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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
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
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
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
Justin

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Justin

Doctor of Philosophy, English
Justin's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills
SAT Writing and Language

Ten years of college-level English instruction — capped by a PhD in the field — means Justin has watched hundreds of students make the same leap high schoolers need to make: from summarizing what a text says to arguing what it does and why it matters. He treats sessions as collaborative workshops, p...

Education

University of South Carolina

Bachelor in Arts, English

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Doctor of Philosophy, English

Test Scores
SAT
1530
David

Certified Tutor

6+ years

David

Current Grad Student, Bioethics and Medical Ethics
David's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
AP Chemistry
Biochemistry

A neuroscience degree from Yale required more writing than most people expect — analytical essays, research papers, and close readings of dense scientific literature. David applies that same rigor to high school English, breaking down thesis construction, textual evidence, and paragraph-level argume...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience

Harvard University

Current Grad Student, Bioethics and Medical Ethics

Test Scores
ACT
33
Felix

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Felix

Associate in Science
Felix's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

Felix's background as a university TA means he's spent years giving detailed feedback on essays and guiding students through close reading — exactly the skills that drive success in high school English. He digs into thesis construction, textual evidence, and literary analysis with the kind of specif...

Education

University of Chicago

Associate in Science

Test Scores
SAT
1540

Meet Our Expert Tutors

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

Molly

8th Grade math Tutor • +86 Subjects

I am an Illinois certified Teacher in grades K-9. I attended Northwestern University and received a Master's of Science in Education. I have ample classroom experience and expertise in elementary Math and Reading intervention. I have several tools and resources from various curricula to work with and would love to help your students in any elementary or middle school subject area. For the past three years, I have been working as a classroom Teacher in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade classrooms, teaching students with a variety of needs. I can also tutor students through high school and college in History and Spanish as I hold degrees in both subjects from Columbia University. I am highly qualified to tutor Writing at all levels - from elementary to adult professional writing - as I have written two distinguished theses as part of my academic training.

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Benjamin

AP Statistics Tutor • +43 Subjects

I am a 2023 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Finance/Economics major and a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I am a passionate student in the math and business realms, as I enjoy the intuitiveness of the former and the real-world potential of the latter. During classes in middle and high school, I developed a reputation of being a good source of help within my classes in a non-tutor capacity, and grew that into a peer tutor role a couple times a week during lunch my senior year of high school. What I hope to accomplish with my tutoring is ensure that you not only achieve your desired grade/score, but see how the different concepts relate to each other in the bigger picture. The more important part is to critically think about the subject matter in other, more unfamiliar contexts. Also, in my math subjects, I seek to provide personal secrets in realms including quicker computation strategies, unique acronyms for certain rules, and other intuitive shortcuts.

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Andrew

Calculus Tutor • +30 Subjects

I am a graduate of the University of Chicago, class of 2012. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature and Theater and Performance Studies. Since graduation, I have continued to live in Chicago. I am a founding member of First Floor Theater, a Chicago storefront theater company that is in its third season. I've tutored for several private clients in the past, of a variety of age ranges and backgrounds. I've tutored a variety of subjects, ranging from Science to Spanish. Additionally, I teach acting classes at a studio in Chicago at night. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about English Language and Literature--particularly plays. In the past, I've had the most fun teaching students how to think critically about their reading assignments and how to write. I believe that both of these skills are invaluable to any student, and eventually, to any adult. I also believe very strongly in the value of education--I am very fortunate to have studied at excellent schools, and I try to encourage all of my students to make the most out of every educational opportunity. When I'm not tutoring, I can usually be found at the theater, either as an audience member or on the stage. I am an avid Chicago Bulls fan, and enjoy catching a game whenever I can. I also love to camp--it can be a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the city.

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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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Yusef

Calculus Tutor • +15 Subjects

I am a Gates Cambridge Scholar and recently completed my MPhil in Development Studies at the University of Cambridge. This fall, I will begin my legal education at Yale Law School. I believe that my achievement on the LSAT and in the law school application process, as well as my two years’ worth of part-time tutoring experience, have enabled me to help others successfully navigate the process of preparing for a legal education. Hobbies: art, books, reading, writing, music

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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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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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Rebecca

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +48 Subjects

I am a graduate of Northwestern University where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. I am currently pursuing a masters degree in social work at the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. I am passionate about tutoring because I want everyone to be able to perform academically at their highest possible level. I also think it is important that learning is not just for one assignment or one test, but rather that it sticks with you to build a solid foundation of knowledge and confidence that you can carry forward. My favorite subjects to tutor include English, SAT test preparation, math, and psychology. My approach to tutoring is to meet the student where they're at and go from there. I find that this way we can build a productive tutoring relationship where I can help individualize learning to each person's particular learning style. Outside of academic interests, I enjoy cooking, being with friends and family, traveling the world, and looking as ridiculous as possible doing Zumba.

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Mimi

Middle School Math Tutor • +31 Subjects

I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all subjects, I take a creative, inquiry-based and learner-centered approach, designing opportunities for each unique individual to meet their learning goals.

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Allan

12th Grade math Tutor • +85 Subjects

I'm a big Boston Celtics fan and I speak three languages. I can get you the test results you need to succeed because I went through the exams myself and performed well. The first time I took the SAT I actually wasn't satisfied with my score, so I spent 2 months working hard to get my score to where I wanted it to be. The second time I took the exam I saw a 200-point increase. Previously, I have had experience teaching the SSAT and the SAT. The student I tutored in SSAT successfully passed the exam is now attending a private high school abroad. With VarsityTutor's online learning platform, I will be able to transfer knowledge in a visual, easy-to-understand manner. I look forward to being your tutor and helping you reach your academic goals. :)

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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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