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Award-Winning Tutors serving Chicago, IL

Harleen

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Harleen

BS
Harleen's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Statistics Graduate Level
Statistics
Pre-Calculus

I am a Molecular Engineering major at the University of Chicago, I am currently taking time off to focus on other aspects of my career but I don't want to stop tutoring outside college campus!. I am a child of immigrants and have spent my life tutoring my siblings and younger students, and I loved...

Education

University of Chicago

BS

Curran

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Curran

AB
Curran's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra

As a professional educator with over a decade of experience, I specialize in delivering personalized, high-impact instruction across the humanities, test preparation, and college readiness. I've taught everything from early literacy and middle school ELA to AP-level history, civics, and economicsand...

Education

University of Notre Dame

AB

Thomas

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Thomas

AM
Thomas's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra
Elementary School Math

I have years of experience teaching writing and literary analysis in the classroom setting, and years of teaching students one on one.

Education

University of Chicago

AM

Soung

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Soung

DSC
Soung's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus

I'm a highly skilled, professional tutor with over 20 years experience. I have an exceptional ability to teach math to students with severe learning challenges. I make all levels of math understandable and foster confidence in the student. I'm also expert in SAT/ACT test preparation and high school ...

Education

Northwestern University

DSC

University of Chicago

DSC

Emma

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Emma

AB

I'm a third-year PhD candidate at Harvard University studying computational biology. I tutor all elementary subjects, high school subjects including advanced placement level courses and college level chemistry, biology, computer science, and English coursework. More specifically, I am highly qualifi...

Education

University of Chicago

AB

Anudeep

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Anudeep

Doctorate (e.g., PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Anudeep's other Tutor Subjects
College Physics

My name is Anudeep Mangu, and I hold a Doctorate in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University. With almost a decade of tutoring and mentorship experience, I specialize in Physics, particularly in AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. I am also comfortable teaching Algebra and Cal...

Education

Stanford University

Doctorate (e.g., PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Bachelor's

Grishma

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Grishma

Professional (JD, MD, DMD, etc)
Grishma's other Tutor Subjects
Geometry
AP Physics 1
AP Biology
AP Chemistry

I'm passionate about helping students because I've seen how meaningful support can turn uncertainty into confidence. I graduated in the top 10% of my high school class and completed a rigorous AP curriculum in subjects like Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Calculus BC, English, Economics, and Spanish. I...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor

Loyola University-Chicago

Professional (JD, MD, DMD, etc)

Maya

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Maya

Master's/Graduate
Maya's other Tutor Subjects
High School English
Middle School English
College Application Essays

I hold a Master of Arts in Social Science from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor's in Political Science from Grambling State University. Alongside my academic background, I've worked in education as both a program coordinator and a tutor, supporting students from middle school through college...

Education

University of Chicago

Master's/Graduate

Grambling State University

Bachelor's

Shravan

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Shravan

MD

I'm Shravan, an MS4 at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. I know firsthand how overwhelming the MCAT and med school admissions process can feelbut I also know how to simplify it and make it work for you. I scored in the 99th percentile on the MCAT and received over 20 interviews a...

Education

Northwestern University

MD

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

MD

Maryam

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Maryam

BS
Maryam's other Tutor Subjects
SAT Reading
SAT
Adult ESL/ELL

Maryam Garba has a track record of successfully teaching and mentoring students of all ages. She grew up in a family of teachers and this inspired her to take on tutoring from a very young age. Maryam is a certified teacher with 12 years of ESL teaching experience along with 6 years of ACT, SAT, LSA...

Education

Stanford University

BS

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Shannon

Middle School Math Tutor • +4 Subjects

As a passionate tutor in my fourth year of medical school, I am dedicated to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment. With over 5 years of experience, I specialize in elementary through high school subjects, including math, reading, writing, and Spanish, as well as standardized test prep (ACT/SAT and MCAT) and college application essay writing. My teaching philosophy centers on building connections with my students, using interactive methods that cater to their individual learning styles. I find joy in guiding students towards academic success and helping them develop a love for learning. Outside of tutoring, I enjoy exploring all the different foods, music, and cultures that Chicago has to offer!

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Karin

TOEFL Tutor • +38 Subjects

Karin McKie, MFA, compiles curriculum and personalizes teaching for a broad spectrum of students. I know there is no better, nor more crucial, calling than helping learners communicate their voices and realize their educational dreams. I specialize in tutoring all standardized tests, including the LSAT, SAT, PSAT, ACT, GRE, HSPT, ISEE, Accuplacer, STAAR, TOEFL/IELTS, ASVAB, all AP/IB English and history classes, and more. I also created and published a simple reading annotation system and related strategies specifically to tackle timed tests, as well as teaching critical reading, comparative literature, public speaking, and theater. As a professional writer and editor, I coach students in persuasive writing for schoolwork, college application and supplemental essays, internship and job applications, and the like. For decades, I've taught and lectured at universities, schools, and with individuals in Chicagoland and the Bay Area, and to online students of all ages around the world. I customize study plans with learners and their advocates to utilize existing abilities and add new techniques to reach personal and scholastic goals. I have a BS in Communications and Theater, and an MFA in Creative Writing. I have completed Continuing Education courses at Stanford, Northwestern and DePaul Universities. I'm a professional features writer and culture critic. I've edited Perspective design journal and Reed literary magazine and have performed memoir essays I've written on Chicago Public Radio. I come from a family of teachers and was fortunate to grow up at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, where my anthropologist mom was Education Director. Since early childhood, I've been immersed in multicultural and ELL education. I've devoted my personal and professional time to diversity and storytelling, starting at public TV station WETA in my hometown outside Washington, D.C., where I was certified as a trainer with Sesame Street's Preschool Education Project. I've also taught creativity and teambuilding through improvisation to all ages (as well as creating a kids summer camp), reading for the SAG Foundations BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) program, plus reading and writing skills to at-risk students through the Park District's Kraft Great Kids Program. I've assisted many of my arts marketing clients, including Barrel of Monkeys and Kidworks Touring Theatre, with youth literacy programs at schools and libraries throughout the Windy City.

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Stephen

Pre-Calculus Tutor • +23 Subjects

I am a graduate of Grinnell College, a private liberal arts college located in Grinnell, Iowa. I have a Bachelor of the Arts in Computer Science from Grinnell's Department of Math and Computer Science. Since graduation I have tutored students of a wide variety of ages and background in a number of subjects. I have tutored middle school students in the Chicago area in Math and science and high school students in advanced Math, chemistry, writing, and helped them prepare for standardized tests for college admittance. I have also tutored adults preparing for academic proficiency tests for their jobs and with GRE prep for those interested in going to graduate school. Additionally I have taught English grammar, reading, and conversational skills to ESL students in Chicago, Ecuador, and Colombia. While I tutor a number of subjects, I particularly enjoy helping students with standardized test strategy and following their scores as they increase towards their goal. When I tutor, I aim to lead students to an answer by example so that they can see the reasoning involved themselves, rather than me just telling them the answer. The more the students can come to their own solutions, the more memorable the lessons will be. In my spare time I enjoy reading, playing skill games like scrabble, bridge, and poker, and outdoor activities like biking, camping, and canoeing when the weather is nice.

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Karis

Cell Biology Tutor • +8 Subjects

I received a B.S. in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. After graduating, I moved to Nashville where I worked in a lab at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for a year. I then earned my PhD in Biomedical Science at Northwestern University where my thesis focused on developing a gene therapy for Parkinson's disease. I love teaching all things science!

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Palmer

Pre-Calculus Tutor • +1 Subjects

Hi! I'm Palmer Blackstock, a passionate tutor with a Bachelor's degree in Physics from the University of Chicago and over two years of experience in tutoring high school and college students. My primary focus is on Physics at both introductory and advanced levels, with an additional focus in math subjects like Algebra, Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus. In my past tutoring I've helped students grasp complex concepts in mechanics, waves, and electromagnetism, as well as math concepts in trigonometry and calculus. I believe in a collaborative, student-centered approach, where I'll ask the student what they know, what they don't know, and what they want to get out of our tutoring sessions. I always tailor my lessons to meet a student's individual needs. I'm dedicated not only to enhancing a student's understanding of math and science concepts but also fostering a love of science by providing engaging content and real-world examples. In addition to my passion for education, I also love writing and journalism, especially finding engaging methods for science communication. I enjoy reading books and listening to science podcasts. But I'm also an avid video game and board game player.

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Jake

Middle School Math Tutor • +1 Subjects

My passion for tutoring stems from my experience as a TA, where I discovered that effective teaching goes beyond just delivering content; it's about building relationships and instilling confidence in students. With over two years of tutoring experience in math and computer science, I focus on fostering an interactive learning environment where students actively engage with the material. I believe in the power of practice over passive learning, guiding students to identify their challenges and develop effective study habits. As a National Merit Scholar, I've honed my own test-taking strategies, which I enjoy sharing for SAT prep as well. I'm excited to support you on your academic journey!

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Jason

Algebra Tutor • +5 Subjects

A student at University of Chicago who scored a 1560 on his SAT, Jason loves sharing all the tips and tricks he has learned over the years doing and teaching the SAT. He can provide all the SAT mock tests that the student needs to practice and succeed in the actual exam. Conducted online, students can expect to go through problems step by step with Jason, using visual learning with customized drills to familiarize themselves with specific concepts. Generally, Jason will tailor his feedback to what the student should work on, both in English and math, and provide examples to show how the student should be working through the problems.

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Diane

Phonics Tutor • +5 Subjects

I love teaching and know how to make teaching fun as well as effective. I have a positive outgoing demeanor which enables me to relate well to children of all ages and abilities.I have taught all elementary school grades, levels and subjects. My expertise is in teaching reading and language arts. My last teaching job was teaching second grade in the Gifted Program at Bell School in Chicago. I also have experience teaching learners who need extra support. I have been certified to teach in New Jersey, Ohio and Illinois. In Illinois I have been certified as an early education teacher as well as a teacher for grades up to grade 9. In conjunction with my library degree from the University of Chicago I wrote a thesis analyzing children's literature.

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Elijah

SAT Tutor • +1 Subjects

I graduated from the University of Chicago with a triple major in sociology, music, and media arts. I enjoy explaining the nuances of a text based question, whether it involves reading or math, and I am excited to share this passion with others. Throughout my studies, I achieved the status of National Merit Scholar via my PSAT score of 1480/1520, as well as an SAT score of 1580/1600 (a perfect 800 in math). I have also received a perfect score of 5 in classes such as AP Calculus AB, AP US History, and AP Biology. Over the past year, I have worked with middle and high school students on ISEE and SAT test prep in both group and individual settings. I thoroughly enjoy working to fulfill their educational goals, and I look forward to seeing their scores improve over time as a result of our collective dedication. I believe in delving deeply into core concepts to understand the fundamentals of a problem, which I believe is essential to academic growth. I'm looking forward to working with you!

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Daniel

Algebra Tutor • +1 Subjects

As a dedicated college student pursuing a degree in Computer Science and Economics at The University of Chicago, I have a strong passion for mathematics, particularly in algebra and SAT preparation. With over two years of tutoring experience, I focus on high school and middle school students, helping them identify their strengths and weaknesses to tailor our sessions effectively. I utilize official College Board materials, ensuring my students engage with real SAT problems. My own experience on the SAT fuels my commitment to guiding others through the college admissions process. I believe in fostering a supportive learning environment where students feel encouraged to ask questions and explore concepts deeply. I am excited to help students achieve their academic goals and navigate their educational journeys.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago's 12 school districts follow Illinois State Standards, which emphasize critical thinking and mastery across core subjects. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps students fill gaps in foundational skills and work at their own pace to meet grade-level expectations. Tutors can align their approach with your student's specific school's curriculum, whether they're in CPS or a neighboring district, ensuring the support directly strengthens performance in the classroom.

Varsity Tutors connects students across Chicago's diverse neighborhoods and school districts with expert tutors who specialize in their specific needs—whether that's test prep, subject mastery, or homework support. Our matching process considers learning style, subject expertise, and availability to ensure a strong fit. With such a large student population, we're equipped to serve learners at every level, from elementary through college preparation.

Chicago's average student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1 means individual students can easily get lost in the classroom, especially those who need extra support or work at a different pace. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction provides the focused attention that larger classrooms can't always offer, allowing tutors to identify knowledge gaps, adjust teaching methods, and build confidence. This targeted support is particularly valuable for students preparing for standardized tests or tackling challenging subjects like math and science.

Chicago students typically seek help with math (algebra, geometry, and test prep), English/reading comprehension, science, and standardized test preparation including the ACT and SAT. Many students also benefit from tutoring in subjects tied to Illinois graduation requirements and college readiness. Varsity Tutors connects students with tutors across all these areas, plus foreign languages, history, and AP/honors coursework.

The first session is an opportunity for the tutor to understand your student's current level, learning goals, and any specific challenges they're facing in their Chicago school. The tutor will assess what's working and what needs improvement, then create a personalized plan moving forward. This initial meeting sets the foundation for productive sessions and helps both tutor and student build rapport.

Expert tutors help Chicago students build test-taking strategies, master content areas, and practice with real exam questions—all tailored to each student's starting point and goals. The national average SAT score is around 1050 (out of 1600), and the average ACT score is about 21 (out of 36), but personalized instruction helps students identify their specific weak areas and improve significantly. Tutors can also help students understand Illinois college readiness benchmarks and plan a test-taking timeline that works with their school schedule.

Yes—tutors help with immediate homework needs while teaching problem-solving strategies and foundational concepts so students can tackle similar work independently. This approach prevents homework help from becoming a crutch and instead builds confidence and competence. For Chicago students juggling multiple classes across different curricula, tutors can prioritize what matters most and connect homework to bigger learning goals.

Varsity Tutors offers personalized tutoring packages designed to fit different budgets and schedules. You can adjust frequency, session length, and focus areas based on your student's needs and your family's situation. Many Chicago families start with 1-2 sessions per week and adjust from there—there's no one-size-fits-all model.

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