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Academic Mentorship • College Preparation • Future Planning Academic Mentorship • College Preparation • Future Planning Academic Mentorship • College Preparation • Future Planning Academic Mentorship • College Preparation • Future Planning Academic Mentorship • College Preparation • Future Planning Academic Mentorship • College Preparation • Future Planning

Who I Serve

Ambitious students, supportive families, extraordinary potential.

Vanguard provides personalized 1:1 academic mentorship for high school students, supporting writing, critical thinking, college preparation, and long-term intellectual growth. Our goal is to help students become independent scholars.

Our Mentorship Pathways

Choose Your Level of Support

Tier I

Foundations

$1,200/month

Habits, consistency & academic confidence.

✓Weekly 60-minute 1:1 strategy sessions
✓Personalized academic plan with clear goals
✓Personalized academic direction, including major & career exploration aligned with the student's goals
✓Ongoing mentor support & accountability

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Tier II

Excellence

$2,000/month

Direction-setting, writing & reasoning.

✓Weekly 60-minute 1:1 strategy sessions
✓Writing, critical thinking & subject mastery development
✓Personalized academic & intellectual strategy aligned with the student's long-term goals
✓Long-term academic roadmap with clear priorities and milestones

Best for students who want stronger writing, clearer direction, and a plan for their future.

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Tier IIIMOST COMPREHENSIVE

Fellowship

$5,000/month

Strategic mentorship & application execution

✓Vanguard Research Fellowship: Develop an original humanities research project from question formation through source research, citation & final paper
✓Weekly 75-minute 1:1 strategy sessions
✓Application execution, including essay development, school-list strategy & timeline management
✓Priority scheduling & direct mentor access between sessions
✓White-glove family communication

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Add-On

Composition

$2,000 flat

High-impact college essay development.

✓Concept & narrative strategy
✓Structural development & iterative revision
✓Line-level refinement & final polish
✓Guidance from concept through final submission

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Add-On

Readiness

$2,000 flat

An adaptive SAT/ACT preparation experience that diagnoses where a student is starting, builds a personalized path toward their target score, and continuously adjusts as they improve.

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All packages include parent updates and a customized mentorship roadmap.

How It Works

A Guided Journey

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Discovery Call

We start with a conversation about your student's goals, challenges, and priorities.

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Personalized Plan

We design a customized mentorship plan tailored to their needs and aspirations.

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Ongoing Mentorship

Consistent sessions, expert guidance, and skill-building that creates real progress.

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Progress & Growth

Regular feedback and adjustments to keep your student moving forward.

Founded By

Dylan Joachim

Current Ph.D. student in American Studies

William & MaryTeachers College, Columbia University

Dylan Joachim is the founder of Vanguard and an educator dedicated to helping students develop the skills, confidence, and independence needed to thrive. He earned his M.A. in Anthropology and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. During graduate school, he privately mentored three high-achieving high school freshmen, work he has continued through Teach For America’s Ignite Program.

Long before graduate school, Dylan placed regionally at National History Day, developing an early foundation in the research, writing, and inquiry skills he now helps his scholars develop.

Through his work mentoring these students, Dylan recognized that many talented students were not lacking ability. They lacked the personalized mentorship, structure, and accountability needed to reach their full potential. That belief became the foundation of Vanguard: pairing high expectations with the personalized structure to meet them.

To ensure every scholar receives individualized attention, Dylan personally works with a limited number of families each cohort.

As a graduate student, Dylan distinguished himself as an experienced teacher and leader. He is a gifted presenter who makes complex concepts easy to grasp, an attentive listener who draws others into discussion, and a beautiful writer grounded in thorough fieldwork and reading. He is well on his way to a distinguished career in teaching, research, and publication.

— DR. GREY GUNDAKER, PROFESSOR AT TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

What stood out most while supervising Dylan was how intentionally he built relationships with his students. He is patient, approachable, and supportive, creating an environment where students feel comfortable and encouraged. He provides strong academic guidance while making students feel seen and heard. I recommend him to families seeking a tutor or mentor who genuinely cares and understands students as individuals.

— RAINHA SOARES, LEADER, TEACH FOR AMERICA

FAQ

PARENTS FAQ

What grade levels do you work with?

Vanguard Scholars serves high school students in grades 9 through 12. Whether your student is adjusting to high school, preparing for college admissions, or developing stronger academic habits, mentorship is personalized to meet them where they are and help them grow into an independent scholar.

How often are sessions, and how do they work?

Sessions run weekly, ranging from 60 to 75 minutes depending on the mentorship pathway. Each student receives a personalized plan built around their goals, with consistent check-ins and a mentor who tracks progress over time. This is not one-time tutoring. It is an ongoing mentorship relationship designed to support long-term growth.

Do you offer in-person or virtual sessions?

All Vanguard Scholars mentorship is currently offered virtually, allowing students and families to work together from anywhere while maintaining the same personalized, high-touch experience.

How is Vanguard Scholars different from traditional tutoring?

Traditional tutoring is often reactive, focusing on homework, upcoming tests, or short-term academic challenges. Vanguard Scholars is built around long-term mentorship. We help students strengthen their writing, critical thinking, organization, academic confidence, and independent learning habits. Every scholar follows a personalized roadmap, receives consistent accountability, and develops skills that extend far beyond a single class or semester.

How do I get started?

The process begins with a complimentary Discovery Call. We will discuss your student's goals, challenges, and aspirations, determine whether Vanguard Scholars is the right fit, and recommend the mentorship pathway that best supports their growth. If we decide to move forward together, we will create a personalized mentorship plan and schedule your student's first session.

Students FAQ

How can Vanguard Scholars help me become a stronger student?

Can you help me figure out my future?

Will you help me become a stronger writer and thinker?

Can you help me stand out without being perfect?

What will we work on, and how will I track my progress?

Ready to Begin?

Vanguard Scholars doesn't work with everyone.

I work with students who are ready to commit to their future. Start with a discovery call.

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General inquiries: contact@vanguardscholars.org