Award-Winning 6th Grade Computer Science Tutors
serving Portland, OR
Who needs tutoring?
FEATURED BY
TUTORS FROM
- YaleUniversity
- PrincetonUniversity
- StanfordUniversity
- CornellUniversity
Award-Winning 6th Grade Computer Science Tutors serving Portland, OR

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Erik
I am a graduate from the University of Florida, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I have graduated with scholarship honors in Chemical Engineering with a Bachelor of Sciences from University of Florida, Masters of Computer and Information Technology from UPenn,...
University of Pennsylvania
MMG

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Apoorv
As a master's graduate in Applied Computing with a Computer Science background and over two years of hands-on software development experience, I'm all about making learning fun and engaging! I've had the chance to teach students of all ages, from 5th graders to college students studying Computer Sci...
University of Windsor
Master's/Graduate

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Jai
I'm a recent Stanford graduate (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), and have been working at a major Management Consulting firm for a few years now. I personally scored a 2360 (out of 2400) on the SAT and 35 on the ACT and was successful in gaining admission to several top universities. I'...
Stanford University
Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Certified Tutor
I am a licensed physician from Florida who is currently changing careers. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 and have extensive tutoring and editing experience. While a student, I became a certified writing tutor through the Critical Writing Department. Since I completed my writ...
Nova Southeastern University
PHD, Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelors, History
University of Pennsylvania
undergraduate

Certified Tutor
Kate
I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Masters, Environmental Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelors

Certified Tutor
Erika
I am available to tutor middle and high school math, history and test prep. I have tutored math and history in the past and I previously taught a test prep course at a school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have a lot of experience teaching all the need-to-know tricks to doing great on the SATS/ACTS! When I am...
Harvard University
Master of Public Policy, Public Policy

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Rhea
I am a current student at the University of Chicago. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and I am on the pre-medical track. I am extremely passionate about tutoring, and I have several years of experience tutoring students in my high school's learning center in various...
University of Chicago
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Jeffrey
I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science
Rice University
Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering

Certified Tutor
Matthew
I'm a highly creative person who works best with visual thinkers. Very recently graduated from Stanford University, I majored in Human Biology with a concentration in Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Science. Technical though my background may be, I am currently gigging as a singer/songwriter/composer i...
Stanford University
Bachelors in Human Biology (concentration in Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Science)

Certified Tutor
13+ years
MaryAnn
I am a published author who has enjoyed “coaching” our daughter, as she navigated through high school, college and graduate school. I mentor college juniors who are seeking careers in financial services, and I serve as a peer resource to professionals who are transitioning from private industry to t...
University of Pittsburgh
Bachelor of Science, English, Psychology
Other Portland Tutors
Related Technology and Coding Tutors in Portland
Frequently Asked Questions
Most 6th grade computer science programs introduce foundational concepts like computational thinking, basic programming logic, and problem-solving strategies. Students typically learn block-based or beginner-friendly languages (like Scratch or Python), explore how algorithms work, and complete small projects that reinforce these concepts. The focus is on building confidence with coding fundamentals rather than memorizing syntax.
Debugging is one of the most valuable skills in computer science, and it's where personalized 1-on-1 instruction really shines. A tutor can walk your student through the process of reading error messages, isolating problems in code, and using systematic approaches to fix them—rather than just telling them the answer. This builds the problem-solving mindset that's essential for long-term success in coding.
Programming logic is about understanding *how* to solve a problem (breaking it into steps, using loops, making decisions), while syntax is the specific rules of a programming language. For 6th graders, logic is far more important—they can always look up syntax later. A tutor can help students focus on building strong logical thinking first, which makes learning new languages much easier down the road.
Computer science is a skill that requires doing, not just watching. Typing code, running it, seeing what breaks, and fixing it builds muscle memory and intuition that lectures alone can't provide. Personalized tutoring sessions give your student dedicated time to write code, experiment with ideas, and get immediate feedback—which accelerates learning far more than classroom instruction alone.
The biggest hurdles are usually understanding how to break complex problems into smaller steps (decomposition), getting frustrated by error messages, and struggling with abstract thinking about how data flows through a program. Many students also find it hard to move from block-based coding (like Scratch) to text-based languages. A tutor can address these specific sticking points with targeted practice and clear explanations.
Building real projects—whether it's a simple game, an interactive story, or a data visualization—gives students context for why they're learning specific concepts. Projects make coding feel purposeful and keep motivation high. During tutoring sessions, a tutor can guide your student through planning a project, breaking it into manageable pieces, and troubleshooting along the way.
The first session is typically about understanding where your student is starting from—what they've already learned, what excites them about coding, and where they're struggling most. The tutor will likely work through a simple coding problem together to get a feel for their thinking style and learning pace. From there, they'll create a personalized plan focused on your student's specific goals and challenges.
Look for tutors with real programming experience and a track record of teaching younger students. They should be comfortable explaining abstract concepts in concrete ways, patient with frustration, and skilled at breaking down complex problems. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have both the technical knowledge and the teaching experience to help your student succeed.
Connect with 6th Grade Computer Science Tutors in Portland
Get matched with local expert tutors