Executive Function Support for Biology Students: Taking Students From Struggling to Succeeding

Many high school biology students struggle not with the content, but with planning, organization, and studying effectively. Learn how executive function support can help students succeed without adding extra work for teachers.

Biology is one of the most demanding classes for high school freshmen. The content is complex, the pace moves quickly, and success requires more than just understanding the material; it requires strong study habits, organization, and planning.

Because of that, many capable students struggle to keep up.

It’s not because they can’t understand cell processes or genetics but because they don’t yet have the robust executive functioning skills needed to learn effectively. Assignments get lost, notes are disorganized, studying becomes rereading instead of active practice, and tests don’t reflect what students actually know.

Sound familiar? Well, you’re not alone. We’ve partnered with different schools across the country to promote executive functioning skills in their classroom with a specific focus on organization, time management, and study skills. 

How we work with biology teachers

We know that for teachers, it can be frustrating to watch your lessons be forgotten by the next class period. You’ve built thoughtful lessons, designed labs that bring concepts to life, and created assessments that measure real understanding – yet some students still fall behind.

What many of these students need isn’t more content. They need support with the skills that make learning possible: planning, organization, effective study strategies, and retrieval practice, because when executive function breaks down, students struggle to show what they know.

Instead of adding new curriculum or extra assignments, we partner with teachers to support students using the lessons they’re already using in class. 

In small groups and 1:1 sessions, we help teachers embed executive function strategies directly to their existing lessons so that students can stay on track, retain what they’re learning, and show what they know. 

Chunking

• We work with teachers to break their larger projects into smaller, more manageable pieces for every student in their classroom. 
• We build organizers for notes, class lessons, and activities that break down large concepts into manageable chunks of information that can be used later as a study tool. 

Retrieval Practice

• We collaborate on warm up and exit ticket activities to embed retrieval practice to promote working memory skills. 
• We design study guides that promote retention of information rather than just memorization. 

Time Management

• We map out planning and time management practices that can be used in the classroom and replicated at home for any homework or incompleted assignments. 

After we’ve embedded these practices, by the end of the semester teachers are telling us that they’re seeing what they’ve wanted all along: students who feel calmer, more prepared, and more capable of succeeding in biology.

Here’s what teachers are saying: 

Many of the teachers we work with say the biggest change they see is students becoming more independent and prepared.

We know first hand that biology is a complex subject and many students need support with the learning process, not just the content.

Our work is designed to complement what teachers are already doing while building the executive function skills needed to manage assignments, study effectively, and retain key concepts.

We partner with teachers to make sure students are supported without adding more work to your plate.

If you’re curious about how this works or have students who might benefit, we’d love to connect.

Start a conversation with us and learn how we can support your classroom.