Why High School MTSS Needs to Be Flexible, Not Flawless

During my time as a high school teacher and tutor, I saw firsthand how much high school students juggle—extracurricular activities, jobs, family responsibilities, and mounting academic pressures. By the time they reach ninth grade, many struggling students are already multiple grade levels behind, making intervention feel like an uphill battle. And with limited time, high stakes, and students who may be reluctant to engage, implementing MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) in high school can be uniquely challenging. 

So how do we make MTSS work in a setting where time is limited, and engagement isn’t guaranteed? Based on my experience in the classroom and supporting MTSS implementation, here are some practical strategies to adapt MTSS for high school success: 

Address Learning Gaps Without Sacrificing Engagement 

By the time students reach high school, those with learning gaps are often hesitant to seek help because they don’t want to be singled out. This reluctance can be a major barrier to effective interventions. To counter this: 

• Normalize Academic Support – Frame interventions as part of a growth mindset culture, rather than a “fix” for struggling students. If offered during a WIN period or a universal support time, a student is less likely to feel singled out. 

• Use Interest-Based Learning – Connect interventions to real-world applications. Whether it’s career-based projects, internships, or hands-on learning activities, tying academic support to students’ future goals can boost both engagement and outcomes. 

Recognize That Life Happens: Build a Flexible, Student-Centered System 

High school students face real-life pressures that impact their academic success. I’ve worked with students balancing work schedules, caregiving responsibilities, and mental health challenges—pressures that can’t be ignored when designing effective MTSS systems. To meet these diverse needs, schools should: 

• Expand MTSS Beyond Academics – Academic interventions are essential, but high school MTSS should also address broader barriers to learning. Embedding mental health resources, social-emotional learning supports, and community partnerships into the framework can create a more holistic, student-centered system. 

• Use Check-Ins and Relationship-Building – Regular, informal check-ins with teachers, counselors, or MTSS team members help build trust and give students a safe space to share their needs. Relationship-building is critical to understanding the full picture of what students are navigating. 

Expanding the Scope of MTSS 

One of the most powerful aspects of MTSS is its flexibility. At the high school level, it can be used to support a wide array of needs, including: 

• Academic Interventions – Closing learning gaps in core content areas. 

• Support for Multilingual Learners (MLs) – Tailored interventions that address both language acquisition and content mastery. 

• Social-Emotional and Mental Health – Embedding SEL and counseling supports to help students manage stress, anxiety, and other challenges. 

• Chronic Absenteeism – Using data to identify and re-engage students who are frequently absent. 

• Behavioral Support – Developing positive behavioral interventions to reduce disciplinary issues. 
• Early Warning Systems (EWS) – Monitoring key indicators like grades, attendance, and behavior to provide timely, targeted interventions before students fall too far behind and risk not graduating. Read about how we built a early warning system for a more proactive approach to supporting students.

MTSS isn’t a magic wand, but when it’s thoughtfully adapted to meet the realities of high school life, it can be a game changer. By balancing academic rigor with flexibility and a student-centered approach, we can create an MTSS framework that empowers students to succeed—both in the classroom and beyond.