At Edge High School, we believe students thrive when they feel seen, heard, supported, and connected to caring adults. This quarter, Edge launched its first-ever Success Coaching Pilot Program — an initiative designed to help students build confidence, develop goals, and strengthen the skills needed for success both in and beyond high school.
The results of the pilot have been deeply encouraging.
What Is Success Coaching?
Earlier this year, Edge recruited and trained a cohort of volunteer Success Coaches. After training was completed, students across our campuses were invited to learn more about coaching and volunteer to participate.
Eight students ultimately joined the pilot and were paired one-on-one with a coach. Throughout the quarter, students met individually with their Success Coach at school a minimum of five times.
While coaching may sound similar to mentoring, there is an important distinction.
Mentors often share advice based on their own experiences and perspectives. Coaching, however, is intentionally inquiry-based. Rather than telling students what to do, Success Coaches use thoughtful questions to help students reflect, problem solve, clarify goals, and arrive at their own solutions.
The process empowers students to build self-awareness, confidence, accountability, and decision-making skills that can carry into every area of life.
Listening to Student Voice
At the conclusion of the pilot, participating students completed an anonymous survey sharing feedback about their experience. Student responses highlighted just how meaningful consistent support and intentional conversation can be.
One student shared:
“It helped me think about things differently and actually come up with my own solutions instead of someone just telling me what to do.”
Another wrote:
“I liked having someone check in on me every week. It made me feel like someone cared about how I was doing.”
A third student reflected:
“The coaching sessions helped me stay focused on my goals and gave me motivation to keep going.”
Students consistently reported that coaching helped them:
Feel more supported at school
Improve motivation and accountability
Build confidence in themselves
Think more intentionally about goals and future plans
Develop strategies for managing challenges
For many students, the simple act of having a trusted adult consistently listening and asking meaningful questions created space for growth and reflection that they had not previously experienced.
Looking Ahead
Because of the success of this initial pilot, Edge plans to continue — and significantly expand — Success Coaching during the upcoming school year.
Our goal is to grow the program from 8 students to 40 students across both Edge campuses this fall. To make that possible, Edge will begin recruiting and training a new cohort of volunteer Success Coaches in the months ahead.
We are incredibly grateful to the volunteer coaches who stepped forward to invest their time, energy, and encouragement into the lives of Edge students this quarter. Their willingness to build authentic relationships made this pilot possible.
We are equally proud of the students who chose to participate and helped shape the future of the program through their honesty, engagement, and feedback.
Interested in Becoming a Success Coach?
Edge is currently seeking caring adults who are interested in supporting high school students through inquiry-based coaching conversations.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Success Coach, please contact Rob Pecharich, Executive Director at Edge High School, at [email protected] .
Experience the Edge Difference
At Edge, personalized support is not an extra — it is part of who we are. From flexible learning opportunities and small school environments to access to social workers, to innovative programs like Success Coaching, Edge is committed to helping students feel connected, capable, and successful.
If you want access to 1-on-1 Success Coaching and want to enroll at Edge you can do so here.