How to Find a Tutor for Your Child

This post was written in partnership with GoPeer. All opinions reflected in the post are my own.

As my kids advance in school, the gap between my knowledge and the subjects I’m able to help them with is growing. They are in 4th, 8th, and 10th grade and homework time has been a struggle for years.

In the evenings, when we’re all tired from school, work, and activities, dinner has to be made, and there are chores still to be done; patience runs thin for all of us. I’d be lying if I didn’t mention that this is one area that was making me feel anxious and inadequate in my parenting.

To make things better, for all of us, I realized it was up to me to find a solution. So, today, I want to share with you how I found help for my kids with their homework, on an as-needed basis, compare tutoring options for K-12 kids and pricing.

How I Realized We Needed Help 

Since the pandemic, many of us (parents) have had to step into the role of being our child’s teacher; and while I’m good at a lot of things, being my child’s teacher isn’t one of them.

At the beginning of the school year, I was unsure if my kids were behind on some subjects since they were adjusting from a lengthy break of lockdowns followed by the summer vacation.

As soon as school started, homework became a daily chore for my kids and me. And, whenever a low grade came home, I began to see a decline in my child’s self-confidence, and this led to more anxious feelings and self-doubt for me.

It soon became apparent that my kids needed additional help with their homework that only a tutor could provide. However, the thought of bringing someone into our home during a pandemic and having to coordinate this with multiple schedules became a daunting task.

I asked friends and emailed my kids’ teachers, tried a few referrals (none were consistent), signed up one child at a local learning center (was expensive and the round trip took up an hour in addition to the hour of class) all of which took months of experimenting and none brought us closer to what we needed: consistent help, fast!

This journey led to searching for online solutions; after all, my kids had already experienced virtual learning and can easily navigate technology, and GoPeer.org was the one that met all our needs. It’s saved us time and gas commuting, lessons are around our schedule, and it’s affordable!

1:1 Online Tutoring with GoPeer

GoPeer is the easiest way to find your next tutor. GoPeer pairs K-12 students with highly qualified college students from top universities for virtual 1-to-1 lessons.

Students and tutors communicate through GoPeer’s secure online classroom, using tools like real-time face-to-face video conferencing, photo/document sharing, and a virtual whiteboard/notepad to collaborate or edit essays.

There are over 150 subjects to choose from to help our kids with homework, classwork, or prep for a test, including SAT and ACT test prep. All sessions are $20/hr and the tutor keeps 100% of that charge.

With GoPeer’s college-aged tutors, your tutor will be close enough in age to your child to understand their perspective and foresee misunderstandings but with the experience. No more tears trying to teach material parents may have forgotten or don’t understand –yes, I’m talking about myself and Math!

Should I Hire a Tutor During the School Year or Wait until Summer?

If your child is struggling with homework and underperforming now, why wait months to catch up? Hiring a tutor, at any point in the school year, can be extremely beneficial to make sure our kids don’t fall further behind.

The last thing our kids need is to feel like it’s “too late” and give up on themselves or a subject simply because they didn’t get help sooner.

Getting help for our kids is about more than just getting good grades. Tutors can provide the emotional support our kids need when they are struggling with school by becoming a confidante to work through their struggles together without the pressure from a parent or school. 

This is one of the biggest benefits I’ve experienced with my kids; the ability to restore their confidence in learning. 

How to Find a Tutor Near You

The hardest part of hiring a tutor for my children was finding the right tutor for them since each had different subject needs and word-of-mouth recommendations aren’t always the most reliable since what works for one family might not be what works best for you.

The reason I chose GoPeer for my children is that I have access to vetted college students who attend top US universities. With a wide network of tutors my kids can have more than one tutor and they can get as little or as much help as they need.

Signing up for GoPeer was the quickest and most affordable way to get my kids the one-on-one help they need with their schoolwork.

What should You Expect from a Tutor?

Whether you decide to go through the lengthy process of finding a tutor on your own or decide to use GoPeer’s vetted and qualified college students; you should expect utmost professionalism and knowledge on the subject being taught. 

We’ve found that a college-aged tutor works well for my middle-schooler, junior high, and high school kid. Our GoPeer tutors have all been highly energetic and motivated to help my kids. I’ve also overheard my middle child open up to his tutor about his feelings on the subject; something he is definitely less likely to do with me.

Tutoring Options Comparison Chart

How Much Does a Tutor Cost?

On average, private tutors cost between $25-$80 per hour depending on the subject. For SAT and test prep, prices start at $45 and up to $100/hr. Local tutoring centers generally cost around $300 per month with test prep courses averaging about $1,100.

For many of us, the costs of 1:1 tutoring can be the #1 obstacle to getting our kids the help they need in school. 

GoPeer’s $20/hr and $10/hr for all lessons, regardless of the subject, and low-monthly fee makes it the most affordable way to get our kids the help they need.

To learn more about GoPeer, their amazing tutors, and schedule your first tutoring session, head over to their website and get 7 day trial to the platform!