Award-Winning Physics Tutors serving Des Moines, IA

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.

1,000+
Schools &
Universities
98%
Satisfaction
10M+
Hours
Delivered
2x
Growth in
Proficiency
Get Started in 60 Seconds!

Who needs tutoring?

No obligation. Takes ~1 minute.

Sanjana
Certified Physics Tutor
Sanjana
BA Harvard University
6+ Years Tutoring

Serving as a Course Assistant for Harvard's calculus sequence means Sanjana regularly works through the exact derivatives, integrals, and differential equations that underpin every physics topic from kinematics to rotational dynamics — and she teaches AP Physics 1 through AP Physics C: E&M, so she knows where the math starts tripping students up in each course. She breaks problems down by isolating the physical principle first, then building the mathematical solution step by step so nothing feels like a leap. Rated 5.0 by students.

SAT Scores
Composite1560
View Profile
Ava
Certified Physics Tutor
Ava
BA Washington University in St. Louis
3+ Years Tutoring

Engineering students use physics every day, and Ava's dual degree in mechanical and energy engineering means she didn't just learn kinematics, Newton's laws, and energy conservation — she applied them to real systems. She TAed physics-related engineering courses at WashU and tutored high school physics students for several years, so she's comfortable adjusting her explanations whether someone is solving their first free-body diagram or wrestling with rotational dynamics.

ACT Scores
Composite35
View Profile
Certified Physics Tutor
Fred
BA Princeton University
1+ Years Tutoring

A Princeton-trained mechanical and aerospace engineer, Fred spent years solving physics problems that mattered — calculating drag forces on aircraft, modeling orbital mechanics, analyzing stress distributions in structural components. That depth lets him teach everything from Newtonian mechanics to electromagnetism with real intuition about what the equations describe physically. He unpacks the free-body diagrams, energy conservation setups, and vector decompositions that students struggle with most.

SAT Scores
Composite1550
View Profile
Certified Physics Tutor
Derek
BA Harvard University
9+ Years Tutoring

Derek earned a 790 on the SAT Physics Subject Test and scored 5s on both AP Physics 1 and AP Physics C: Mechanics, covering everything from kinematics and energy conservation to rotational dynamics. He teaches physics by anchoring each problem in a free-body diagram or energy diagram first, so students learn to set up solutions systematically before touching equations.

SAT Scores
Composite1550
View Profile
Certified Physics Tutor
Corrina
BA Massachusetts Institute of Technology
4+ Years Tutoring

Corrina doesn't just teach physics — she earned her degree solving physics problems every day as a mechanical engineer. She unpacks topics like Newton's laws, energy conservation, and rotational motion by tying equations back to physical intuition, so students learn to reason through problems instead of hunting for the right formula.

SAT Scores
Composite1580
View Profile
Certified Physics Tutor
Justin
BA Washington University in St. Louis • Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics University of Chicago
9+ Years Tutoring

Three years of tutoring introductory physics at Washington University gave Justin a sharp sense of where students get stuck — usually at the gap between understanding a concept verbally and translating it into a free-body diagram or equation. His dual bachelor's degrees in physics and math, plus doctoral training in computational methods, let him attack problems from both the physical intuition side and the mathematical machinery side. Rated 5.0 by students.

ACT Scores
Composite33
SAT Scores
Composite1560
View Profile
Certified Physics Tutor
Andrew
BA University of North Texas • Doctor of Philosophy, Biomedical Engineering Vanderbilt University
6+ Years Tutoring

A PhD in biomedical engineering built on a bachelor's in physics means Andrew has spent years solving problems across mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics. He teaches physics by emphasizing free-body diagrams, unit analysis, and the habit of translating word problems into mathematical models before reaching for formulas. That systematic approach turns intimidating multi-step problems into manageable sequences.

SAT Scores
Composite1480
View Profile
Certified Physics Tutor
JF
BA Stanford University
6+ Years Tutoring

JF's dual training in mathematics and computer science at Stanford means the calculus and vector algebra that bog down most physics students are second nature — freeing up mental bandwidth to actually think about what's happening physically in a problem. He tackles everything from AP Physics 1 mechanics to AP Physics 2 electromagnetism, and he's particularly effective at teaching students to build equations from diagrams rather than hunting for the right formula to plug into. Rated 5.0 by students.

SAT ScoresPerfect Score
Composite1600
View Profile
Certified Physics Tutor
Abrahim
BA University of California Los Angeles • Doctor of Medicine, Premedicine Medical College of Wisconsin
4+ Years Tutoring

Medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin demands a command of mechanics, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics that goes well beyond intro-level physics — Abrahim applies those principles daily in contexts like blood pressure dynamics and respiratory mechanics. His biology degree from UCLA (cum laude) and a 34 ACT underscore the quantitative chops he brings to breaking down force diagrams, energy conservation setups, and multi-step kinematics problems. Rated 5.0 by students.

ACT Scores
Composite34
View Profile
Certified Physics Tutor
Aaron
BA The University of Texas at Dallas • Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering Duke University
10+ Years Tutoring

Mechanical engineering grad school is essentially applied physics on repeat — Aaron solves statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics problems daily, so the concepts in introductory and AP-level courses are second nature rather than something he has to dust off. He's especially sharp at breaking down free-body diagrams and energy conservation setups, connecting the physical picture to the math so students see why an equation applies instead of guessing which one to use. Rated 5.0 by students.

SAT Scores
Composite1530
View Profile
Certified Physics Tutor
Bidyut
BA Johns Hopkins University
8+ Years Tutoring

Bidyut's dual focus in biomedical engineering and computer science at Johns Hopkins means physics isn't something he studied once — it's embedded in his daily coursework, from mechanics to electromagnetism to fluid dynamics. He teaches students to translate word problems into free-body diagrams and equations systematically, rather than guessing which formula to use. That structured approach, combined with his 5.0 client rating, makes him especially effective for students who feel lost in problem-solving.

ACT ScoresPerfect Score
Composite36
View Profile
Certified Physics Tutor
Steve
MS Washington University in St. Louis • BA Saint Louis University-Main Campus
1+ Years Tutoring

Holding degrees in both mechanical and electrical engineering, Steve has solved the full spectrum of physics problems professionally — from statics and dynamics in mechanical systems to electromagnetism in circuit design. That dual perspective is especially useful when students hit the transition from mechanics to E&M, since he can show how the same problem-solving structure carries across both halves of a physics course. Rated 4.9 by students.

ACT Scores
Composite31
View Profile

Testimonials

Because the right Physics tutor makes all the difference.

4.9

Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings

Worked with a Physics Tutor

Your customer interface is A+, being your agents or your site, The tutor you found for me is perfect, no formulas or canned lectures but easy flowing lecture addressing my needs. Congratulations for a job well done.

JA
Julio Aranovich
Worked with a Physics Tutor

Heejin has been very patient with me. I work a full time job sometimes even on the weekends. It has been a slow process with my Korean classes, but Heejin has been wonderful and patient.

AH
Angela Hussein
Worked with a Physics Tutor

My son has had many quality tutors through this convenient service, and he can hop on at any time of day to get support for a homework assignment or test. It's very convenient and effective.

TR
Tara R
Worked with a Physics Tutor

I've been working with my tutor for a few months now and the progress has been remarkable. The personalized attention and tailored lessons made all the difference compared to in-classroom learning.

MC
Michael Chen
Worked with a Physics Tutor

The flexibility of scheduling combined with the quality of instruction is unmatched. I can get help exactly when I need it, whether that's late at night or early in the morning before a test.

PP
Priya Patel
Worked with a Physics Tutor

My daughter went from dreading her sessions to looking forward to them. The tutor made the material engaging and built her confidence in ways I never thought possible. Highly recommend.

RW
Rebecca Williams

Practice Physics

Free practice tests, flashcards, and AI tutoring for Physics

Physics Practice Hub
Practice tests, flashcards, AI tutor & more

Nearby Physics Tutors

Frequently Asked Questions

Physics students often struggle with visualizing abstract concepts like forces, motion, and energy—especially when trying to connect theory to real-world applications. Many also find unit conversions and equation balancing frustrating, and some have difficulty with the mathematical reasoning required to solve problems. Personalized tutoring helps students build conceptual understanding rather than just memorizing formulas, making physics feel less overwhelming and more intuitive.

Your first session is about understanding where you are and where you want to go. A tutor will assess your current grasp of physics concepts, identify specific areas causing trouble (like kinematics, energy, or circuits), and learn about your learning style. From there, they'll create a personalized plan that focuses on building both your conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills.

Absolutely. Tutors help students understand the scientific method, design experiments thoughtfully, and interpret results—not just complete lab reports. Whether you're struggling with data analysis, understanding why an experiment worked (or didn't), or connecting lab observations to physics concepts, personalized instruction makes the connection between theory and hands-on work much clearer.

Understanding concepts is far more valuable than memorization. When you truly grasp why F=ma or how energy conservation works, you can apply those ideas to new problems you've never seen before. Tutors focus on building that deeper understanding so formulas make sense and you can use them flexibly—this approach leads to better test performance and genuine confidence in physics.

Most Iowa high schools follow a standard physics curriculum covering mechanics (motion, forces, energy), waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, and sometimes modern physics or thermodynamics. Some students also take AP Physics or honors physics with more advanced content. Tutors working with Des Moines students are familiar with these sequences and can target exactly what your school covers.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors for students in Des Moines who specialize in physics at any level—from introductory high school physics to AP Physics or college-level courses. You'll be matched with someone whose expertise and teaching style fit your needs, and tutoring is personalized to your specific goals and pace.

Physics problem-solving is a skill that improves with guided practice and feedback. Tutors help you develop a systematic approach: understanding what a problem is asking, identifying relevant concepts, setting up equations correctly, and checking whether your answer makes sense. Working through problems together with real-time feedback builds confidence and helps you tackle unfamiliar problems independently.

Yes. Whether you're preparing for a unit test, final exam, or AP Physics exam, tutors create targeted study plans that focus on your weak areas while reinforcing what you know well. They help you practice with past exam questions, develop test-taking strategies, and build the conceptual foundation that makes physics questions feel manageable rather than confusing.

Let’s find your perfect tutor

Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.

Prefer to talk? Call us