In a typical El Paso classroom with a 15:1 student-teacher ratio, teachers must pace instruction for the whole group—which means some students move too fast and others need more time. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction adapts to your student's learning speed, learning style, and specific gaps. A tutor can spend extra time on confusing topics, skip material your student already knows, and use teaching methods that actually click for them.

The first session is about getting to know your student—their strengths, challenges, learning style, and goals. A tutor will assess where they stand academically, ask about specific classes or topics causing stress, and listen to what they hope to improve. From there, the tutor creates a personalized plan and starts building a relationship that makes learning feel less like a chore and more like having a knowledgeable mentor in their corner.

Many 9th graders benefit from a single tutor who can help across subjects—especially for foundational skills like reading comprehension, writing, and problem-solving that apply everywhere. However, if your student needs deep support in specialized areas like advanced math or chemistry, a subject-specific expert may be ideal. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors based on your student's actual needs, so you can start with one tutor and adjust as priorities shift.

The best after-school tutoring does both. Homework is a starting point—it shows what your student is struggling with—but the real goal is building the skills and confidence to tackle similar problems independently. A tutor helps your student understand *why* an answer is correct, not just what the answer is. This approach means your student gradually needs less help and starts feeling more capable in class.

Look for concrete signs: improved grades on tests and assignments, fewer incomplete homework assignments, your student asking better questions in class, or simply less frustration when tackling schoolwork. Many students also report feeling more confident speaking up in class or attempting challenging problems instead of giving up. A good tutor will also check in regularly about progress and adjust the plan if something isn't working.

The right tutor combines subject expertise with the ability to connect with your student. They should ask questions about what your student cares about, adapt their teaching style, and communicate clearly with you about progress. Varsity Tutors matches you with tutors based on your student's specific needs and learning style—so you're not just getting someone qualified, but someone who can actually help your student succeed.

Consistency matters more than frequency. Most students benefit from 1-2 sessions per week, which gives enough time to reinforce classroom learning without overwhelming schedules. The right frequency depends on your student's current challenges, upcoming tests, and how quickly they pick up concepts. A tutor can recommend a schedule based on your student's needs and help you adjust it as the school year progresses.