Award-Winning ISEE Tutors
serving Philadelphia, PA
ISEE
Tutors in Philadelphia
Private 1-on-1 tutoring, weekly live classes for academic support, test prep & enrichment, practice tests and diagnostics, and more to elevate grades and test scores.
Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
UniversitiesSchools & Universities
DeliveredHours Delivered
ProficiencyGrowth in Proficiency
Who needs tutoring?
No obligation. Takes ~1 minute.

I'm currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at Temple University. I love working with children and young adults, and I'm thrilled to be spending some time tutoring this spring.

I am originally from New York City and am a student at the University of Pennsylvania studying Political Science, Economics, and Psychology. Having gone through high school and the whole college process within recent memory, I am at the unique intersection of having a very current understanding of the challenges, and of having gained experience and perspective from college. I started tutoring as soon as I had real knowledge to share, which for me was in the eighth grade. In the way a six-year-old might feel an unwavering sense of duty and pride from being charged with returning scissors to the desk, I felt the true significance of the job I had been given. Tutoring has never lost this importance for me and I continue to approach each student with the same level of preparation and commitment as I did all those years ago. As both a nationally-ranked swimmer and a student I learned meticulous organization and time management. I have seen success in my own pursuits and in those of the students I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. I am invested, reliable, and capable. I look forward to meeting you!
I am a very passionate teacher who has worked in public and private school settings at both the high school and college level. I have an undergraduate mathematics degree, and taught AP Calculus at a North Carolina high school. I also have a PhD in philosophy, and have taught at major research universities in Missouri and Ohio. I am personally invested in my students' success, and take pride in being clear, conscientious, and accessible.
I am a first year medical student who is excited to teach others! I would love to help anyone who needs help with tutoring in the sciences or SAT prep. I have a very flexible schedule so I am willing to work around other students' schedules. I can't wait to help!
I'm eager to encourage and assist students in continuing their education and pursuing their dreams.
I am an experienced teacher with over 7 years' experience teaching a variety of ages and subjects. My areas of expertise include ESL, writing, music, and the general education curriculum. Outside of teaching, I spend my free time hiking, reading, doing yoga, and playing with my dog. I look forward to working with you!
I am currently a student at Carnegie Mellon University studying Physics and Engineering. I have a strong interest in aerospace engineering and fluid dynamics.
I am a senior at Bryn Mawr College majoring in Sociology and minoring in Child and Family Studies and Education. I am currently wrapping up my teaching certification program teaching American History in a Philadelphia public school. I have extensive experience teaching and tutoring English, History and essay writing with elementary, middle and high school students. I strongly believe learning is a collaborative, student directed process and I love helping students acquire long-term learning skills. My favorite part of teaching is watching students gain confidence and pride in their work; eureka moments make my day!
I am a senior Psychology, Spanish, and Religion major, and I have been tutoring for over ten years. I love working with students of all ages, and I have five years of experience working with students with learning differences! I specialize in English literature, writing, learning differences, and Spanish.
I am a graduate of Loyola Marymount University with an undergraduate degree in Spanish, and I am currently a visual artist pursuing further studies in digital and web design.
I'm passionate about guiding high schoolers through the college application process. The admissions process is probably one of the most confusing, anxiety-inducing experiences you'll have in high school, but I'm full of ideas for making the entire process as successful and stress-free as possible. I've successfully guided many students through every stage of admissions -- from figuring out where to apply and then staying organized and on-track, to "packaging" themselves and producing a perfect personal statement -- and I love witnessing them achieve their admissions dreams.
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.
I am a high school history teacher who has also worked as a teaching assistant at one of the country's top 10 colleges. I've taught ACT/SAT prep for about 4 years to students at all ends of the academic spectrum: from those working with learning disabilities/accommodations & struggling with timing to those trying to achieve perfect scores. Although I always create individualized plans, I focus on teaching every student the most effective, step-by-step way to approach each question on each section of the test. Beyond test prep, I've taught/tutored just about every academic subject through the undergraduate level. Outside the classroom, I enjoy reading about history, going to church, coaching sports (track & tennis), and spending time with my family. I really enjoy getting to know each student I teach as we work toward our goals.
I am currently in the process of applying to Law School. I have tutored middle school and high school students in subjects ranging from 5th grade reading to geometry to the SAT. While I am happy and able to tutor a number of subjects, I am most passionate about Test Prep because these scores are very important to students, and I enjoy helping them to conquer the test and succeed. My teaching philosophy can be described as a coaching style in which, like athletics, I believe learning the subject matter, good techniques, and constant practice are the best ways to achieving better scores.
I am an experienced tutor specializing in one-on-one SAT test prep. I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, earning a bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology with College Honors, and I am currently working toward my PhD. I have been tutoring for six years, working for well-known test prep companies in addition to volunteering for nonprofit educational organizations around the world. I offer SAT test prep, AP test prep, and academic tutoring in English, History, and Social Studies. I also offer assistance with academic essays, college admissions essays, and college applications.
I am pursuing a career as an actor, but am thrilled to continue to flex my intellectual side and share my passion for learning with the next generation. In college, I studied Cognitive Science, not so much as a fallback career, but because I am fascinated by the subject. I succeeded in getting into Northwestern without the aid of any academic tutors or test prep classes. As such, I am confident in my standardized test-taking abilities, and happy to share the strategies I used for the ACT, SAT II, and AP tests. I am also prepared to tutor a variety of academic subjects as well, as reflected by my approved courses. I look forward to working with you!
I am applying to medical school and I'm enrolled at the BU Medical school getting my Master's in Medical Science. As a recent graduate of Princeton University, I have realized the importance of the learning process. Often times the difficulty of the material comes from the unfamiliarity of the approach to it, rather than the inherent difficulty of the material. As a tutor, I hope to help my students realize that they can master the material when they learn the best learning strategies to approaching their various assignments.
I am currently a law student and am on the road to appreciating a new kind of study: that of various legal doctrines, statutory interpretation and methods of argumentation.
I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, where I attended Menlo School, one of the top private high schools in California. Given my educational background, I am no stranger to the pressures facing today's students--from schoolwork to extracurriculars to college applications and test prep, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That's why one of my main goals as a tutor is to ease the stress in students' lives. I'm here to help your workload feel manageable (and hopefully fun!) and to encourage you to do your best work. I take this attitude and my teaching style and adapt it to the needs of each individual student. We'll work together to figure out how YOU learn best, what approaches work well for you, and ultimately, how we can achieve your goals. Whether you're a struggling student who needs a patient and a new way of explaining concepts, or a star student who wants a tutor who will challenge you at new levels, I can help you get there. I am passionate about making every student feel confident and prepared, no matter the academic situation.
I have been tutoring for over 12 years. I have worked with many different students in many different subjects. I've worked as a classroom teacher and instructional content creator, as well. My favorite part of tutoring is knowing that I am making a real difference for my students. I am looking forward to helping more students achieve their academic goals!
Testimonials
Because the right ISEE tutor makes all the difference.
Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
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Frequently Asked Questions
The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) is a standardized test used by independent and private schools to assess student readiness for admission. Many Philadelphia-area independent schools, including those in the city's competitive private school network, require or recommend ISEE scores as part of their admissions process. The exam tests verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and mathematics achievement across different levels depending on grade.
The ISEE has four levels: Primary (grades 1-2), Lower (grades 3-4), Middle (grades 5-6), and Upper (grades 7-11). The level your child takes depends on their current grade and the grade they're applying to enter. For example, a student in 6th grade applying to 7th grade would typically take the Middle Level ISEE. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who specialize in preparing students for the specific ISEE level they'll face.
Many students struggle with the ISEE's time constraints—the exam requires quick thinking and efficient problem-solving across four sections. Verbal reasoning questions often challenge students who haven't developed strong vocabulary or reading comprehension skills, while quantitative sections can be difficult for those with gaps in foundational math concepts. Additionally, the test's format and pacing differ significantly from classroom learning, which can cause anxiety. Personalized tutoring addresses these specific gaps by targeting your child's individual weak areas rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Most students benefit from 2-4 months of focused ISEE preparation, though the ideal timeline depends on your child's current skill level and target schools. Students with strong foundational skills may need less time, while those addressing specific gaps in math or reading may benefit from longer preparation. Starting early allows for spaced practice and retrieval practice—proven learning techniques that help material stick—rather than cramming close to test day. Tutors can assess your child's readiness and create a customized prep schedule.
Group test prep classes follow a fixed curriculum for all students, but personalized 1-on-1 instruction adapts to your child's specific strengths and weaknesses. A tutor can identify whether your child struggles with reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, or test anxiety—and focus time accordingly—rather than reviewing material your child already knows. This targeted approach typically leads to faster improvement and higher scores, especially for students with significant skill gaps or learning differences. Personalized instruction also allows tutors to teach test-taking strategies that match your child's learning style.
In the first session, a tutor will assess your child's current skills, discuss their target schools and score goals, and identify specific areas for improvement. This might involve reviewing a practice ISEE section, discussing past test experiences, and understanding your child's learning style and preferences. From there, the tutor will create a customized prep plan with a realistic timeline and clear milestones. This diagnostic approach ensures that every tutoring hour is spent addressing your child's actual needs rather than generic test prep.
Score improvement varies based on starting point and effort, but students working with tutors typically see meaningful gains within 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation. Some students improve by 5-10 percentile points, while others see larger jumps if they had significant skill gaps or test anxiety. The ISEE uses a scaled score system (typically 760-940 for Upper Level), and even small improvements in raw score can translate to meaningful percentile gains. A tutor can set realistic goals based on your child's baseline performance and target schools' typical score ranges.
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who specialize in ISEE preparation and understand the needs of Philadelphia-area students applying to independent schools. You can share your child's grade level, current skills, and timeline, and we'll match you with a qualified tutor who fits your family's needs. The first step is a conversation about your goals—whether your child is aiming for a specific school or score target—so we can find the right fit.
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