Varsity Tutors connects students in Birmingham with tutors who have specialized training and experience supporting learners with various learning differences. When you work with us, we match you with a tutor who understands evidence-based strategies like multi-sensory learning, structured literacy approaches, and executive function support. This ensures your child receives instruction designed specifically for how they learn best.

During your first session, the tutor will get to know your child—their strengths, challenges, learning style, and goals. They'll assess current skill levels in relevant areas and discuss any accommodations or strategies that have worked in the past. This foundation helps the tutor create a personalized plan that builds on what your child does well while systematically addressing areas that need support.

In a classroom of 18-20+ students, teachers have limited time to adjust pacing and strategies for individual learners. Personalized 1-on-1 tutoring allows a tutor to slow down, repeat concepts using different approaches, and immediately adjust based on what's working. This flexibility is especially valuable for students with learning differences, who often need more time to process information or benefit from specialized techniques that aren't always available in group settings.

Progress looks different for each student, but you should see measurable improvements in areas like reading fluency, math computation, organization, or confidence within a few weeks. Your tutor will regularly check in about specific skills being targeted, share observations about what strategies are most effective, and adjust the approach as needed. Many parents also notice improvements in their child's attitude toward learning and willingness to tackle challenging tasks.

Yes. Tutors can reinforce strategies and accommodations outlined in your child's IEP or 504 plan, and they can help strengthen skills in areas where your child is receiving support services. While tutors don't create or modify official plans, they work collaboratively by understanding your child's documented needs and using compatible teaching methods. It's helpful to share your child's plan with their tutor so they can align instruction with what's already in place at school.

Tutors can support students with learning differences across all core subjects—reading, writing, math, and test preparation—as well as executive function skills like organization, time management, and study strategies. The key is that instruction is adapted to match how your child learns best, whether that means using visual supports for reading, manipulatives for math, or breaking tasks into smaller steps. Many students benefit from tutoring in multiple areas simultaneously.

With 118 schools across 5 school districts in Birmingham, students have access to various support services—but personalized tutoring fills gaps by providing intensive, individualized practice outside the classroom. Tutoring reinforces what's being taught at school, targets specific skill deficits more aggressively, and helps your child apply strategies consistently. The combination of school support and personalized tutoring often leads to faster progress than either alone.