When summer break is in full swing, most kids are dreaming about trips to the beach, afternoons by the pool and lazy days with friends. Summer tutoring? Not so much. But while focusing on academics may not be your child’s idea of a good time, working with a summer tutor can be advantageous and even necessary for many students.
“Summer tutoring is a great option for your child whether they’re a student who needs extra support to keep from falling behind or an advanced learner who seeks more academic rigor,” says Lana Yeganova, a math instructor and co-founder of Avatar Learning Center. “By selecting learning opportunities tailored to individual needs, parents can help their children thrive.”
Deciding to hire a summer tutor is easy — the hard part is finding the right person for the job. Here’s advice from the pros on setting yourself up to success while seeking a summer tutor for your child.
How do I find the right summer tutor?
Deciding exactly what you want out of a summer tutor is key. Ingrid Moats, owner and coordinator of Tampa Bay Test Prep, recommends taking the time to identify your goals and preferences for a summer tutor before starting your search. Here’s what she advises taking into consideration:
Consider your child’s needs
Moats explains that there are three types of students, each of whom could benefit from summer tutoring:
- Students who have trouble with their core subjects can take study skills, review coursework or get one-on-one tutoring for specific support.
- Students who are going into a tough school or taking advanced classes can preview the material before the school year starts, to get ahead.
- Students who do a lot of activities during the school year can take classes and get the credits ahead of time to lighten their load during the school year.Some students may wish to develop a special skill or hobby, or prepare for tests like the SAT or ACT.
If you’re not quite sure what type of tutoring your child is suited for, broach a conversation with them about what they are really interested in learning more about or what they need help with, advises education expert and author Nadine Levitt.
Consider whether or not you need a specialist
If your child is dealing with unique challenges, you may also want to seek help from a specialist. For instance, for her daughter who has dyslexia, Amanda Parker, a mom in Richmond, Virginia, looked for a tutor with specific training and experience. “Our daughter is very bright and learns things differently, so it was important to us to find someone to work with her in a way that fits her learning style,” Parker says. “We also really wanted to have someone work with her in person as we knew that would work best for her.”
Get your child’s input
Levitt recommends encouraging your child to participate in the hiring process. After all, the tutor is for them. “If you want your child to be excited about it, then let them in on the decision-making,” Levitt says.
“Summer tutoring is a great option for your child whether they’re a student who needs extra support to keep from falling behind or an advanced learner who seeks more academic rigor.”
— Lana Yeganova, math instructor and co-founder of Avatar Learning Center
How much time does my child need for summer tutoring?
This really depends on your child’s needs and goals, says Amanda Medders Paldao, founder and director of Tri-Ed Tutoring.
“If they are two grade levels behind in reading, they will need to meet often — three times a week, to try to make some real progress before the next school year,” points out Paldao. “If they are on track but just don’t want to fall behind during the summer months, once a week may be sufficient.”
If your child is being tutored for SAT/ACT prep, plan for about two hours of tutoring with two to three hours of homework, she adds.
That said, your tutor will help you develop a firm plan based on your child’s unique needs.
What does a summer tutor cost?
According to recent Care data, the national average hourly base rate tutors are charging is $20.74 per hour. Keep in mind, though, summer tutor prices vary widely, based on location, the tutor’s educational background and more.
Potential cost for a summer tutor
Here’s what tutors are charging in top cities*
| CITY | HOURLY TUTOR RATE |
| Seattle, Washington | $24.41 |
| Brooklyn, New York | $24.72 |
| Miami, Florida | $23.33 |
| San Diego, California | $22.92 |
| Portland, Oregon | $21.58 |
| Washington, D.C. | $23.19 |
| Denver, Colorado | $21.71 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $21.44 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $20.96 |
| Phoenix, Arizona | $21.78 |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | $20.21 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $20.94 |
| Houston, Texas | $19.93 |
| Orlando, Florida | $19.22 |
| San Antonio, Texas | $18.33 |
Tips for cutting down cost of a summer tutor
For families on a budget, Yeganova suggests looking for group tutoring sessions that are tailored to your student’s needs. “This can be a great way to introduce your child to tutoring without fully diving into one-on-one private lessons,” she says. “Should you consider a group lesson, it is still important that the tutor practices individualized learning and creates an environment where your child can ask questions and feel comfortable learning with other students.”
Another budget-friendly option: Seek out a college student who’s pursuing a degree in education or a field related to the subject they will be tutoring. Consider reaching out to the education department at nearby colleges or universities to see if they have students who may be interested.
“Watch their communication with you. Is the potential tutor asking good questions? Are they proactive? Are they a good listener?”
— Ingrid Moats, owner and coordinator of Tampa Bay Test Prep
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Tips for finding and hiring a summer tutor
Here, Moats and Levitt offer advice on where to search for summer tutors, along with tips for the interview and hiring process.
Where to search for summer tutors
Find a summer tutor
Word of mouth and asking for recommendations from other parents and your child’s teachers is one of the most effective ways to find a tutor. You can also search on an online platform like Care, which allows you to sort tutors by their specialties, location, cost and experience. You can also read reviews from other parents.
How to interview
Moats says that you can learn a lot simply by how a potential tutor speaks to you during the interview.
“Watch their communication with you as a parent,” Moats says. “Is the potential tutor asking good questions? Are they proactive? Are they a good listener?”
She also recommends asking the following questions:
- “May I see an example lesson or a sample of the activities you do during the lessons?”
- “What is your level of expertise in this area? Do you have testimonials?“
- “Do you provide a lesson plan and/or lesson summaries?”
- “How do you gauge whether a student is improving?”
- “What does the student need for the lessons?”
- “What are the expectations for the student?”
- “Do I need to get books/resources for these lessons?
You may also want to ask more philosophical questions, like why they like to tutor, Levitt says. “If they are passionate about teaching, they will be more likely to have the highest level of care for your child,” Levitt says. “I would also ask them about their learning philosophy, past experiences and examples of how they might adapt their approach for different kinds of learners. The answers to these questions will quickly unveil whether they will be a good fit.”
The bottom line
Hiring a summer tutor can be a great way to reinforce knowledge in order to prevent the “summer slide,” as well as help students that have been having trouble throughout the year. One of the most important things, though, is finding the right fit.
In addition to a detailed interview process, Paldo says parents may want to sit in on the first lesson or two, as having a tutor that can develop rapport with your child will make for successful tutoring.
Although it might take a few sessions for them to hit it off, you know your child best and if they’re not connecting with their summer tutor, don’t hesitate to look for someone else. “Remember, you are hiring the tutor,” says Moats. “If it doesn’t work out, it’s OK. Keep looking for a tutor that best fits your needs.”
