At Zenith, we know that students thrive when they have the skills, structure, and support to understand who they are, what they care about, and how to shape the future they want.
The Zenith Essentials Program is a structured, forward-thinking, skills-based experience for students in grades 5–12. Students strengthen academic habits, well-being, leadership, and global awareness.
Through interactive small-group classes, guided independent work, and a transformative UN-aligned capstone project, students build the confidence, clarity, and readiness they need to navigate school, life, and their post-secondary path.
This is not a high-pressure program. It’s not a cram course.
It’s devoted entirely to sustainable student growth, rooted in wellness, curiosity, global responsibility, and skill-building that lasts long after graduation, available to every student ready to thrive!
Students today are navigating a world that is more complex, connected, and competitive than ever before. Families want their children to build strong academic foundations, develop emotional resilience, lead with purpose, and understand the broader world. It is a big task, and families want to equip their students without feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or alone in the process.
That is the space where Zenith Essentials shines.
Built by the same team that has supported thousands of students over nearly two decades, the Essentials Program was created as a standalone powerhouse.
It is a comprehensive, developmentally aligned readiness experience that blends:
Every part of the program is intentionally structured:
Small cohorts, consistent pacing, meaningful interactions, and real-world application.
Students don’t just learn what to do. They learn why it matters, how to apply it, and how to grow from it. Rather than overwhelming students with daily commitments, Essentials provides a consistent rhythm that is steady enough to create meaningful progress, yet flexible enough to fit real students’ lives.
Throughout the program, students build habits, confidence, and clarity through a combination of live small-group classes, optional office hours, independent exercises, and a signature UN-aligned capstone project. Every element has been crafted to reinforce student ownership, self-efficacy, and long-term readiness.
Meaningful growth does not require perfection. Students build consistency one step at a time. Zenith Essentials students learn to shape their futures with active participation, curiosity, and steady effort.
Essentials is designed to meet students where they are, honor who they are becoming, and help them build the skills, self-efficacy, and clarity that will support them for years to come!
This is a space where students build:
By the end of the program, students will have:
What is the Zenith Essentials Program?
The Zenith Essentials Program is a learning experience designed to help students grow in the ways that matter most: academically, personally, socially, and globally. Today’s students navigate a world that is more complex, more interconnected, and more demanding than ever before. Essentials meets this challenge by giving students the structure, clarity, and support they need to develop strong academic habits, cultivate well-being, and build the confidence required for their future.
Built for grades 5 through 12, Essentials blends live instruction, independent skill-building, and a transformative UN-aligned capstone experience. The curriculum is crafted to be developmentally appropriate, scalable across grade levels, and deeply relevant to the realities students face at school and in life.
It is dedicated to strengthening the core skills and mindsets that help students thrive.
Students learn how to manage their time, communicate clearly, take action toward their goals, explore interests with intention, and understand the world around them. They gain the confidence to lead, the resilience to adapt, and the curiosity to think globally.
And because Essentials is designed in small cohorts, students gain peer support, shared accountability, and a learning environment that feels both welcoming and motivating.
Every student deserves devoted to growth. Yet many families are unsure where to begin. They want their child to develop strong academic habits, but also emotional resilience. They want them to explore interests, but also learn how to make smart, informed decisions.
Essentials was created to fill this gap. We built a structured, guided path for students who want to grow and families who want clarity.
At Zenith, we’ve spent nearly two decades helping students succeed in high school, college, and early career pathways. What we’ve seen is simple: Students who thrive aren’t just academically strong. They develop interpersonal skills, habits, and agency.
Essentials brings those foundational skills to life through:
No matter where a student is starting from, Essentials gives them the structure, clarity, and confidence needed to grow into their unique goals
Every Essentials student receives a comprehensive set of supports and learning opportunities:
Essentials is structured and empowering, designed to meet every student where they are. We give students the clarity, confidence, and habits they need to thrive years ahead, but in the years ahead.
Small groups are at the heart of the Zenith Essentials experience. They create an environment where students feel seen, engaged, and supported. Students do not learn in isolation or navigate skill development alone. Students thrive when they learn alongside peers who challenge and inspire them. Essentials is intentionally structured to harness that dynamic energy and turn it into meaningful growth.
In small-group learning environments, students are more likely to:
These skills are key not just for the Essentials Program, but also for long-term success in middle school, high school, and beyond!
The Essentials Program follows a predictable, supportive structure that students and families can count on.
Rolling Enrollment & Flexible Start Dates
Students can join at the beginning of any month (space permitting).
This makes Essentials a far more flexible (and more accessible) option for families who are juggling school demands, extracurriculars, and busy household schedules.
Live Classes — 2x Per Month
Small-group live classes form the heart of Essentials. Each session is interactive, discussion-based, and tailored to the developmental stage of each cohort. Students explore academics, wellness, community responsibility, and future planning through active practice.
Office Hours — 2x Per Month
These optional sessions provide students with an opportunity to ask questions, receive guidance on their capstone progress, deepen their understanding of class material, and establish a connection with their specialist.
Independent Assignments
Students receive asynchronous materials (reflection prompts, planning worksheets, skill practice exercises) that help them apply what they learn at home and at school. These assignments reinforce self-efficacy and long-term habits for success.
Capstone Project
Throughout the program, each student develops a capstone aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. They explore global issues, examine personal interests, and take meaningful action. Better yet, Essentials scales lessons and skill-building to be appropriate for their grade level.
Included Introductory Zenith Course
Essentials enrollment includes one introductory Zenith course to deepen academic interests and spark early career curiosity. Students can choose between a Mini MBA (business), Coding, or Pre-Med Healthcare course.
Upon enrollment in the Zenith Essentials Program, families have to enroll and complete the chosen Introductory Course, ensuring flexibility and accessibility that works for your schedule.
Regular Updates & Family Webinars
Families are also invited to optional back-to-school webinars that share insights into student development, adolescent learning, and strategies for supporting success throughout the academic year.
Zenith Essentials Certificate of Completion
Upon completing the Essentials Program, students receive a UN-backed certificate acknowledging their growth, leadership, academic habits, global engagement, and capstone work.
Every student in Zenith Essentials participates in a capstone project aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). As one of the most distinctive elements of the Essentials program, the capstone anchors students’ personal growth in a broader global context and teaches them to see themselves as capable contributors to their community and world.
Unlike one-time “passion projects” or worksheets that never leave the classroom, the
Essentials capstone develops:
And because the capstone is scaffolded differently for each developmental stage, students are always working at a level that is challenging, empowering, and age-appropriate. Here is how students complete their capstone project in every cohort:
Younger students explore age-appropriate topics within the UN SDGs (community support, well-being, equity, advocacy, education, and more).
Their capstone is designed to build:
Students complete a small but meaningful project (a poster, video, presentation, mini-report, etc.) that connects their personal growth to a real-world issue in their community.
Students in the middle high school years begin to shift from exploration to application. These students begin connecting their current work to future academic, extracurricular, and career pathways.
Their capstone emphasizes:
Projects may include research initiatives, advocacy-based projects, community and extracurricular leadership, career exploration, or structured interest-based explorations connected to SDGs.
Students in 11th and 12th grade are looking ahead to their post-high school life. Zenith Essentials is here to guide students through active, structured post-secondary planning that helps students set clear goals and take the steps needed to achieve them.
The 11th-12th-grade capstone helps students:
This is not 1:1 admissions consulting, but it is a highly supported, developmentally appropriate framework that helps students feel empowered, organized, and confident as they move toward life after high school.
Zenith Essentials is built for students who:
Whether learning foundational skills in younger cohorts, growing into leadership and exploration in middle cohorts, or navigating major milestones and transitions in later grades, Zenith Essentials is here to meet your student wherever they are.
Students may begin the program at the start of any month, provided space remains available in their cohort. If a cohort fills, families may join the waitlist and will be notified as soon as a space opens.
The unique Zenith Essentials rolling model ensures:
Every Zenith Essentials student enters with a clear roadmap, an orientation session, and a guided transition into their live class group.
Most students spend 2-4 hours per month in live instruction and office hours. We recommend that students also invest 4-6 hours per month working on asynchronous materials and their capstone project.
No. Essentials is a skills-driven, cohort-based program. It builds readiness, confidence, and decision-making skills. We do not create personalized admissions strategies.
Absolutely. The 11th–12th-grade cohort includes structured post-secondary planning, writing development, task management, and capstone work aligned to the transition out of high school. Schedule a call with an Essentials expert to discuss how our program works with older high school students.
CGRSs provide guidance during live sessions and office hours, but do not grade or individually review submissions. Zenith Essentials is designed to strengthen independence and self-efficacy.
It’s both. The core content covers universal skills that all students need, but through live instruction, office hours, hands-on activities, and reflections, students apply what they’re learning to their own goals and challenges. Our classes are intentionally small to give students the opportunity to ask their instructors questions and practice advocating for their own learning.
No. The curriculum is intentionally paced to support meaningful growth without adding stress to an already busy school year. The skills students learn in the Zenith Essentials Program are designed to build habits and skills they can immediately apply to their personal and academic lives.
The Zenith Essentials program knows that students are busy and have a lot to balance throughout the year. While it is highly encouraged for students to attend every live class with their scheduled cohort for peer learning, if your student needs to miss a class, they can attend a make-up class to cover vital content.
If you want to give your student a program designed for growth, clarity, skill development, confidence, and global awareness, the Zenith Essentials Program is ready to support them.
Are you an educator, teacher, principal, or leader of an educational program for students in 5th-12th grade? Would your students thrive in a structured, skills-based curriculum? Zenith Essentials is here to partner with you and your students!
After 17+ years, we know one truth:
The #1 advantage you can give your child is TIME.
Not money. Not connections. Not even raw intelligence.
TIME.
Just like basketball, violin, or programming, a child with 4 years to build their profile has a massive advantage over a child with only 2 years.
By starting younger, your child gets at LEAST a 5x advantage when they fill out that application in 12th grade.
Think about it:
More time = more opportunities to explore interests More time = deeper achievements and demonstrated impact More time = stronger relationships with mentors who write recommendations More time = less stress when application season arrives
In 17 years, we’ve never had a parent say “I wish we started later.”
Every single parent says the same thing by 12th grade:
“I wish we had started earlier.”
Don’t let that be you.
The Essentials Program is ideal if:
What Parents Actually Want to Know
“Will my child get individual attention?”
Yes. During group sessions, counselors address individual student questions and situations. Plus, you have email access between sessions.
The group actually enhances learning—your child hears solutions to problems they haven’t even encountered yet.
“How is this different from generic college prep programs?”
Three words: Expertise. Specialization. Results.
Generic programs give generic advice. We give strategies that work at the Ivy League level.
“Can we upgrade to one-on-one later?”
Yes, subject to availability. Many families start with Essentials and transition to premium as their child gets closer to applications.
“What if we’re not satisfied?”
If after your first TWO sessions you’re not 100% confident this program will significantly improve your child’s college outcomes, we’ll refund your money completely.
No questions asked.
Enrollment is Limited. Here’s Why.
Counselor capacity is limited—even in group format
Once cohorts fill, enrollment closes until the next academic year.
Additionally, we only accept students whose profile and goals match our expertise.
If we can’t significantly improve your child’s outcomes, we won’t take you on as a client.
Step 1: Schedule Your FREE 45-Minute Strategy Call
Before anyone becomes a client, we spend 45-60 minutes getting to know your family at no cost.
During this call, we’ll:
Remember: Our counselors aren’t paid on commission. Our only goal is honest, unbiased guidance.
Step 2: Start Building the Profile That Gets Noticed
From day one, your child learns the strategies that have worked for thousands of students.
No more confusion. No more wondering if you’re doing the right things.
Just a clear roadmap, expert guidance, and a community of families pursuing the same goal.
You have three options:
Try to figure it out yourself
You’ll research online, ask other parents, read college admissions books, and hope you’re doing the right things. By 12th grade, you’ll know if it worked. But by then, it’s too late to change course.
Wait until later
You’ll tell yourself “we have time” and “let’s see how things go.” Then 11th grade hits, and suddenly you’re scrambling. Your child is stressed. You’re stressed. And you wish you had started earlier.
Give your child the advantage NOW
For $167/month—less than a phone plan—your child gets access to the same elite counselors and proven strategies that families invest $500K to receive.
Which option gives your child the best shot at their dream school?
You already know the answer.
If after your first two sessions you’re not 100% confident that the Essentials Program will significantly improve your child’s college admissions outcomes, we’ll refund everything.
No questions asked. No hard feelings.
Why are we this confident?
Because we’ve been doing this successfully for 17+ years. We know our strategies work. We know our counselors are elite.
And we know that once families experience the Zenith difference—even in group format—they stay with us year after year.
That’s why we have a 95% client renewal rate.
Years from now, when your child walks across the stage at their dream university, you’ll look back at this moment
This was the decision that changed everything.
Not because we did the work for them—we didn’t.
But because you gave them the roadmap, the expert guidance, and the strategic advantage they needed to stand out.
For $167/month.
The real question isn’t whether you can afford this.
The question is: can you afford NOT to?
Cohorts filling now. Limited spots available.
Or call (510) 585-9744 to speak with an admissions counselor today.
During your free call, discover:
No pressure. No sales tactics. Just honest, expert advice about your child’s future.
P.S. — Still hesitating? Ask yourself this:
What if your child doesn’t get into their dream school, and you realize you had the chance to give them expert guidance for $167/month… but you didn’t take it?
That regret lasts forever.
Don’t let that be your story. Schedule your free call now.
