In-Person College Counseling for Students in Newport Beach & Coastal Orange County
From middle school academic planning through college admissions, StrivePath helps students throughout Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Newport Coast, Costa Mesa, Balboa Island, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach build confidence, develop strong academic habits, and pursue colleges where they will thrive. Whether your student attends Newport Harbor High School, Corona del Mar High School, Estancia High School, Costa Mesa High School, Sage Hill School, Pacifica Christian, or another nearby school, our advisors provide personalized support in academics, executive functioning, extracurricular planning, college research, essays, and applications.
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Schools We Frequently Work With
Our Newport Beach office works with students from public, private, and independent schools across the Newport-Mesa, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach communities. The schools below represent many of the communities we regularly serve, but families from all nearby schools are welcome.
Public High Schools
- Newport Harbor High School
- Corona del Mar High School
- Estancia High School
- Costa Mesa High School
- Laguna Beach High School
- Edison High School
- Huntington Beach High School
- Fountain Valley High School
- University High School
Middle Schools
- Horace Ensign Intermediate School
- Corona del Mar Middle School
- Costa Mesa Middle School
- TeWinkle Middle School
- Thurston Middle School
- Dwyer Middle School
- Harbor Day School
- Our Lady Queen of Angels School
- Mariners Christian School
Independent & Private Schools
- Sage Hill School
- Pacifica Christian High School
- Mater Dei High School
- Crean Lutheran High School
Do not see your student’s school listed? We work with families throughout coastal Orange County.
Success is more than college admission
At StrivePath, success means more than college admission—it’s about building the foundation and self-awareness to thrive. We focus on what truly matters: the student and their family, developing each student’s unique strengths to prepare them for college and a fulfilling life.
Happier students. Less stressed families. Better admission outcomes.
How we help students like you
Discover who you are and what drives you. Let’s turn your goals into achievements while staying balanced and confident.
From hobbies to career dreams, uncover what excites you most and build a plan that reflects who you are.
We tailor every academic plan to your strengths and future goals so you can excel with clarity and purpose.
Say goodbye to last-minute cramming. Learn the skills that will keep you organized and on top of your game.
It’s not about doing it all—it’s about doing what matters most while taking care of yourself.
How we help parents like you
Leave the planning to us so you can focus on supporting your child’s happiness and growth.
We simplify the process so you can enjoy this time without the overwhelm.
Let us handle the logistics and motivation, so your relationship with your child can stay positive.
Whether you’re familiar with the U.S. education system or completely new, our tailored support ensures your child gets the best opportunities.
Our deep knowledge of Orange County schools and opportunities ensures your child stands out where it matters most.
Why Newport Beach Families Choose StrivePath
Newport Beach and coastal Orange County families face a planning problem that is often structural before it is academic. Newport-Mesa Unified serves Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Newport Coast, Balboa Island, and Costa Mesa, and its high schools differ more than families expect: Corona del Mar runs a combined grade 7-12 campus, while Newport Harbor, Estancia, and Costa Mesa High each have their own programs and course sequences. Nearby, Laguna Beach Unified, Huntington Beach Union High School District, and Irvine Unified offer different options again, and many families also weigh private schools such as Sage Hill and Pacifica Christian. Knowing which school a student actually feeds into, and what it offers, changes the plan.
Program choice here is rich and often confusing. Families weigh heavy AP course loads, dual enrollment at Orange Coast College, and specialized electives and academies, and the right mix looks different for every student. Athletics is the other defining force. Water polo, swimming, surfing, sailing, and other competitive programs pull families into decisions about club schedules, transfers, and private school tuition as early as middle school, and often before anyone has looked at how it affects academics or eligibility.
StrivePath helps families make those decisions with information instead of momentum. We map the student's actual district and school options, compare AP, dual enrollment, and elective pathways honestly, coordinate athletic recruiting timelines with course rigor and testing, build the executive functioning habits that survive a two-sport season, and assemble a balanced college list across the UCs, CSUs, private universities, and out-of-state options. The point is a student who is prepared and self-directed, not one whose plan was set by whichever coach or neighbor spoke last.
Complimentary introductory consultation. No obligation.
StrivePath's Impacts & Results
At StrivePath, we focus on more than just getting into college—we ensure that every student is set up for long-term success. Here's how our approach delivers results:
100% College Acceptance to Top-Choice Schools
Every student StrivePath has worked with has been accepted to one of their top-choice colleges, demonstrating our track record of success.
Improved Grades and Motivation
Students consistently report higher academic performance, along with increased motivation and self-confidence. Our tailored approach fosters long-term engagement and academic success.
Reduced Stress for Students and Families
Through personalized planning, ongoing support, and clear communication, students experience less stress, while parents feel more informed and empowered.
Healthy Habits for Lasting Success
We focus on developing holistic habits that contribute to long-term well-being, such as improving sleep quality and reducing social media use, which ultimately supports academic and personal growth.
Improved Family Dynamics
Parents benefit from regular updates and a clear roadmap for their child’s success, leading to better family communication and a more harmonious college prep experience.
Communities We Serve
Newport Beach
Supporting students at Newport Harbor High School, Horace Ensign Intermediate, Pacifica Christian, and Our Lady Queen of Angels with academic planning, executive functioning, and college admissions guidance.
Corona del Mar
Working with Corona del Mar Middle and High School families on the grade 7-12 campus with course planning, interest development, essays, and applications.
Newport Coast
Partnering with Corona del Mar High School, Sage Hill, and Harbor Day families on long-term academic planning and realistic college lists.
Costa Mesa
Helping Estancia, Costa Mesa High School, and TeWinkle Middle School students build organized, balanced four-year plans from middle school forward.
Balboa Island & Peninsula
Supporting Newport Harbor High School and Horace Ensign Intermediate families with study habits, course selection, and planning for competitive college admissions.
Laguna Beach
Working with Laguna Beach High School and Thurston Middle School families on academic planning, executive functioning, essays, and applications.
Huntington Beach
Helping Edison, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, and Dwyer Middle School families plan rigorous coursework and build authentic, well-supported college applications.
See What Our Students & Parents Are Saying
* Student images and testimonials posted with permission.
StrivePath helps students achieve their best, both academically and personally.
Not only are we great at driving strong college admission outcomes, but we also impact students and parents in meaningful ways.
"We have been working with them for the past year and are very satisfied with the level of service and results. The technology they have is unmatched and I strongly encourage anyone that is interested to discuss this specifically with them. Very happy with the decision we made and happy to recommend them!"
Jon E.
Walnut Creek, CA
"We've worked with several college counselors for our son who is in college and our daughter who is a senior applying to college. We felt that Sunny and his team provided the most clear, concrete, and actionable advice. We feel that the input and advice we got will make a big difference."
Jill S.
Lafayette, CA
Thank you, StrivePath! As a mom navigating our first college process, I can’t say enough about Saumya—she was patient, supportive, reassuring, and kind from start to finish. She built a realistic summer plan for my son that helped us complete the college research and essay work early, so when October 1 arrived, our applications were already submitted. The organization and calm she brought to the process were a huge relief. She reassured my son that he would have many options and celebrated each college admittance with him. We felt guided every step of the way. Get ready for Kid #2!
Kerry J.
Walnut Creek, CA
Strivepath really does strive for excellence. My daughter is with Strivepath for sometime now. Their counselors are very empathetic, resourceful and knowledgeable. They focus on kids mental health a lot while guiding the path for college admissions. I will highly recommend their service for anyone looking for college counseling. We are very happy with their service.
Sudipta K.
Oakland, CA
StrivePath Resources
College Admissions Timeline
A grade-by-grade overview of the decisions and milestones that matter most.
How to Build a Balanced College List
Guidance on building a realistic list based on fit, interests, and admissions probability.
College Search Tool
Direct families to StrivePath’s current college-search entry point until a dedicated public tool URL is confirmed.
FAQs
Get answers to the top questions about our academic and college planning services.
Do you work with students from Newport Harbor High School and Corona del Mar High School?
Yes. Our Newport Beach office works with students from both schools on academic planning, course selection, executive functioning, extracurricular strategy, college research, essays, and applications.
Do you also serve Costa Mesa, Newport Coast, and Balboa Island?
Yes. We regularly work with students from Estancia, Costa Mesa High School, Corona del Mar, Newport Harbor, TeWinkle, and Horace Ensign, along with families at Sage Hill, Pacifica Christian, and Harbor Day.
Do you work with Laguna Beach and Huntington Beach families?
Yes. Our service area includes Laguna Beach High School, Thurston Middle School, Edison, Huntington Beach High School, Fountain Valley, and Dwyer Middle School, along with nearby private schools.
Our student attends Corona del Mar's grade 7-12 campus. When should we start planning?
Earlier than most families expect. Because middle and high school share one campus, course choices in 7th and 8th grade shape which math and science sequences are open later. We help families map all six years so rigor, activities, and wellbeing stay in balance.
Our student is a serious athlete hoping to be recruited. Can you help?
Yes. Recruiting is a major factor in this area. We help families align recruiting outreach and club schedules with course rigor, NCAA eligibility requirements, testing, and application deadlines so athletics and academics reinforce each other.
Should our student take dual enrollment classes or focus on AP?
It depends on the student and their goals. Many local students combine AP courses with dual enrollment at Orange Coast College. We compare the workload, the student's strengths, and how each option is evaluated in admissions before recommending a direction.
Are meetings held in person?
Yes. Families may meet with their advisor at our Newport Beach office at 120 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660, with additional flexibility depending on the student's plan and needs.
Get In Touch
Help Your Student Build a Future They Are Excited About
Whether your child is preparing for high school or working through college applications, our advisors help families throughout Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Newport Coast, Balboa Island, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach build thoughtful plans, reduce stress, and approach the admissions process with confidence. Visit us at 120 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
