Many parents find themselves in a familiar situation: they have a smart, curious child, whose grades are not reflective of their intelligence or academic ability. Often, this disconnect can be explained by weaknesses in their student’s executive function–the mental control system that helps people manage attention, behavior, memory, and time. [...]
Despite industry's best efforts, AI cannot replace human interaction. Imagine a student who has spent months struggling with algebra, consistently feeling lost, frustrated, and discouraged by each new lesson. Now envision that same student after a series of dedicated, personalized tutoring sessions. Suddenly, challenging concepts click into place, [...]
Ask a student their least favorite subject, and you’ll often hear, “I hate math.” Ask them why, and they’ll say, “because I suck at math.” Really, their reasoning makes sense: how many of the things that you’re bad at are among your favorite activities? As it turns out, a distaste [...]
The private school deposit is due in three weeks, and your zoned elementary just cycled through another principal. You're sitting at your kitchen table with cold coffee and a tuition spreadsheet, stuck somewhere deciding between the Katy Freeway traffic you'd face every morning and the $18,000 annual bill you're not [...]
While the summer period is a great time for high school students to relax and recharge, it is also a fantastic opportunity for enrichment — especially when it comes to strengthening college applications. Students can use the break to pursue hobbies and interests they don't have time for during [...]
What is Houston ISD's Vanguard Gifted & Talented (G/T) Program? Approximately 14% of students enrolled in Houston ISD (HISD) are designated as Gifted and Talented (G/T). These students who demonstrate "high performance capability" receive additional state funding that aims to enrich their curriculum. This article takes a deep dive into [...]
Executive functions are the suite of cognitive abilities that allows students to plan, focus, manage tasks, and regulate behaviors. Developing these skills is necessary for both academic success and lifelong adaptability. Parents seeking effective support strategies for their students should fully understand how these skills can evolve and enhance their [...]
Whether you are planning out your timetable for extracurricular activities or your preparations for the ISEE, SAT, ACT, or AP exams, please keep the following dates in mind. 2025 August 12 – First Day of School September 1 – Labor Day October 3-4 – Fall Holiday November 24-28 [...]
What Does a Private Tutor Do? Private tutors benefit all students across the academic spectrum, whether they are a straight-A student or struggle to earn Cs or Bs. Regardless of standing, private tutors help students get ahead, remediate weaknesses, and maintain academic strengths: Getting ahead [...]
At General Academic we're constantly aware of and alerting parents to Houston's major academic dates and deadlines like the ones below. This article is about a previous year. Click here for the 2025-2026 Houston Academic Calendar. 2024 August 12 – First Day of School September 2 – Labor [...]