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Award-Winning High School English Tutors

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

Meet Our Expert Tutors

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

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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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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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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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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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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Sarah

Calculus Tutor • +32 Subjects

I am an incoming freshman at Northwestern University, and I will be studying economics and international studies. I have lots of experience in mentoring students individually and teaching in the classroom through being a student intern for a sophomore honors English class. I love working with students who are preparing for tests or college admissions because it gives me an opportunity to impart my knowledge of the college application process to others and empathize with them on all their concerns. I believe that education and critical thinking are key to expanding your horizons and achieving your goals in life. Hobbies: reading, writing, books, music, art

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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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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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Chelsey

Calculus Tutor • +31 Subjects

I'm a recent graduate of Northwestern University, a native New Yorker, and a recent addition to Varsity Tutors. I grew up in Westchester County, where I volunteered as an assistant creative writing teacher in high school. After high school, I moved to Evanston, Illinois for school. I studied a wide variety of subjects in college: from Medieval Literature to Buddhist Psychology. I moved back to New York after graduating to pursue a career in the arts. I currently work as a reader for the literary director of an Off-Broadway theatre company.

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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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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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