Nth Degree Tutoring is a premier service specializing in academic higher education. I tutor math, science, English literacy, and standardized exams to students in high school, college, and beyond. I often get requests from families with younger children. They ask a fair question: “Why don’t you work with younger students?” and they deserve a fair answer.
In the tutoring industry, grades K – 8, high school, and college are distinct markets. They have different demands, market rates, referral networks, etc. To state it succinctly, I have made a business decision to serve some, but not all, of these markets. This choice reflects on my strengths and limitations as a tutor. Here are some specifics to consider:
- Grade K – 8 material is the easiest, and therefore this market is saturated with tutors. It has the lowest price point. You’ll be able to find good elementary math tutors for $20 – 30 / hr. That rate is not practical for me, and there is no reason for you to pay me 2 – 3 times as much for the same service.
- I agree that some students are more mature than others. But everyone matures as they age. In my experience, cohorts below 9th grade one-on-one, and below college in groups, pose non-academic challenges that other specialists will be able to handle better than I can. I am not trained, certified, or skilled at working with any of the issues that are more highly associated with the K – 8 demographic, such as learning disabilities, attention deficit, dyslexia, emotional dysregulation, anxiety & depression, behavioral / talkative control, or boredom / negative attitudes about learning. Younger parents are often looking for someone to “make learning fun”. My lessons are always pleasant (maybe even fun by adult standards!) but I can’t claim to have the games, toys, or goofy antics to keep younger kids entertained.
- Parents of K – 8 students usually prefer house calls because their children don’t drive. One of my greatest assets is a quiet, studious office. Families with driving-age students will benefit most by coming to my location.
“But our child is so mature …”
It is common for parents to request a special exception: “Our child is so mature for his age!” As you can see above, maturity is part, but not all, of the story. I have made exceptions in the past, but I have learned from this experience that it is better to have a red line and stick to it. Otherwise, “market creep” occurs very quickly. Here’s a typical scenario:
I tutor a 9th grade girl. She has a 7th-grade brother, so I agree to tutor him too. Then the parents start to refer me to his friends. Another family will call and say, “We have a 6th-grade son. We know that you work with a 7th-grader, so we figured you must work with 6th graders too?” Before you know it, my name is all over the middle school. You see where this is going. It just wouldn’t be fair for me to make exceptions for some families but not others.
To keep it simple, I have established my red line at 9th grade. I will consider 14-year-olds in the summer before 9th grade, although those summer lessons would be somewhat generic and not focused on any particular classes.
Mark it on your calendar!
“Where shall we go for K – 8 tutoring in the meantime?”
I think you’ll find that K – 8 tutors come and go. It is difficult for independent tutors to find clients, so the easiest way to connect with one is through a major agency. Vacaville has a Kumon, Mathnasium, and Sylvan. Kumon is a standardized program involving endless hours of repetitive drills, which is what many students need. It will probably give you the best dollars-per-hour value.
There is also something to be said for one-on-one lessons. You can use Varsity Tutors to find one-on-one tutors online. Agencies such as care.com or Tutor Doctor specialize in making house calls. Their local availability is hit-and-miss. You might also try local forums like Next Door, or simply ask around at your child’s school. Working with a good tutor is much more important than being in the same room, so don’t shy away from Zoom lessons.
I hope to see you make the most of your child’s elementary and middle school years. When you get to high school and those math classes start to challenge your childhood tutors, remember my number! I am a professional (part-time) tutor with three decades of experience and another three decades of career path ahead of me. I do not hire staff tutors; all lessons are with me personally. All of my lessons for high-school students are individual, and I strongly recommend coming to my office in Downtown Vacaville for the best learning experience (I am also Zoom-ready). Even if you find a good middle-school tutor, I am confident that you’ll benefit from a transition to Nth Degree when the time comes.
See you then!
Scot