Breaking Barriers: How Institutions Can Improve Retention & Learner Success for High School Students

Posted by Laura Amendola on August 19, 2025

When students encounter obstacles in education, they can struggle to retain the material they are learning. This can have negative effects on schools and organizations as well. These barriers can contribute to program completion rates and even workforce readiness. As a result, some schools and organizations may face negative hits to their reputation and could even run into funding problems. This is why it’s important for educational institutions to work with guidance counselors and seek out resources to close the equity gaps facing their students.

Here are some common barriers learners face and how guidance counselors, schools, and school districts can help break through them.

Understanding the most common barriers to education

Understanding the most common barriers and challenges students face can help guidance counselors and school districts address these issues and provide the solutions learners need for success.

1. Transportation challenges

Lack of transportation can be a big hinderance on many students’ education. Not every learner lives within walking distance of their school, and many families don’t have cars, or may be among those who sold their car during the pandemic when both work and school were remote. Furthermore, public transportation may be sparse or unreliable in some areas, like rural settings, making this a significant challenge for traditional age and adult learners alike.

2. Family responsibilities and caregiving

Familial obligations may impact adult learners more often than traditional school aged students, but that’s not always the case. There are many reasons why high schoolers might struggle to give school the attention it deserves as a result of responsibilities at home. These include:

Assisting parents in childcare (or, for teen parents, responsibility of their own child care)
Assisting parents or other family members who require caregiving due to disability, illness, etc.
House management responsibilities
Emotional and/or psychological strain as a result of an abundance of home responsibilities

Several students can find home responsibilities a challenge that stands in the way of their education

3. Technology and internet access

Advances in technology have revolutionized the way students learn and how educators teach. There are many pros to this, but for those who aren’t able to access the latest technology or even the internet, it can be a massive con. In some cases, these students can take advantage of their local libraries, but if they live in a rural area or are one of the students also impacted by transportation challenges, this can be difficult.

4. Financial constraints

Many students’ financial situation doesn’t allow for all the things they need to get the best out of their education. School supplies can add up in all stages of academia. Tuition costs for higher education can be a major roadblock as well for learners who can’t afford the high dollar amount and don’t get enough financial aid to cover it.

5. Academic readiness and support

Every student needs support, but how much support they need varies. Students with learning disabilities need more and oftentimes different support than those who don’t, but sometimes students aren’t even aware they have a disability and struggle asking for help. Furthermore, it’s important to remember that English is not always a learner’s first language, so challenges can arise for these students if not provided the proper support. This can result in some learners falling behind.

6. Mental health and motivation

Getting an education is one of the most important things a person can do, but it can also be one of the most stressful. Between academic, social, and career pressures, many students may experience a range of anxiety and even depression while in school. As many guidance counselors know, high school can be a brutal time in a learner’s life and can wreck their self-esteem. They may not have access to the mental health resources they need to deal with all life throws at them during these years. Motivation can also be difficult to find as a learner moves through their academic career.

What can educational institutions and partners do to remove barriers for students?

There are several solutions schools and partners can seek out to help combat these barriers.

1. Flexible program delivery

Institutions as well as guidance counselors can supply students with flexible options that can work better for their life, or partner with programs that make getting an education convenient for the learner. These options can include evening or weekend courses, asynchronous learning models, and mobile-first or online platforms.

2. Support for caregiving learners

High school students who take on caregiving roles for any of the previously mentioned reasons deserve equitable access to education. Unlike adult learners, these students often face unique barriers and fewer institutional supports. Schools can address this gap by implementing practical strategies such as flexible scheduling, hybrid or asynchronous learning options, and academic accommodations. Offering credit recovery programs, virtual learning platforms, and mentorship from school counselors can help students manage academic demands while fulfilling caregiving duties. By recognizing and responding to the needs of caregiving students, schools can foster inclusion and improve educational outcomes for this often-overlooked population.

3. Technology access solutions

Technology access is a critical barrier that affects high school students across socioeconomic backgrounds. Many traditional-aged learners struggle to afford laptops, tablets, or reliable internet. To address this, schools and districts can implement device lending programs or 1:1 device initiatives. Additionally, schools can work with local governments and internet service providers to offer low-cost or subsidized broadband access, and distribute mobile Wi-Fi hotspots to students lacking home internet.

4. Wraparound services and referrals

For those who struggle with mental health, institutions can and should embed mental health support into the learning journey. Having counselors and easy to access resources can make a big difference in the lives of struggling learners. Offering career services can also help students feeling the stress of a looming post-academia future. It may also be possible to partner with local organizations that offer housing, food, and transportation aid for learners who are roadblocked by these real-world challenges.

Proactive communication and engagement

Proactive communication can be critical to keeping learners connected, motivated, and on track—especially those balancing complex life challenges. Regular check-ins from advisors, instructors, or support staff can build trust and surface issues before they escalate. Nudging campaigns, through texts, emails, or app notifications if applicable, can remind learners of upcoming deadlines, encourage participation, or offer encouragement during key milestones. When combined with data analytics, institutions can identify at-risk learners early, enabling timely interventions that can improve retention and reduce dropout rates. This strategic engagement helps ensure that learners feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Strategic recommendations

To effectively support learners, schools can begin with a thorough audit of their existing learner support strategies. This involves evaluating the availability, accessibility, and effectiveness of current resources. Leveraging learner data—such as engagement metrics, attendance trends, and withdrawal reasons—can reveal patterns and highlight the most pressing barriers specific to your students. These insights can then help inform targeted improvements. Additionally, forming cross-sector partnerships can expand the range of support services available, such as housing, mental health care, or childcare. By approaching learner success through a data-informed and collaborative lens, institutions can create more resilient, equitable pathways to completion.

Support your learners with a Penn Foster partnership

Barriers in the way of education are not just the individual’s responsibility. It’s a shared one. Collaborations, partnerships, financial aid, support services, etc. are all ways schools and guidance counselors can help tear down these barriers. A partnership with an online education provider like Penn Foster can be the perfect way to work with students who face any or multiple of these challenges that hinder their learning. Learn more about our partnerships or request information to get started with your own.