As a parent, you want to make sure that your teen is getting the best education possible. High school years are the foundation for adult life. If your teen is struggling to thrive in school, the first step toward success is to find your teen’s learning style.

The three primary types of learning include:

• Auditory – An auditory learner does best when he talks aloud to others about the lesson at hand, hears the problem and explanation read by a teacher, or reads the lesson out loud to himself.
• Visual – A teen that takes many notes, does best when reading silently, and often has a hard time concentrating when there is noise or activity in the immediate area is a visual learner.
• Kinesthetic – If your teen likes the hands-on approach to most lessons, he is likely a kinesthetic learner. This means he is often anxious sitting in a quiet classroom; he would much rather be in the chemistry lab or a cooking class physically manipulating the objects involved in a lesson.

Once you are able to recognize your teen’s learning style, you can help him put together a plan of action that will allow him to succeed in school. After speaking with your teen, you may want to schedule an appointment with the school counselor. She should be able to steer your teen toward classes that better meet his needs. If, however, your teen’s school does not have alternatives to his current class work, it may be better to look into alternative schooling methods.

One alternative schooling method includes homeschooling, which is great for any type of learner–particularly if your teen leans toward the kinesthetic approach. Visual learners would do well enrolled in an online school curriculum. The work would be in front of him at all times, enabling him to absorb the lesson without disruption. Online video instruction can work well for auditory learners, as can smaller classes where students work in groups (check with your regional education center regarding availability in your area).