Award-Winning High School English Tutors

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Award-Winning High School English Tutors

Kate

Certified Tutor

Kate

Masters, Environmental Engineering
Kate's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus

Kate's engineering training might seem unrelated to English, but environmental engineering demands precise technical writing — constructing clear arguments, supporting claims with evidence, and revising until every sentence earns its place. She applies that same discipline to literary analysis essay...

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Masters, Environmental Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1580
Jessica

Certified Tutor

Jessica

PHD, Medicine
Jessica's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
Honors Chemistry

Certified as a writing tutor through Penn's Critical Writing Department — the first freshman accepted into the program — Jessica learned early how to give precise, actionable feedback on essays, a skill she's been sharpening ever since across years of tutoring and editing work. She teaches students ...

Education

Nova Southeastern University

PHD, Medicine

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelors, History

University of Pennsylvania

undergraduate

Test Scores
SAT
1540
Erika

Certified Tutor

Erika

Master of Public Policy, Public Policy
Erika's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

Essay writing clicked for Erika during her Master of Public Policy program, where every assignment demanded a clear argument backed by evidence from complex source material — the same skill set high school English requires for literary analysis and persuasive writing. She brings that policy-trained ...

Education

Harvard University

Master of Public Policy, Public Policy

Test Scores
ACT
32
Tiffany

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Tiffany

Juris Doctor, Legal Studies
Tiffany's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

Between a business degree and a law degree, Tiffany has spent years dissecting arguments, analyzing tone, and writing under pressure — exactly the skills high school English demands. She breaks down literary analysis essays by teaching students to identify rhetorical strategies and support claims wi...

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor in Business Administration, Accounting

University of Chicago

Juris Doctor, Legal Studies

Test Scores
SAT
1440
ACT
31
MaryAnn

Certified Tutor

13+ years

MaryAnn

Bachelor of Science, English, Psychology
MaryAnn's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SAT Reading
SAT Writing and Language

As a published author with a background in both English and psychology, MaryAnn brings a dual lens to essay writing and literary analysis — she teaches students not just how to structure an argument, but how to read characters and narrators with real psychological depth. That combination is especial...

Education

University of Pittsburgh

Bachelor of Science, English, Psychology

Test Scores
SAT
1520
Sharon

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Sharon

Master of Science, Journalism
Sharon's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

A full year embedded in a middle school classroom through City Year taught Sharon something most tutors don't get — a ground-level view of how students actually struggle with reading and writing, not just how curricula assume they do. Her UChicago training in public policy analysis and her journalis...

Education

Columbia University in the City of New York

Master of Science, Journalism

University of Chicago

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1550
Tony

Certified Tutor

Tony

Bachelor of Science in Biology
Tony's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Biology
High School Biology

Between his biology coursework at Yale and his freshman counselor role advising incoming students on academics, Tony got used to reading critically across disciplines and explaining complex ideas in clear, organized prose — skills that transfer directly to literary analysis and essay writing. He tea...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Test Scores
SAT
1540
Benjamin

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Benjamin

Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship)
Benjamin's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Trigonometry
Middle School Math
Calculus

Most of Benjamin's academic life has been spent in numbers — finance, economics, statistics — but that analytical wiring turns out to be surprisingly useful when a high school English assignment asks students to build an argument from textual evidence and defend it logically. He treats essay structu...

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship)

Test Scores
Perfect Score
ACT
36
Molly

Certified Tutor

Molly

Master of Science in Education
Molly's other Tutor Subjects
1st-8th Grade math
1st-8th Grade Writing
1st-8th Grade Reading
Pre-Algebra

Two distinguished theses — one in history, one in education — gave Molly deep practice in literary analysis, argument structure, and evidence-based writing, the exact skills high school English demands. She breaks down everything from close reading of novels to crafting thesis-driven essays, making ...

Education

Northwestern University

Master of Science in Education

Columbia University in the City of New York

Bachelor in Arts, History

Test Scores
SAT
1480
Andrew

Certified Tutor

Andrew

Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature and Theater and Performance Studies
Andrew's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills
SAT Reading

Founding a storefront theater company in Chicago means Andrew lives inside texts — breaking down how a playwright's language choices create character, tension, and meaning on the page before they ever reach the stage. That habit of close reading, sharpened by his University of Chicago English degree...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature and Theater and Performance Studies

Test Scores
SAT
1480
ACT
32

Meet Our Expert Tutors

Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.

Justin

Calculus Tutor • +28 Subjects

I am a college instructor with ten years experience in the classroom as a teacher and tutor. Originally from South Carolina, I went to school in Pennsylvania and currently live in Alabama. I believe that students learn best through practice and approaching learning through a relaxed lens, thinking about the larger, structural questions behind their concerns in order to gain a broader and more inclusive understanding of the subject matter. My tutoring philosophy stems from the belief that students and tutors are peers, and that collaboration is the best means for students to learn, not just reciting or memorizing what I might suggest. Working together, and making sure students take ownership and pride in their work, leads to a stronger educational foundation, both in our tutoring sessions and the student's future.

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Andrea

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +35 Subjects

I am also adept in tutoring english grammar, language, and literature. There are few things I enjoy more than a true challenge, whether it be physical or mental. I aspire to be a great inventor and hope that my ideas and creations may simplify life as we know it and bring health, comfort, and joy to the masses. My favorite book is "Good Omens" by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett and I recommend that everyone read promptly.

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David

Calculus Tutor • +37 Subjects

I am a graduate of Yale University, where I received my Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. While I tutor a broad range of STEM subjects, I am most passionate about helping students achieve their best possible score on tests like the ACT and MCAT.

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Felix

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +35 Subjects

I am excited to be working with Varsity Tutors because I enjoy teaching and getting to share some of my academic experience. I have done a little tutoring, but most of my teaching experience is in the university setting as a TA. I'm particularly excited about biology and psychology, where I have the most experience. I also really enjoy reading and writing.

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Scott

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +25 Subjects

I'm Scotty! I am currently a senior at Harvard College pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a secondary (minor) in Theater, Dance, and Media. I know full well that struggling with course material is tricky to navigate; I have not always felt comfortable going straight to the professor or teacher to ask for help. That's why I love tutoring - I aim to be a helpful resource for students, blending the toughness of a coach with the warmth and comfort of a friend to provide the best atmosphere for those I tutor. Hobbies: art, books, dancing, reading, music, writing, singing

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Laura

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +38 Subjects

I am a good "fit" for that student, so that we are able to work together to reach the student's goal.

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Michael

Calculus Tutor • +24 Subjects

I am currently a fourth year medical student at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and graduated Suma Cum Laude from Yeshiva College with a BA in Biology and Music. As a Writing Center tutor, I worked with undergraduate and graduate students looking to improve their writing, and have also tutored Regents-level biology and chemistry. Most recently, I tutored for Kaplan, teaching an MCAT preparatory course and working one-on-one with students. When not studying, I like to ride my bike, train Taekwondo, play blues guitar (or bass, or piano, or saxophone, or drums), and read a good book.

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Lauren

Middle School Math Tutor • +46 Subjects

I am a student at Duke University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with Chemistry and German minors. On campus I am involved in the Bilbo lab, which focuses on neuroimmune interactions in abnormal brain development. I am very passionate about helping others enjoy and learn about various fields in STEM.

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Jacob

Calculus Tutor • +33 Subjects

I am eager to help students thrive because I'm still very much a student myself, and will be for the foreseeable future. Though I enjoyed my time as an undergraduate student in Literature, and learned quite a bit during my time at Vanderbilt, there's still more work to be done. I am working towards a Master's degree, and will continue on from there.

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Esther

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +35 Subjects

I'm currently a Junior at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics and a 2014 graduate of Phillips Academy. As a product of great tutoring myself, I focus on being patient, flexible, and kind with all of my students. Outside of my academics, I'm a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and am heavily involved in student theatre, usually directing 2 productions each year. Dogs of any and every breed, iced coffee, and spending time in NYC are a few of my favorite things!

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Frequently Asked Questions

High school students commonly struggle with essay organization and thesis development—knowing how to structure arguments and support claims with textual evidence. Literary analysis is another major challenge, as students learn to move beyond plot summary to interpret symbolism, theme, and author's purpose. Many also find themselves battling writer's block during timed writing assignments, and they often need help understanding the difference between grammar correctness and stylistic voice. Citation formats like MLA and APA can feel overwhelming when first introduced, and managing revision strategies—knowing what to change and why—is a skill that takes focused practice to develop.

A tutor can work with you to break down essay structure into manageable pieces: identifying your central argument, building topic sentences that support that argument, and gathering evidence from texts that actually proves your point. Rather than just telling you what's wrong, a tutor helps you see how each paragraph connects to your thesis and how to revise weak claims into compelling arguments. This personalized feedback on your drafts—sentence by sentence—shows you patterns in your own writing so you can apply those lessons to future essays.

Summary tells what happened; analysis explains why it matters and how the author creates meaning. When analyzing literature, you're examining how literary devices like symbolism, imagery, tone, and character development work together to develop theme. A tutor can help you move past "the main character learned a lesson" to deeper observations like "the author uses water imagery throughout the novel to represent the character's emotional transformation." This shift from plot-focused to craft-focused reading is crucial for high school English success and requires practice identifying evidence and making meaningful connections.

Strong writers break writing into stages: planning (outlining your argument), drafting (getting ideas down without perfectionism), revising (restructuring for clarity and flow), and editing (fixing grammar and style). Many high school students skip planning entirely and jump to drafting, which leads to disorganized essays and writer's block. A tutor can help you develop a process that works for your brain—whether that's detailed outlines, mind maps, or talking through ideas first—and teach you revision strategies that focus on big-picture issues before sentence-level fixes. Building this habit early makes timed essays and longer projects far less stressful.

Citations serve two purposes: they give credit to authors whose ideas you're using, and they allow readers to find your sources. MLA and APA have different rules for in-text citations, Works Cited pages, and formatting, and using the wrong format can actually lower your grade even if your essay is strong. Rather than memorizing every rule, a tutor helps you understand the logic behind citations and shows you how to use reference tools effectively. Once you grasp the pattern—whether it's MLA parenthetical citations or APA author-date format—applying it consistently becomes much easier.

Academic writing doesn't mean robotic or boring—it means clear, purposeful, and evidence-based. Your voice comes through in word choice, sentence rhythm, and how you connect ideas, even within formal essay structures. A tutor can help you identify your natural strengths as a writer and show you how to use them strategically: if you're good at vivid description, you might use precise imagery in your analysis; if you're witty, you might craft sharp topic sentences. The key is balancing personal style with the expectations of academic writing, which takes feedback and revision to develop.

Active reading—annotating as you go, asking questions about character motivation and symbolism, and connecting scenes to larger themes—helps you retain far more than passive reading. Many students read but don't engage, then struggle to remember details for essays or discussions. A tutor can teach you annotation strategies tailored to how you learn best, help you identify what's actually important to remember versus minor plot points, and show you how to take notes that support both comprehension and essay writing. These skills compound over time, making longer books and complex texts increasingly manageable.

Teachers often provide feedback on finished essays, but a tutor can work with you during the writing process—on drafts, outlines, and revisions—to help you understand your own patterns and make intentional choices. One-on-one feedback allows a tutor to explain why a sentence isn't working, show you examples of stronger alternatives, and help you practice the same skill on new writing. This ongoing, conversational feedback helps you internalize revision strategies rather than just fixing one essay; you learn principles you can apply to every piece of writing going forward.

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