How to choose a tutor for your child
Get tutoring help for your child →The right tutor is less about credentials on paper and more about whether they can find where your child is stuck and explain it in a way your child understands. This checklist helps you ask useful questions before you commit.
Start with what you want to change
Write down one or two specific goals before you call anyone. “Keep up with grade 6 fractions” or “read chapter books without guessing at words” gives a tutor something to plan around. “Do better in school” does not.
Questions to ask any tutor or center
- How will you find out where my child is now? Is there an initial assessment, and what does it cover?
- How will lessons connect to what my child’s class is doing?
- How often will I hear about progress, and in what form?
- Who will actually teach my child, and will it be the same person each time?
- What happens if it is not working after a few weeks?
- What are the costs, the schedule, and the cancellation terms, in writing?
Judging fit
After a first session, ask your child what the tutor explained and whether it made sense. A good fit usually shows up as a child who can describe what they practiced, not just that it was “fine.” Experience with your child’s grade level and subject matters more than general teaching experience.
Warning signs
- Promises of a guaranteed grade or score.
- No clear plan, or the same worksheet routine regardless of your child’s needs.
- Pressure to sign a long contract before any assessment.
- Vague answers about who teaches and how progress is reported.
A note on learning differences
If you suspect your child has a learning disability or attention difficulty, tutoring is not a substitute for an evaluation. Ask your child’s school or pediatrician about next steps.
Tell us your child’s grade, ZIP code and the subject that feels hardest. Wherever you live in the U.S., we’ll search for a tutoring provider near you. Families near Bay Ridge, Brooklyn can connect with Huntington Learning Center.
Start the questionnaireRelated guides
- Signs your child may benefit from tutoring
- How much tutoring does a child need?
- Online vs. in-person tutoring: a practical comparison for families
- All parent guides