2025-2026 Academic Coach Fee

What is the Academic Coaching Fee

The VSSA Academic Coaching Fee is paid by all students and covers the salaries of the five full time Academic Coaches who work in the school alongside teachers providing additional support and opportunities for students at VSSA.

25/26 Academic Coaching Fee:

Middle School Students (6th- 8th)- $1,000

Upper School Students (9th- 12th)- $1,200



How can my student utilize the Academic Coaches?

A common misconception is that all students will be assigned a specific Academic Coach or have regular 1-1 meetings with an AC. With a ratio of five ACs to over 250 students, that is simply not possible. However, Academic Coaches are thoughtfully assigned throughout the school setting with a variety of roles aimed at supporting the success of all students. Below are some examples of the roles they serve and how your student may benefit from their presence at VSSA.

• Pushing into classes- Academic Coaches are assigned to classes that will benefit from having an additional adult available to support students. ACs are often utilized to support classroom management, help guide students, and pull small groups to review missed content. Math classes, courses with especially challenging content, and sections with a large number of students are typically prioritized for this support.
• Conducting Academic Study Halls- All high school students are assigned at least one Study Hall as part of their regular schedule. These study halls are conducted and supported by Academic Coaches. This gives high school students the opportunity to work directly with ACs and takes Study Hall off of teacher’s plates. This allows the school to offer a wider variety of courses despite its small student population.
• Teaching Electives and WIN- VSSA provides electives for High School students in the fall and WIN (What I Need) for 6th and 7th graders year round. Based on their skill sets, Academic Coaches are assigned to teach one or both of these offerings. Utilizing ACs allows for a larger variety of electives as well as smaller targeted groups for WIN.

Meet Your Academic Coaches:

RJ Meyer has a Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning and is returning for his third year as an Academic Coach. He brings high energy, a positive mindset, and passion to work each day. He is well known for his ability to build rapport with and motivate students. RJ is confident in supporting all middle school subject areas and is a fan favorite of our 6th- 8th graders.

Ryan Higgins has a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a Master's degree in Recreation and Sports Science with a focus in Coaching. He is also returning for his third year as an Academic Coach. Ryan is level headed and reliable no matter how chaotic the situation is. He holds firm expectations for students while building trust and is always quick to jump in when help is needed. Ryan works primarily with high school students and is confident in supporting all Language Arts and Social Studies courses.

Jacob Zionts has a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and has completed the Mountain BOCES Alternative Teaching License program. Jacob has worked as a long term substitute at VSSA for the past three years and during that time he has taken on teaching his own courses. Jacob consistently seeks and integrates feedback into his professional practices and believes in high accountability for students balanced by relationship building. He is confident in supporting Science at all levels and Math through Algebra 2.

Judi Doss has a Bachelor's degree in Education and 14 years of experience teaching Elementary and Middle School Math. Last year she worked as a Substitute Teacher for ECSD and was well loved by students across schools. She highly values planning, structure, and reflective practices in the classroom. If a student doesn't understand a concept the first time, she will keep trying until she finds a strategy that works. She is comfortable supporting Math through Algebra 2, as well as Science and Social Studies.

Trace Jablin has a Bachelor's degree in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and a Master's degree in Integrative Physiology. Most recently, Trace has worked as a Youth Support Specialist and Outreach Coordinator for a youth shelter and has experience working with individuals from preschool through college across many different settings. Trace’s teaching style is a balance of relationship building and consistent accountability. He is comfortable supporting all higher level Math and Science classes, including Calculus.