About Peak Education & Consulting

The Peak Process for Students

A well-rounded, unique, and effective education is imperative for all young people in our ever-changing and interconnected world. Many students with vast educational opportunities often squander them or take them for granted, while other students simply do not have access to a high quality education. Our brightest students often fall between the cracks because their perspectives are confined or they are not sufficiently challenged. Conversely, there are students with distinctive needs that are not met through conventional educational systems. Peak’s diverse student services provide the necessary tools and support to broaden students’ perspectives and help them perform at their potential. Peak guides students to set and achieve goals, become life-long independent learners, connect with other cultures in a meaningful way and learn through service to be global citizens.

The Peak Process

Assessment/Research: In this stage Peak, client and student will explore the student’s academic background, experiences, and abilities. The assessment may also involve an analysis of school, social, and family dynamics. This analysis may reveal that the student does not fit in their current situation, and a change is necessary. More often, however, whether there is a good fit or not, this stage helps to broaden perspectives and identify areas in which the student must focus both personally and academically. Peak, client and student utilize various research methods during the assessment phase. This may include comprehensive cognitive evaluation, research related to academic options, the organization or system in which the student is currently working, educational philosophy, and content. This phase will also include an exploration into the student’s strengths, weaknesses and cognitive abilities by interviews and other various research methods.

Strategy: In this stage, the Peak-client-student relationship discusses which approaches, models, or tactics will be most effective for the situation at hand. This discussion takes into account the depth of intervention necessary by focusing on the following questions:

1. What is the problem at hand, and what depth of interaction is required to promote an enduring solution for this problem, at this time, for this particular student?
2. What energy and resources are currently committed to solving this problem and implementing change?
3. How accessible is the necessary data on a personal level or an academic level, with regards to the problem at hand and the ability to change?

The strategies developed for students are focused less on the problem at hand, and more on personal and academic choices. The services offered to students are positive in nature, highlighting ways in which the student may increase motivation and effectiveness, while avoiding perceived personal or systemic obstacles.

Action Plan: This stage deals with the practical implementation of the desired strategies. In this stage, the Peak-client-student relationship determines tasks, timelines, necessary resources (human, financial, technological), communication processes, deliverables, and desired outcomes. The Peak Process model insists that the consultant work with the client-student, not for the client-student, and vice versa. In this practical stage, the relationship can often be jeopardized. Clear recognition of responsibility for certain tasks, maintaining clear and constant communication, and ensuring distinct agreement and support of desired outcomes from all parties is a must. It is vital that the Peak-client-student relationship maintain flexibility. Revision is many times necessary, and all parties should recognize the importance of being able to do so.

Evaluation: Clear action plans will include specific timelines and desired outcomes. When the work of the action plan is complete, the Peak-client-student relationship evaluates the results and effectiveness of the process. Peak-client-student will have determined evaluative processes during the strategy phase, and will employ them at the completion of the action plan. The effectiveness of the process as determined by the evaluation inspires the student to strive for excellence in their personal and academic mission.