Award-Winning Tutors
serving Chicago, IL
Who needs tutoring?
FEATURED BY
TUTORS FROM
- YaleUniversity
- PrincetonUniversity
- StanfordUniversity
- CornellUniversity
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

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Harleen
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...
University of Chicago
BS

Certified Tutor
2+ years
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...
University of Chicago
AB

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Grishma
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...
Northwestern University
Bachelor
Loyola University-Chicago
Professional (JD, MD, DMD, etc)

Certified Tutor
2+ years
I have years of experience teaching writing and literary analysis in the classroom setting, and years of teaching students one on one.
University of Chicago
AM

Certified Tutor
2+ years
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...
University of Notre Dame
AB

Certified Tutor
2+ years
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, helpin...
University of Chicago
Bachelor

Certified Tutor
2+ years
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 ...
Johns Hopkins University
BS

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Shannon
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...
University of Illinois Chicago
Doctorate (e.g., PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Georgetown University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
2+ years
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 ...
University of Missouri-Columbia
AM

Certified Tutor
2+ years
I am a Northwestern University graduate and received my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Robotics. I have an extensive background tutoring middle and high school students in Standardized Tests as well as helping incoming freshmen acclimate to the college environm...
Northeastern University
Bachelor's
Meet Our Expert Tutors
Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.
Nathan
Pre-Calculus Tutor • +13 Subjects
I'm a friendly and dedicated tutor with a PhD in Physics from the University of Notre Dame and over five years of experience helping students at the middle school, high school, and college levels. I work with a wide range of subjects, including all levels of physics, algebra, calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, statistics, and general problem-solving. My approach is straightforward: meet students where they are, explain ideas clearly, and work together through examples until everything clicks. I value building confidence just as much as building skills. Every student learns differently, so I adapt explanations to match the way they think. The most rewarding part of tutoring for me is seeing students go from "I'm stuck" to "I've got this." If you're looking for someone patient, supportive, and genuinely invested in your progress, I'd be happy to help.
Dejuan
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +15 Subjects
I attended The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and worked part-time tutoring my fellow students in Precalculus. I graduated from the U of I and received my Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Telecommunications and Electromagnetic Theory. After graduation, I started volunteering my time as a tutor and mentor for organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Black Star Project, and Junior Achievement. As a professional tutor, I worked for Huntington Learning Center conducting Math, Science, English, and ACT/SAT prep lessons. While I have tutored a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about Math. Having a clear vision on the importance of attaining a solid understanding of Math fundamentals is one of the keys in building a successful career. And I'm driven to help students reach their academic potential and achieve their goals. In my spare time, I enjoy reading ancient history, playing basketball, and listening to all genres of music.
Brandee
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +16 Subjects
I have been a middle school math teacher for 8 years. I graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Secondary Math Education (grades 6-12). I absolutely love helping students with math. It is something I am so passionate about and love finding new ways to make concepts fun and make sense. If something isn't making sense in the classroom right now, let's work together to figure out a different way to understand it!
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.
Stephen
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +70 Subjects
I am a graduate of Grinnell College, a private liberal arts college located in Grinnell, Iowa. I have a Bachelor of the Arts in Computer Science from Grinnell's Department of Math and Computer Science. Since graduation I have tutored students of a wide variety of ages and background in a number of subjects. I have tutored middle school students in the Chicago area in Math and science and high school students in advanced Math, chemistry, writing, and helped them prepare for standardized tests for college admittance. I have also tutored adults preparing for academic proficiency tests for their jobs and with GRE prep for those interested in going to graduate school. Additionally I have taught English grammar, reading, and conversational skills to ESL students in Chicago, Ecuador, and Colombia. While I tutor a number of subjects, I particularly enjoy helping students with standardized test strategy and following their scores as they increase towards their goal. When I tutor, I aim to lead students to an answer by example so that they can see the reasoning involved themselves, rather than me just telling them the answer. The more the students can come to their own solutions, the more memorable the lessons will be. In my spare time I enjoy reading, playing skill games like scrabble, bridge, and poker, and outdoor activities like biking, camping, and canoeing when the weather is nice.
Jake
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +25 Subjects
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 fostering an interactive learning environment where students actively engage with the material. I believe in the power of practice over passive learning, guiding students to identify their challenges and develop effective study habits. As a National Merit Scholar, I've honed my own test-taking strategies, which I enjoy sharing for SAT prep as well. I'm excited to support you on your academic journey!
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!
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.
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.
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.
Browse Tutors in Top Illinois Cities
Top Subjects in Chicago, IL
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.
Connect with Chicago Tutors
Get matched with local expert tutors