FAQ
Our FAQ section is designed to help you understand how The Center for Lifelong Learning can meet your needs, providing detailed answers about our services, sign-up process, package purchases, session rescheduling, and coach availability.
What is The Center for Lifelong Learning?
The Center for Lifelong Learning (“The Center”) advances the academic performance of all learners in grades 5 – 12 by building confident and successful learners. We work to develop students not just to master subject specific content but with skills for a lifetime of learning. The Center offers diagnostic tools, individualized learning plans, and learning sessions with qualified Academic Coaches to assist in achieving a learner’s maximum potential. We offer ACT and SAT college exam preparation courses or one-on-one test-prep sessions. We counsel individuals on college essay writing.
The Center is located on Wheaton Academy’s campus but students in a home school program or attending another area school are welcome! We have evening and Saturday hours available and can meet virtually.
How is using The Center different than my Wheaton Academy student seeking help from a teacher before or after school?
Wheaton Academy students are encouraged to seek assistance and meet with their teachers for help in a subject. The Center allows a student with different learning needs to work with the same Academic Coach on customized learning plans over a longer period of time or across multiple subjects. Some students benefit from extended time on a specific skill or subject or when working with one Academic Coach across multiple subjects. Our coaches can also more directly incorporate specific executive functioning skill development into sessions.
The Center is an additional resource to both Wheaton Academy and non-Wheaton Academy students from middle school to adults looking to advance their academic performance. Academic Coaches have access to diagnostic tools that allows more mid- and long-term academic performance planning and goal setting to be established based on the individual student needs.
What is the difference between a Wheaton Academy study hall or study lab and Unlimited Access to The Center?
Included in Wheaton Academy tuition, students may schedule a Study Hall or Study Lab.
Study hall is simply a time built into the student’s schedule where they can study or work independently. It is useful for students who need a more dedicated time and space for studying or working on homework especially if they are involved in co-curricular activities and need more time to finish their schoolwork.
Study lab is a structured study hall for students who are recommended by administration as needing additional educational support. Students are required to attend the study lab each day to receive credit. The study lab teacher has weekly individualized meetings to foster goal setting and student-advocacy. (See WA Curriculum Guide for more information).
At an additional cost, The Center offers “unlimited access” packages for students who want to improve their academic performance and require an extra layer of one-on-one support and accountability. Students will first be tested using the Center’s academic progress testing and planning services.
An Academic Coach will then review the results with the student and parent(s)/guardian(s) and map a path for improving academic performance and achieving the student’s individual goals. Student that are registered for study hall or study lab can leave their study hall or study lab to come meet with full-time Learning Engineers during those periods. Students with unlimited access can visit the Center and work with a Learning Engineer before school, during lunch, or after school for assistance as well. These Learning Engineers will not only help the students with their specific subjects but can also help them with building executive functioning and learning skills. Executive functioning skills include response inhibition, working memory, emotional control, sustained attention, task initiation, planning/prioritization, organization, time management, goal-directed persistence, flexibility, system thinking, study skills, and homework prioritization.
What does The Center offer?
Student Success Coaching
Student Success Coaching focuses on Executive Functioning. These skills include task initiation and follow through, planning/organization, working memory, performance monitoring, inhibition of impulses, and self-regulation, for example. Pro-rated pricing is available for students who sign up after the semester has started.
Individual Learning Sessions
One-on-one learning sessions with qualified subject matter experts are available during study halls, after school, in the evening, and on Saturdays. Requires scheduling in advance. Virtual learning sessions are available.
Individual ACT/SAT Prep Learning Sessions and Group Classes
Test prep is customized to individual needs and done one-on-one with a trained ACT/SAT prep coach. Students will learn practical strategies, practice common testing areas, and work on weaker skills to help them increase their score.
Small Group ACT/SAT Test Prep
Classes are offered throughout the academic year and summer to help students prepare for the ACT or SAT exams. Small class sizes allow for individualized support. Visit our ACT/SAT webpage to see when the next classes are available.
TrekAI
TrekAI is an online academic AI tool designed to support students without creating lazy learners. It is built with a Biblically based curriculum and is programmed to answer with a Socratic style of engagement. To learn more about the unique features, our hands-on workshop led by Dr. Terry Huttenlock, and its differences from other AI platforms, visit the TrekAI page.
What subjects do your Academic Coaches cover?
The Center for Lifelong Learning has Academic Coaches in almost all subject areas including English/Writing, Geometry, Algebra I and II, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, AP Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Spanish, and French. Students can meet one-on-one with an Academic Coach to help them in a specific subject by signing up for an Individual Learning Session. We also offer assistance with executive functioning skills, homework challenges, test/quiz preparation, AP Test preparation, organization/study skills, and college essay writing, and ESL support.
The Center for Lifelong Learning is located on Wheaton Academy’s campus. All learners are invited on to the campus for their sessions. Virtual sessions are also available, if preferred.
How do I sign up?
- Go to our website – www.thecenterforlifelonglearning.org
- Click on the “Book Now” button
- If you’re a new student, you’ll need be prompted to fill out our intake form before you’re directed to our scheduling platform.
- In our scheduling platform, find the type of session or class you are interested in
- If an individual session, select a Academic Coach
- Pick an available date (bold) from the calendar
- Select a time from the dropdown
- Click continue
- Fill out the form
- Click to pay
- Expect a confirmation email
- If you are purchasing a package of ten sessions, you will be given a coupon code to use when scheduling your future sessions
How do I reschedule or cancel an appointment?
Rescheduling Policy
We understand that scheduling conflicts may arise, and we strive to accommodate changes when possible. If you need to reschedule your appointment, you may do so at least 12 hours before your scheduled session by clicking the “Reschedule Appointment” link in your email confirmation. There is no fee for rescheduling with at least 12 hours’ notice. If you need to reschedule within 12 hours of your session, please contact thecenter@wheatonacademy.org as soon as possible. Appointments that are not canceled or rescheduled at least 12 hours in advance will be considered a “no show”, and you will be charged the full session amount.
Cancellation Policy
To respect the valuable time of our Academic Coaching team, we enforce a Late Cancellation Policy. You may cancel your appointment at least 12 hours before the scheduled start time without penalty. However, if you cancel an appointment less than 12 hours before the scheduled start time, you will be charged the full amount of the session. To cancel or reschedule in advance, please use the “Reschedule Appointment” link in your email confirmation.
Refund Policy
If you require a refund for any portion or all of the amount paid by credit card, a 3% processing fee will be deducted. Refunds are not available for missed appointments or cancellations made within 12 hours of the scheduled session.
For any questions regarding rescheduling, cancellations, or refunds, please contact us at thecenter@wheatonacademy.org
What is an individual Academic Coach's availability?
The Center for Lifelong Learning is open 5 days a week (8 am – 5 pm) (Monday through Friday). By appointment only on Saturdays. We are not open or available on Sunday. The individual Academic Coaches’ hours vary. Their availability is listed in the Scheduling system, you will be able to view their availability when you look to schedule an appointment.
Why do we have an AI program?
The Center for Lifelong Learning desires to empower student learning through expert coaching on how to best utilize technology tools that can enhance individual learning. We want to embrace the use of technology that develops students who can engage the world thoughtfully. We want to equip students to lead with confidence, knowledge, and integrity in a rapidly evolving world driven by a technological revolution.
At the same time, computer software cannot be a substitute for teachers who structure exercises that best engage students to learn. Teachers in a classroom will always be better equipped to determine how technology should be used in meeting learning objectives. While we continue to develop these and other tools, we defer to the teachers on how and if the tools should be used in their classroom.
We stress also that nothing can replace the richness of human relationships, mentorship, or interaction. Mark 12 tells us to love God and to love others.
As we introduce TrekAI into the Center, our focus remains on helping students succeed academically, spiritually, and personally. We will do this through thoughtful in-person guidance on the responsible use of this technology. TrekAI is a tool—a means of streamlining certain aspects of learning to free students to supplement or enhance their learning and to focus on meaningful interactions with their teachers and classmates.
TrekAI is more than a digital learning tool—it is a trusted virtual academic coach built by people with a Biblical worldview that supports our mission of cultivating lifelong learners that are Christ-followers. Through personalized guidance, data-driven insights, and hands-on workshops, TrekAI empowers students to engage with evolving technology in a way that aligns with Biblical truth and fosters responsible learning. We believe this innovative platform offers a path to uphold teaching values and learning philosophy while preparing students to navigate the future with confidence, integrity, and purpose.