Meet Your Student Success Coach
Your kid's personal coach, accountability partner, and biggest fan
What's an SSC?
Every ISP student is assigned a Student Success Coach (SSC) — a dedicated person who knows your child, tracks their progress, and keeps them on track.
Think of it like having a personal coach for school.
The 1:100 Ratio
Each SSC works with 100 students maximum. That's it.
| Traditional School | ISP |
|---|---|
| 1 counselor : 500+ students | 1 SSC : 100 students |
| Counselor sees your kid once a year | SSC connects weekly |
| "Who is this student again?" | "How was Jake's tournament last weekend?" |
Your child isn't a number. Your SSC knows them.
What Your SSC Does
Weekly Check-Ins
Every week, your SSC connects with your student to:
- Review academic progress ("You're crushing math — let's talk about that science dip")
- Check MyPath streaks and missions
- Talk through challenges (training, time management, motivation)
- Celebrate wins
These aren't scripted calls. They're real conversations with someone who cares.
Progress Monitoring
Your SSC watches the dashboard so you don't have to:
- Academic completion rates
- MyPath OVR trends
- Streak status
- Areas of struggle
If something's off, they reach out before it becomes a problem.
Parent Communication
You'll hear from your SSC:
- Weekly summary emails
- Alerts if your child falls behind
- Updates after check-ins
- Answers to your questions
No more wondering how school is going. Your SSC keeps you informed.
Intervention When Needed
If your student struggles, your SSC:
- Identifies the issue (academic? motivation? personal?)
- Adjusts the approach
- Loops in a Learning Coach if extra academic support is needed
- Keeps you updated
Problems get caught early and addressed fast.
Your Pod: Built-In Friends from Day 1
Every ISP student is assigned to a pod — a small group of 4-5 students who share the journey together.
How Pods Work
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | 4-6 students |
| Same grade | Yes — similar life stage |
| Same sport | No — different sports, no competition |
| Same city | No — statewide connections |
| Weekly call | 30 min with SSC and podmates |
| Monthly 1:1 | Private check-in with just your SSC |
Why Pods?
Your kid isn't just getting a coach — they're getting a crew.
- Day 1 friends — No isolation, instant community
- Peer accountability — "The pod is doing the Gable Challenge together"
- Safe space — Different sports/cities means no pressure to compete
- Shared experience — "These people get what I'm going through"
- Can't hide — In online school, it's easy to ghost. In a pod, peers notice when you're missing or falling behind. That's healthy transparency.
Pod Names
Pods name themselves — but the name has to be a person (usually from our persona library). Examples:
- "The Gables" (after Dan Gable)
- "Summitt Squad" (after Pat Summitt)
- "Wooden's Winners" (after John Wooden)
Can My Kid Switch Pods?
Yes. If the fit isn't right, your SSC can move them to a different pod. The goal is finding the right crew.
Who Are the SSCs?
Our SSCs are former athletes themselves. They've lived the student-athlete life.
| Requirement | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Played college sports | They understand the demands |
| Recently graduated | They're relatable, not out of touch |
| Passionate about mentorship | They chose this career to help kids |
| Trained by ISP | They know the curriculum, the app, the process |
When your SSC says "I know what it's like to juggle practice and homework," they mean it.
First Names, Not Formality
Your kid will call their SSC by their first name — "Sarah," not "Ms. Johnson."
Why? Because SSCs are coaches and mentors, not authority figures. The relationship works because of trust, not hierarchy. (Don't worry — they're still professionals with boundaries.)
Your SSC Stays With You
Your SSC doesn't change every year. They stay with your student across multiple years.
| Traditional School | ISP |
|---|---|
| New counselor every year | Same SSC for years |
| "Nice to meet you" in September | "Ready for 10th grade? Let's talk about that recruiting timeline." |
| Trust resets annually | Trust compounds over time |
Why this matters:
- Your SSC knows your kid's full history — not just this semester
- No re-explaining family situations, goals, or struggles
- Deeper relationship = better support
- SSC can track long-term growth, not just short-term metrics
Can We Switch?
Yes. Either you or the SSC can request a change anytime — no hard feelings. The relationship should work for both sides.
Choosing Your SSC
You choose your SSC. This isn't an assignment — it's your decision.
During enrollment, you'll browse SSC profiles and consider:
- Sport — SSCs from similar sports understand your training demands
- Personality — Some kids need tough love, others need gentle encouragement
- Location — SSCs in your region know local training facilities and tournaments
- Availability — Check-in times that work for your schedule
You'll meet potential SSCs, have conversations, and pick the one that feels right. If your first choice is full (100 students max), you'll choose from available SSCs.
"If You Want to Lock Me In..."
Here's how enrollment works:
- You meet your SSC during the enrollment process
- You connect — they learn about your student, answer your questions
- If it's a fit, you pay a $100 deposit to confirm your spot with that specific SSC
The deposit says: "I want YOU as my kid's coach."
- $75 of the deposit becomes Training Credits your student can use
- $25 goes to the 100 for 100 donation fund (athlete-funded academic prizes)
SSC spots are limited. Once an SSC is full (100 students), they're full.
How to Reach Your SSC
Once enrolled, you'll have:
- Direct text/message with your SSC
- Scheduled weekly check-in times
- Email for longer questions
- Parent dashboard showing all communication history
Response time: Within 24 hours (usually much faster).
FAQ
Q: Can I request a specific SSC?
A: Yes, during enrollment. We'll do our best to accommodate, but popular SSCs fill up fast.
Q: What if my SSC isn't the right fit?
A: Let us know. You can switch to a different SSC. The relationship matters — we want it to work.
Q: Does my child HAVE to do the weekly check-ins?
A: Yes, it's part of the ISP model. But "check-in" doesn't mean boring — it's a real conversation with someone who cares about their success.
Q: Can I be on the calls?
A: Parents can join occasionally, but we encourage student independence. You'll get a summary after each call.
Q: What's the difference between an SSC and a Learning Coach?
A: SSCs are the primary relationship — accountability, motivation, progress tracking. Learning Coaches are Iowa-licensed teachers who provide academic intervention when students need extra help with specific subjects.
Q: What's a pod?
A: A small group of 4-6 students assigned to your SSC. Weekly pod calls replace some 1:1s — your kid gets peer support plus SSC guidance. Pods are matched by grade but different sports/cities so there's no competition.
Q: Can my kid be friends with people outside their pod?
A: Of course! Pods are just the built-in community. They'll meet other ISP students at events, in challenges, and through the app.