The ideal time to start is early in the school year—ideally September or October—so tutors can identify gaps before they compound and help your student build strong habits from the start. However, tutoring can be beneficial at any point during the year, especially if your student is struggling with a specific class or preparing for midterms and final exams. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can assess your student's current level and create a plan that fits your timeline and goals.

In a classroom with 24 students, teachers must move at an average pace and can't address individual learning gaps. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to slow down, repeat concepts, adjust teaching methods, and focus entirely on your student's needs. This targeted approach helps students build confidence, fill foundational gaps, and actually understand material rather than just keeping up—which leads to better grades and stronger long-term learning.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who specialize in specific subjects, so you can find expert support whether your student needs help with Algebra I, English, Biology, History, or any other 9th grade course. Many families work with multiple tutors across different subjects, while others focus on one subject at a time depending on their student's priorities. Tutors can discuss your student's schedule and help you determine the best approach.

The first session is typically an assessment and goal-setting meeting where the tutor gets to know your student, reviews current coursework, and identifies specific areas that need support. The tutor will ask about your student's learning style, what's been challenging, and what goals you'd like to achieve—whether that's raising a grade, preparing for a test, or building confidence in a subject. This foundation helps the tutor create a personalized plan for the weeks ahead.

Yes. Long Beach has 8 school districts with 118 schools, and Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who are familiar with California's standards and the specific curricula used across Long Beach schools. Tutors can align their instruction with what your student is learning in class, reinforce key concepts, and prepare them for district assessments and benchmarks. When you connect with a tutor, you can share your student's school and course details so they're prepared from day one.

This depends on your student's needs and goals. Many students benefit from one or two sessions per week, which allows time to practice concepts between meetings and see steady progress. Some students need more intensive support during exam periods or when tackling difficult units, while others do well with less frequent check-ins once they've built momentum. Tutors can recommend a schedule based on your student's situation and adjust it as needed.

You'll see progress in multiple ways: improved grades on assignments and tests, increased confidence when discussing the subject, better homework completion, and stronger understanding of concepts. Most tutors check in regularly about what's working and adjust their approach if needed. Within 4-6 weeks of consistent tutoring, you should notice meaningful changes in your student's performance and attitude toward school.