Welcome to Ithaca Student Support
School students: Learning, organizational, communication, and academic skills, grades 7 to 12
Beyond high school: Comprehensive, personalized guidance for the college search and application process, and other post-high school pathways
Homeschoolers: Creative, individualized learning plans, academic subjects, and integrated projects
Two after-school openings available for fall 2026.
One homeschool opening.
Contact iss@ithacastudentsupport.com
"Thank you for paying attention to [my child] in a whole-picture kind of way. And for the guidance and support and your belief in him. I see it reflected in his progress in the college search."
"We are so grateful for your involvement with [our child]. Working with you has really broadened her horizons. She's a happier learner now."
"I found so many interesting colleges working with you. It feels great to have everything done early for my applications."​
"We could not ask for a better teacher. The ways you share information and reinforce it with discussions and readings is so unique and interesting...it’s all the perfect approach for [our child]."
"You make me feel supported and empowered."
"You are bringing out the best in [our child]."
Students and parents
​I take an individualized and holistic approach to working with students, helping them discover and traverse their paths with confidence.
"Your insights into how [our child] learns best have brought more progress in a few weeks than we've seen in a few years."​​
I help students:
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Identify interests, strengths, and challenges
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Develop self-awareness
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Overcome stumbling blocks
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Master skills and knowledge
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Manage expectations and create goals
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Communicate effectively
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Expand their sense of possibility
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Identify and pursue interests
"Thank you for all you do with [our child]. We see so much progress and skill growth."​
You can expect:
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Patience, sensitivity, and creativity
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Nonjudgmental, respectful support
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Fresh ideas and energy
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Individualized assistance
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Routine reviews of progress and plans
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Appropriate benchmarks
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Detailed records
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Referrals to helpful resources​
College and gap year exploration
College exploration
"I can’t overstate how important your help has been with the college process."
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"I didn't think college was an option for me until I started working with you."
The college search can be full of possibility, and can also be a source of stress. I offer guidance to help students and parents examine assumptions, minimize extraneous input, and find useful information.
My goal is to help students explore their priorities and interests, and develop and use self-knowledge as they make decisions.​ I support the application process with tailored organizational tools.​ I've helped students deeply research over 175 campuses, keeping affordability in mind. ​​
Gap year and beyond
"You’ve helped me in so many ways. I've learned to ask questions I didn't realize needed to be asked."​​​​​
As high school wraps up you may feel ready
to find a job, or want time to discover what motivates you, have an adventure, take part-time classes, or strengthen academic skills without time constraints and grades.
​​I help students find work and apprenticeships, pursue travel opportunities, create independent study plans, and connect with resources in our region and farther afield. ​​
About me
My name is Peggy Arcadi. My commitment to student well-being is at the heart of Ithaca Student Support.​ For over twenty years I've worked with teens and young adults on college campuses, in community nonprofits, and in my independent practice. My work is based on a foundation of careful listening, active engagement, feedback from students and parents, and research on how students learn and thrive. ​​
Details
How do students work with me? Some are looking for short-term, critical involvement addressing urgent issues or immediate goals. Others have engaged for up to six years of ongoing support as they continue to explore and develop, change educational environments, and take on new experiences. Parents meet with me for input and support, occasionally or on a regular basis.
I offer an initial consultation and first student meeting at no charge, allowing you all to see if I'm a good fit.
Getting started
Send me an email at iss@ithacastudentsupport.com and we can schedule a meeting.
Location
My office is in downtown Ithaca near the public library. Meeting in students' homes may be possible in some cases.
Fee
Please contact me for details.
