Award-Winning Tutors serving Chicago, IL

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Competitive college admissions, rigorous AP coursework, and ACT targets well above the national average of 21 — Chicago families have a lot riding on academic performance. Whether a student is navigating CPS curriculum, honors-track coursework, or standardized test prep, the difference between good and exceptional often comes down to focused, individualized attention that a classroom of nearly 18 students per teacher simply can't provide.

The first session with a matched tutor begins with a real assessment — understanding your student's goals, current level, and the specific curriculum their school follows. From there, Varsity Tutors builds a personalized plan covering everything from algebra and AP sciences to SAT/ACT strategy and college readiness benchmarks. Tutors are background-checked independent professionals matched on subject expertise, learning style, and scheduling needs, so sessions stay productive and consistent.

Award-Winning Tutors serving Chicago, IL

Emma

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Emma

AB
Emma's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Elementary School Math
ACT English
ACT

I'm a third-year PhD candidate at Harvard University studying computational biology. I tutor all elementary subjects, high school subjects including advanced placement level courses and college level chemistry, biology, computer science, and English coursework. More specifically, I am highly qualifi...

Education

University of Chicago

AB

Harleen

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Harleen

BS
Harleen's other Tutor Subjects
1st-5th Grade Math (in Spanish)
1st-5th Grade ELA (in Spanish)
6th Grade AP Language Composition
AP Statistics

I am a Molecular Engineering major at the University of Chicago, I am currently taking time off to focus on other aspects of my career but I don't want to stop tutoring outside college campus!. I am a child of immigrants and have spent my life tutoring my siblings and younger students, and I loved...

Education

University of Chicago

BS

Curran

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Curran

AB
Curran's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra

As a professional educator with over a decade of experience, I specialize in delivering personalized, high-impact instruction across the humanities, test preparation, and college readiness. I've taught everything from early literacy and middle school ELA to AP-level history, civics, and economicsand...

Education

University of Notre Dame

AB

Jake

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Jake

Bachelor's
Jake's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math
Geometry

My passion for tutoring stems from my experience as a TA, where I discovered that effective teaching goes beyond just delivering content; it's about building relationships and instilling confidence in students. With over two years of tutoring experience in math and computer science, I focus on foste...

Education

Carleton College

Bachelor's

Karis

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Karis

BS
Karis's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Neuroscience
AP Chemistry
Chemistry

I received a B.S. in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. After graduating, I moved to Nashville where I worked in a lab at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for a year. I then earned my PhD in Biomedical Science at Northwestern University where my thesis focused on ...

Education

Johns Hopkins University

BS

Dwight

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Dwight

AM
Dwight's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Linear Algebra
Finite Mathematics
Statistics

I am a graduate of the University of Missouri at Columbia, where I earned first my Bachelor's and then (some time later) Master's of Science in Mathematics with an emphasis on physics and the theory of computation. The latter degree was a necessary precursor to my next career where my workplace was ...

Education

University of Missouri-Columbia

AM

Shuyi

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Shuyi

MBA
Shuyi's other Tutor Subjects
ESL/ELL
Adult ESL/ELL
English

I am a patient and results-oriented tutor with a strong academic foundation and a passion for helping students build confidence in their learning. With a background in analytical problem-solving and structured thinking, I focus on breaking down complex concepts into clear, intuitive steps that match...

Education

Northwestern University

MBA

Boston University

MBA

Grishma

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Grishma

Professional (JD, MD, DMD, etc)
Grishma's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra
Elementary School Math

I'm passionate about helping students because I've seen how meaningful support can turn uncertainty into confidence. I graduated in the top 10% of my high school class and completed a rigorous AP curriculum in subjects like Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Calculus BC, English, Economics, and Spanish. I...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor

Loyola University-Chicago

Professional (JD, MD, DMD, etc)

Suzy

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Suzy

Bachelor's
Suzy's other Tutor Subjects
ACT English
ACT Reading
AP English Literature and Composition
AP English Language and Composition

I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a major in International Studies in May 2024, with a cumulative GPA of 3.94. From 2024-2025, I was a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Bulgaria. This fall, I completed the LSAT, and I am in the process of applying to law schools. During college, I...

Education

Johns Hopkins University

Bachelor's

Shannon

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Shannon

Doctorate (e.g., PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Shannon's other Tutor Subjects
6th-10th Grade Algebra
9th-12th Grade Spanish
Middle School Math
Elementary School Math

As a passionate tutor in my fourth year of medical school, I am dedicated to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment. With over 3 years of experience, I specialize in elementary through high school subjects, including math, reading, writing, and Spanish, as well as standardized test...

Education

University of Illinois Chicago

Doctorate (e.g., PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

Georgetown University

Bachelor's

Meet Our Expert Tutors

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

Alexander

Writing Tutor • +2 Subjects

I'm a University of Chicago graduate who has spent the last four years working as a local journalist. I'm excited to work with your student on math, writing and reading comprehension, not just building skills but hopefully having fun along the way!

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Jide

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +29 Subjects

I have studied engineering at UIUC and Oakton college, and am currently working on both my Bachelors and Masters degrees at Depaul University for Secondary Math Education. I have been tutoring for about 4 years as volunteering for a local elementary/middle school. Academics have played a major role in my life, as I was a student who personally struggled and took many steps to overcome the challenges presented during my early education. As somebody who has had to work to find new intuitive ways to learn, I highly value the qualities of patience and out-of-the-box thinking to help my students succeed! I have tutored all fundamental subjects for students in K-12. However, as a student currently pursuing a degree in Secondary Education Math, my affinity for tutoring especially lends itself towards STEM subjects. I believe that a vital component to learning is being able to appreciate and enjoy the presented content. I always hope to achieve this by contextualizing topics learned in the classroom, with the goal of helping students grasp the importance and real-world applications of each subject.

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Maureen

PSAT Writing Skills Tutor • +30 Subjects

I'm a journalist and former teacher with experience teaching and tutoring middle and high school students. I earned a bachelor's degree from Yale University and a master's in teaching from the University of Chicago. I especially love working with students on their writing, from school assignments to college essays. It's exciting to see students go from feeling blocked to writing freely and learning to revise and polish their work.

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Anthony

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +15 Subjects

I have a bachelor's of science in mathematics from the University of Illinois Chicago. Additionally, I've tutored for three years, have extensive experience teaching each of the following subjects: K-8 mathematics, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus 1-3, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Statistics, and AP Physics 1, and have a year of experience providing SAT and ACT prep (all sections). After graduating, I've continued to find fulfillment in enriching students' learning experiences by making mathematics easier to understand. During sessions, I prefer to build conceptual understanding through collaborative problem-solving exercises. I tend to employ a "guided discovery" teaching approach and adjust my pace in accordance with the student's comfort with the material.

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Maryam

SAT Reading Tutor • +23 Subjects

Maryam Garba has a track record of successfully teaching and mentoring students of all ages. She grew up in a family of teachers and this inspired her to take on tutoring from a very young age. Maryam is a certified teacher with 12 years of ESL teaching experience along with 6 years of ACT, SAT, LSAT, and TOEFL tutoring experience. Maryam is extremely passionate about helping all students achieve academic excellence. Over the course of her tutoring career, many of her students have become high school valedictorians, AP scholars, Dean's List awardees, scholarship recipients and published authors. However, she also understands that credentials and grades are not everything. Maryam's goal is to inspire a love for learning in all her students. Maryam holds a Master's Degree in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology and African Studies from Stanford University.

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Thomas

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +62 Subjects

I have years of experience teaching writing and literary analysis in the classroom setting, and years of teaching students one on one.

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Elijah

Biology Tutor • +19 Subjects

I graduated from the University of Chicago with a triple major in sociology, music, and media arts. I enjoy explaining the nuances of a text based question, whether it involves reading or math, and I am excited to share this passion with others. Throughout my studies, I achieved the status of National Merit Scholar via my PSAT score of 1480/1520, as well as an SAT score of 1580/1600 (a perfect 800 in math). I have also received a perfect score of 5 in classes such as AP Calculus AB, AP US History, and AP Biology. Over the past year, I have worked with middle and high school students on ISEE and SAT test prep in both group and individual settings. I thoroughly enjoy working to fulfill their educational goals, and I look forward to seeing their scores improve over time as a result of our collective dedication. I believe in delving deeply into core concepts to understand the fundamentals of a problem, which I believe is essential to academic growth. I'm looking forward to working with you!

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Soung

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +29 Subjects

I'm a highly skilled, professional tutor with over 20 years experience. I have an exceptional ability to teach math to students with severe learning challenges. I make all levels of math understandable and foster confidence in the student. I'm also expert in SAT/ACT test preparation and high school admission tests. I have a BA in Chemistry from The University of Chicago and a PhD from Northwestern University. I'm a former research scientist. I enjoy tutoring and have the gift of teaching.

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Daniel

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +12 Subjects

As a dedicated college student pursuing a degree in Computer Science and Economics at The University of Chicago, I have a strong passion for mathematics, particularly in algebra and SAT preparation. With over two years of tutoring experience, I focus on high school and middle school students, helping them identify their strengths and weaknesses to tailor our sessions effectively. I utilize official College Board materials, ensuring my students engage with real SAT problems. My own experience on the SAT fuels my commitment to guiding others through the college admissions process. I believe in fostering a supportive learning environment where students feel encouraged to ask questions and explore concepts deeply. I am excited to help students achieve their academic goals and navigate their educational journeys.

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Diane

Phonics Tutor • +10 Subjects

I love teaching and know how to make teaching fun as well as effective. I have a positive outgoing demeanor which enables me to relate well to children of all ages and abilities.I have taught all elementary school grades, levels and subjects. My expertise is in teaching reading and language arts. My last teaching job was teaching second grade in the Gifted Program at Bell School in Chicago. I also have experience teaching learners who need extra support. I have been certified to teach in New Jersey, Ohio and Illinois. In Illinois I have been certified as an early education teacher as well as a teacher for grades up to grade 9. In conjunction with my library degree from the University of Chicago I wrote a thesis analyzing children's literature.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago's 12 school districts follow Illinois State Standards, which emphasize critical thinking and mastery across core subjects. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps students fill gaps in foundational skills and work at their own pace to meet grade-level expectations. Tutors can align their approach with your student's specific school's curriculum, whether they're in CPS or a neighboring district, ensuring the support directly strengthens performance in the classroom.

Varsity Tutors connects students across Chicago's diverse neighborhoods and school districts with expert tutors who specialize in their specific needs—whether that's test prep, subject mastery, or homework support. Our matching process considers learning style, subject expertise, and availability to ensure a strong fit. With such a large student population, we're equipped to serve learners at every level, from elementary through college preparation.

Chicago's average student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1 means individual students can easily get lost in the classroom, especially those who need extra support or work at a different pace. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction provides the focused attention that larger classrooms can't always offer, allowing tutors to identify knowledge gaps, adjust teaching methods, and build confidence. This targeted support is particularly valuable for students preparing for standardized tests or tackling challenging subjects like math and science.

Chicago students typically seek help with math (algebra, geometry, and test prep), English/reading comprehension, science, and standardized test preparation including the ACT and SAT. Many students also benefit from tutoring in subjects tied to Illinois graduation requirements and college readiness. Varsity Tutors connects students with tutors across all these areas, plus foreign languages, history, and AP/honors coursework.

The first session is an opportunity for the tutor to understand your student's current level, learning goals, and any specific challenges they're facing in their Chicago school. The tutor will assess what's working and what needs improvement, then create a personalized plan moving forward. This initial meeting sets the foundation for productive sessions and helps both tutor and student build rapport.

Expert tutors help Chicago students build test-taking strategies, master content areas, and practice with real exam questions—all tailored to each student's starting point and goals. The national average SAT score is around 1050 (out of 1600), and the average ACT score is about 21 (out of 36), but personalized instruction helps students identify their specific weak areas and improve significantly. Tutors can also help students understand Illinois college readiness benchmarks and plan a test-taking timeline that works with their school schedule.

Yes—tutors help with immediate homework needs while teaching problem-solving strategies and foundational concepts so students can tackle similar work independently. This approach prevents homework help from becoming a crutch and instead builds confidence and competence. For Chicago students juggling multiple classes across different curricula, tutors can prioritize what matters most and connect homework to bigger learning goals.

Varsity Tutors offers personalized tutoring packages designed to fit different budgets and schedules. You can adjust frequency, session length, and focus areas based on your student's needs and your family's situation. Many Chicago families start with 1-2 sessions per week and adjust from there—there's no one-size-fits-all model.

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