At Curious Cardinals, we’re experts at building confidence in students by connecting them to their dream mentor and anchoring their learning in what’s relevant to them.

We're eager to partner with you to set your child on the path to unlock their greatest potential. We have found that focusing on building confidence via their existing passions can positively shape all aspects of their life.

Sorta like hiding vegetables in a really yummy meal. 😉

Schedule your free matching call:

You’ll have the option to speak via phone call or video call.

An infographic showing the Curious Cardinals mentoring service customer journey with four main stages: Get Matched (25-minute consultation and mentor recommendations), Reserve Your Mentor (platform login and booking within 7 days), Evaluate Your Mentor (14-day trial period with pricing of $95/hour or $380/month), and Begin Your Subscription (ongoing progress tracking with session updates).
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An infographic showing the Curious Cardinals mentoring service customer journey with four main stages: Get Matched (25-minute consultation and mentor recommendations), Reserve Your Mentor (platform login and booking within 7 days), Evaluate Your Mentor (14-day trial period with pricing of $95/hour or $380/month), and Begin Your Subscription (ongoing progress tracking with session updates).
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FEATURED IN

Traditional extracurriculars
aren’t enough

Your child is smart and driven, maybe even ahead in math. But right now, they are:

Endless consumption, zero creation:  They’re glued to gaming, TikTok, or Netflix—but nothing tangible is coming from it.
Overbooked and underwhelmed: They’re doing everything—debate, APs, Model UN—but going through the motions and not creating anything that sets them apart.
No time, no strategy: You see their potential. But between your career, parenting, and life, you can’t be their coach, counselor, and motivator.

You don’t need another tutor, test-prep plan, or resume strategist.

You need someone who can ignite your child’s potential—and help them build the kind of resume that speaks for itself.

The right mentor
changes everything

Top performers have coaches. Your child deserves the same.

From Olympians to CEOs, no one reaches their potential alone.

Curious Cardinals mentors are the catalysts that help your child dream bigger, follow through, and achieve something truly extraordinary. They:

Model what’s possible — because they’ve launched startups, published groundbreaking research, and navigated the same path just a few years ahead.
Turn passions into projects — guiding your child from scattered interests to standout accomplishments (not just another checkbox).
Drive accountability — helping your child reach ambitious goals while balancing a busy schedule.
Spark self-motivation — so your child owns the process (and you’re not stuck nagging them to do their work).
Find a mentor

Our Four Tracks to Choose From

Portfolio Creation

Build tangible projects—from robotics prototypes to creative writing collections—that colleges love.

See more

Launching an Organization

Turn big ideas into social impact initiatives or profitable businesses.

See more

Research

Conduct meaningful research, publish original work, and stand out academically.

See more

Content Creation

Establish a powerful digital presence and publish professional-level content.

See more

Portfolio Creation

Build tangible projects—from robotics prototypes to creative writing collections—that colleges love.

See more

Launching an Organization

Turn big ideas into social impact initiatives or profitable businesses.

See more

Research

Conduct meaningful research, publish original work, and stand out academically.

See more

Content Creation

Establish a powerful digital presence and publish professional-level content.

See more

Find a mentor

Why parents trust us

We guide students to compete and win in prestigious STEM competitions, enhancing their academic and professional profiles.

Trusted by 10k + parents

4.8 / 5
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Our average family rating
98%
💛💛💛💛💛
of students love the experience
1

Mentors who get it

Not just tutors teaching subjects, but accomplished students from top universities who remember exactly what your child is going through—from AP stress to college applications. They guide your child in building something meaningful while managing their busy schedule.

2

Built for busy schedules

One hour per week, virtual sessions that fit your family's schedule, and the freedom to focus on what matters most to your child - whether that's diving deep into a passion project or combining it with academic support.

3

Results you can see

Clear milestones, weekly updates, and tangible achievements you can track. No more wondering if time and money are being well spent. Most students complete their first significant project within 3-6 months.

Find a mentor

Learn from the best of the best

Our mentors are Olympians, Rhodes scholars, class presidents, team captains, award winners, and fellowship recipients. With 650+ mentors from the world’s top schools on our roster, we will match your child with an inspiring role model who has been in their shoes and can pave a path to follow.

Find a mentor

Our Pricing

4 guaranteed one-hour sessions per month with the perfect-match near-peer mentor, handpicked for you.
No commitment, 2-week evaluation period to ensure you’re happy with your mentor.
Roll over up to 4 hours of unused credits monthly. Cancel or pause anytime as your family’s needs change.
Progress notes available in the platform and emailed straight to your inbox after every session, plus exclusive insight into your child’s growth.

subscription

$380

(4) one-hour sessions

billed monthly

Get started

We’re confident in the value we provide, which is why we offer a 100% money-back guarantee. If after 2 weeks of working with Curious Cardinals you’re not completely satisfied, we’ll give you a full refund — no questions asked.

100% money-back guarantee

Founder letter

I still remember staring at that blank piece of paper.

It was my freshman year, and I had just been cut from the academy soccer team. My "perfect" plan was shattered. Like many students, I had no idea what made me unique.

Sound familiar?

Maybe your child is:

▸ Getting good grades but missing that "spark"

▸ Struggling to find their "thing" that makes them stand out

▸ Doing all the right activities but lacking passion

▸ Following the standard playbook but blending in with thousands of others

Here's what nobody tells you: Real standout achievements don't come from following a template. They come from finding that sweet spot where passion meets impact.

I discovered this by accident. That blank paper became Soles4Good — a nonprofit that's now transformed lives across multiple countries. Not because I was trying to "build my resume," but because I found something that truly mattered to me.

Today, I watch the same transformation happen with our students:


▸ A gaming enthusiast who built an 8,000-download educational app

▸ A fashion lover who launched a sustainable clothing movement

▸ A coding beginner who created accessibility software for their grandmother

These aren't just impressive achievements. They're authentic stories that set students apart. That's why we built our Passion Project program at Curious Cardinals.

We pair your child with extraordinary mentors from Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Yale who:

▸ Have built their own successful ventures

▸ Know how to turn interests into impact

▸ Understand what top schools really look for

▸ Can guide your child from idea to execution

Because here's the truth: Colleges don't want to see another "volunteer project" or "leadership position." They want to see what makes your child uniquely them.

Your child has that spark. They just need the right guidance to turn it into something extraordinary.

Ready to help them stand out?

Stay Curious,

Alec Katz
Co-founder & COO