundational skills, close learning gaps, and understand how they learn best. By combining academic instruction with practical learning strategies, students build the skills to plan, organize, study, and problem-solve with greater independence and confidence
“We need someone who teaches in a way that works for our kid, someone who helps them understand how they learn.”
Academic support can helpAcademic support at Red Oak
Our Ontario Certified Teachers provide individualized support to help students fill learning gaps, strengthen foundational academic skills, and develop the strategies they need to learn with greater independence, efficiency, and confidence. By combining targeted academic instruction with practical learning strategies, we help students build skills for planning, organizing, studying, problem-solving, and understanding how they learn best.
At Red Oak, academic support is:
- Tailored to each student’s strengths, learning needs, and stage of development
- Focused on building skills and strategies that support learning now and as academic demands grow
- Grounded in evidence-based educational practices
- Collaborative, working with families and schools when helpful
- Coordinated with other Red Oak services when appropriate
Areas of focus and methods
We support learning in literacy, math, and science using evidence-based programs, including:
Benefits of academic support
- Builds confidence and reduces frustration
- Teaches clear strategies for independent work
- Lowers stress for students and families
- Keeps learning consistent across home, school, and Red Oak
- Improves planning and organization
- Encourages motivation and pride in learning
- Develops self-awareness and self-advocacy
Working with an academic support coach: our process
1. Intake session – We meet with the student and family to learn about strengths, challenges, and goals.
2. Assessment – We use short activities like reading checks, writing samples, and math tasks to see where help is needed. Existing reports, such as IEPs or assessments, may guide the plan.
3. Structured plan – We create a clear plan with simple, measurable goals that focus on long-term skill building.
4. Instructional sessions – Teachers model strategies, guide practice, and help students gain independence. Assignments become tools for strengthening core skills.
5. Family and school collaboration – With consent, we share progress and strategies with parents and teachers. This helps students use new skills at home and at school.
6. Review and sustain – We monitor progress, adjust goals, and plan how students can continue to grow and advocate for their learning needs.
Connect with our academic support team to help your child fill learning gaps and build confidence as a learner.
Get academic supportExecutive Function & Academic Support Coaches
Collaboration across services
Academic support often connects with other Red Oak services:
- Psychology: Offers assessments that identify learning needs.
- Occupational therapy: Supports motor, sensory, or regulation skills that affect schoolwork.
- Executive function coaching: Strengthens organization, planning, and task-starting.
- Educational consulting: Helps families work with schools and find the right supports.
Together, our team helps students grow in every area of learning and life.
