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Welcome to Innovative Education Partners! Personalized Pathways, Strategic Guidance—College & Beyond I’m Erin Gordon Grady, founder of Innovative Education Partners. If you’re here, chances are you're looking for meaningful support—someone who understands how to guide your student through high school, the college admissions process, and the many decisions along the way. You're not alone—and you're in the right place. With over 25 years of experience in education—and as a parent who has been through this journey—I know how overwhelming it can feel. The pressure, the choices, the uncertainty… it’s a lot. My role is to simplify the process and bring calm, clarity, and confidence to your family’s experience. At the heart of my work is this: every student’s path is different. I offer personalized pathways tailored to who your student is, where they’re coming from, and what they hope to achieve. That might mean creating a thoughtful college list, mapping out high school coursework, planning meaningful extracurriculars, brainstorming compelling essays, or exploring possible majors and careers. Whatever the need, I provide strategic guidance every step of the way. I work with students across a range of interests—athletes, creatives, future scientists, entrepreneurs, and those still figuring it out—and I help them discover not just where they want to go, but who they are becoming along the way. The college journey doesn’t have to be a source of stress. With the right support, it becomes an exciting opportunity for growth, reflection, and discovery. I’m glad you’re here—and I look forward to walking this path with you. ~ Erin Gordon Grady, Founder Innovative Education Partners |
WHY INNOVATIVE EDUCATION PARTNERS
Less Stress for Parents and Students
College admissions is more complicated and competitive than ever. We all wish this process were less stressful than it is. Still, the fact is that there are more applications than ever to colleges, better qualified applicants, and a feeling of uncertainty about the entire process. It is also a challenging time developmentally in a young person’s life, compounded with applying to colleges and thinking about the future. We approach the process one step at a time, bit by bit. Knowledge of the nuances of and experience with college admissions and our proprietary tools ease stress for students and families, allowing for more enjoyment of the high school years together. A college counselor is a welcome resource for students and families. Our ongoing communication and digital college counseling platform help connect you as a parent to the process.
Insider Expertise with an Unbiased, Outside Perspective
With a proven track record and an extensive knowledge base, we bring a deep understanding of distinct college admissions requirements, up-to-date industry awareness, and a nationwide professional network. We offer access to invaluable resources, including specialty programs, summer offerings, enrichment activities, and more. Our outside perspective and expertise sets us apart, ensuring that students receive guidance and truly "listen" to it, which sometimes doesn't happen with their own parents. We objectively assess unique aptitudes and interests, skillfully highlighting potential majors and colleges. As your dedicated counselor, motivator, and guide, I aim to empower students to accomplish their educational goals.
Quality Connection and Individualized Attention
Successful admission begins with the counselor-student relationship, through in-depth learning about your student, then working to find the college that provides the best educational, social, professional, and personal growth environment. I spend hours with your student and family getting to the heart of personality, interests, abilities, qualifications, and aspirations. I provide personalized guidance on coursework, activities, test preparation, internships, applications, essays, and more. Focused time and attention with each student and flexible scheduling allow us to work collaboratively to find colleges that are the right fit. Each student has a customized timeline and action plan to motivate students to succeed. It’s not only about being accepted – more importantly, it’s about thriving at the college that is the right fit.
Life Skills Development
Through our work together, students will learn and develop many essential life skills to enable them to fly from the nest and transition more smoothly to meet the expectations of college and living away from home. Their opportunity to learn adulting skills and build executive functioning abilities is ongoing through accountability, goal setting, time management, and meeting agreed upon deadlines. Together, we set and manage expectations, turn disappointments into opportunities, and develop students’ confidence to know and reflect on their own values and strengths.
The Power of Teamwork
As part of TRIO, a unique college counseling collaborative, our students benefit from access to the additional expertise of Kathryn Crosby, also based in Southern California, and Ann Bartron Morris in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our complementary skill sets and experience provide the most full-bodied advice to our clients. Consultation and collective efforts behind the scenes produce optimal results for your student. We have extensive, first-hand knowledge of colleges and graduate schools, big and small, around the country. This personal insight gives your family a much deeper understanding than any catalog or website can convey. Because we are familiar with many institutions, we can present applicants with a much more comprehensive selection of possibilities and help weigh the many factors that go into considering a college.
College admissions is more complicated and competitive than ever. We all wish this process were less stressful than it is. Still, the fact is that there are more applications than ever to colleges, better qualified applicants, and a feeling of uncertainty about the entire process. It is also a challenging time developmentally in a young person’s life, compounded with applying to colleges and thinking about the future. We approach the process one step at a time, bit by bit. Knowledge of the nuances of and experience with college admissions and our proprietary tools ease stress for students and families, allowing for more enjoyment of the high school years together. A college counselor is a welcome resource for students and families. Our ongoing communication and digital college counseling platform help connect you as a parent to the process.
Insider Expertise with an Unbiased, Outside Perspective
With a proven track record and an extensive knowledge base, we bring a deep understanding of distinct college admissions requirements, up-to-date industry awareness, and a nationwide professional network. We offer access to invaluable resources, including specialty programs, summer offerings, enrichment activities, and more. Our outside perspective and expertise sets us apart, ensuring that students receive guidance and truly "listen" to it, which sometimes doesn't happen with their own parents. We objectively assess unique aptitudes and interests, skillfully highlighting potential majors and colleges. As your dedicated counselor, motivator, and guide, I aim to empower students to accomplish their educational goals.
Quality Connection and Individualized Attention
Successful admission begins with the counselor-student relationship, through in-depth learning about your student, then working to find the college that provides the best educational, social, professional, and personal growth environment. I spend hours with your student and family getting to the heart of personality, interests, abilities, qualifications, and aspirations. I provide personalized guidance on coursework, activities, test preparation, internships, applications, essays, and more. Focused time and attention with each student and flexible scheduling allow us to work collaboratively to find colleges that are the right fit. Each student has a customized timeline and action plan to motivate students to succeed. It’s not only about being accepted – more importantly, it’s about thriving at the college that is the right fit.
Life Skills Development
Through our work together, students will learn and develop many essential life skills to enable them to fly from the nest and transition more smoothly to meet the expectations of college and living away from home. Their opportunity to learn adulting skills and build executive functioning abilities is ongoing through accountability, goal setting, time management, and meeting agreed upon deadlines. Together, we set and manage expectations, turn disappointments into opportunities, and develop students’ confidence to know and reflect on their own values and strengths.
The Power of Teamwork
As part of TRIO, a unique college counseling collaborative, our students benefit from access to the additional expertise of Kathryn Crosby, also based in Southern California, and Ann Bartron Morris in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our complementary skill sets and experience provide the most full-bodied advice to our clients. Consultation and collective efforts behind the scenes produce optimal results for your student. We have extensive, first-hand knowledge of colleges and graduate schools, big and small, around the country. This personal insight gives your family a much deeper understanding than any catalog or website can convey. Because we are familiar with many institutions, we can present applicants with a much more comprehensive selection of possibilities and help weigh the many factors that go into considering a college.
THE COLLEGE ADVISING PROCESS
Planning for college is a crucial step in ensuring a successful academic journey. Imagine embarking on a vacation with no reservations or plans – the excitement might be there, but so would the stress and uncertainty. Looking ahead to college requires careful preparation while still living in the moment and having fun. Rather than reacting to missed opportunities in hindsight, we specialize in developing a strategic college plan that optimizes the high school experience.
Our comprehensive counseling services cater to students from middle school through 12th grade as well as college transfer students.
Our comprehensive counseling services cater to students from middle school through 12th grade as well as college transfer students.
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For middle school students, we lay the foundation by guiding their early academic path. By learning about their interests, goals, and aptitudes, we can make tailored suggestions, including class choices in freshman year and projected curricular pathways. We also recommend co-curricular activities, school clubs, and volunteer opportunities to pursue. This proactive approach encourages students to contemplate the purpose of their educational journey while "living" their college application.
As high school students enter their teenage years, it is expected not to have discovered their interests, passions, and talents or set long-term goals. Freshman year is a time for exploration while also planning ahead. Innovation Education Partners is well-versed in the intricacies of the college application process and knows the right questions to ask to get students thinking about their path. We help them draft a well-informed roadmap for the exciting four years ahead. With a well-drafted college plan, sophomore year becomes an excellent time for self-discovery and staying on track academically. We use a nationally recognized assessment to analyze students' personalities, interests, and aptitudes. These insights are applied to help students build their resumes and explore potential careers and college majors. Junior year marks the moment to develop and finalize college lists. Many students are unaware of the specialized programs, schools, and unique opportunities available to them. With our professional resources and in-depth knowledge, we offer insightful suggestions while providing honest feedback on college choices. By the end of the year, students will have a thoroughly vetted, personalized college list. A well-prepared senior is brimming with hopeful confidence. We assist students in navigating admissions websites, essay writing, and applications by creating an organized timeline with due dates. By working closely with students to prepare all elements of their applications, we eliminate last-minute application stress. In the spring, we celebrate each student's college acceptances and their excitement for the future. Your college journey is a meticulously planned adventure, and we're here to guide you every step of the way. Supporting Transfer Students Sometimes the college you choose to attend may not be the best fit or you're transitioning from a 2 year college to a 4 year university. Deciding to transfer is an opportunity to reevaluate what you truly want and need in your educational journey. We guide transfer students through the process of identifying new college options that align with their academic, personal, and career aspirations. From evaluating transfer credits to crafting compelling applications and essays that highlight your journey, we provide the tools and support needed to help you take the next step with confidence. Your college path may look different, but it’s still uniquely yours—and we’re here to help you make the most of it. |
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
T E S T I M O N I A L S
Happy People
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[email protected]
310.428.1292 |
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