Grade Potential connects Chicago, IL, students with experienced private elementary school tutors, at home, on campus, or at a location that fits your schedule.
B.S. in Biological SciencesChicago, IL
Elby is a dedicated Biological Sciences major at the University of California, Irvine, with experience tutoring elementary students in math and reading comprehension, and college students in music theory. She excels at fostering a supportive learning environment and simplifying complex concepts, drawing from her own academic rigor in human physiology and organic chemistry, and her Certificate of Merit in Piano Performance.
M.P.P. in Public PolicyChicago, IL
Deja holds a B.A. in English and an M.P.P. in Public Policy, bringing a passion for empowering students to excel in test preparation and reading. As an SAT Tutor, she specialized in grammar and reading comprehension, nurturing independent learning and critical thinking. Deja's approach builds confidence, encouraging students to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, ensuring they develop skills that extend beyond academics.
Bachelor of Arts in Political ScienceChicago, IL
Bethany is a dedicated student at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Religious Studies. She specializes in tutoring historical, political, and geographical matters, bringing a patient and thorough approach to help students understand complex topics. Her experience as a Resident Assistant and International Affairs Intern has equipped her with strong communication, organizational, and mentorship skills, ensuring your child receives reliable and effective support to develop confidence and understanding.
Associate's DegreeChicago, IL
Rachel holds an Associate's Degree with High Honors from Daytona State College, specializing in General Education and Behavior Studies. She brings a decade of professional experience in customer service and administrative roles, cultivating strong communication and problem-solving skills. Rachel is a patient and flexible tutor who excels at clarifying complex concepts and working collaboratively with students to overcome challenges. Her dedication is rooted in a desire to help students achieve that 'aha!' moment of understanding and build confidence in their learning journey.
M.A. Special EducationChicago, IL
Mingming is a dedicated educator pursuing her M.A. in Special Education, holding a B.A. in Psychology. Specializing in Math and English Language Arts, she tutors students with diverse learning needs, adaptable to Science and History. As an Education Specialist, she achieved 100% reading level growth and 1.35 years overall academic growth for her students. Mingming excels in developing IEPs and BIPs, and collaborates with families in English and Spanish to foster student independence and positive outcomes.
"I love my tutor so much. I was sad when I lost my other one, but when I got matched with Shuktara, she was a very pleasant surprise. She has been so nice and helpful! "
Chicago, IL
"We love our tutor, she is absolutely amazing. professional, always on time, great communication. She's been awesome."
Chicago, IL
"I am very impressed. My tutor was very patient and knew how to divide her time between the material."
Chicago, IL
"We felt the tutoring with Jennifer was excellent!! She got my son to a really good place and we are transitioning to after school reading for "practice" with some high school students. If we ever need services again, we will reach out."
Chicago, IL
"We have been extremely satisfied with our tutor Samuel. He is great and he has really helped her get to where she needs to be. She is now maintaining a B and is continuing to improve daily. "
Chicago, IL
No commute, no waiting rooms, no scheduling around a center’s hours. Grade Potential tutors go to you, whether that is your home, your local library, or a nearby coffee shop. Sessions happen where it is easiest for your family.
Grade Potential connects students with local subject-matter experts based on their grade, specific challenges, learning style, and your family’s schedule.
Safety is our top priority. Every tutor is screened through multiple background checks, consistent with local requirements and platform standards. You can feel confident knowing who is coming into your home and working with your child.
Real results speak for themselves. In a recent survey, 96% of Grade Potential families said they were likely or very likely to recommend us to another family. Every session is built around what your child specifically needs to catch up and get ahead.
Whether your child is working on phonics in kindergarten, multiplication in 3rd grade, or middle school readiness in 5th, Grade Potential makes it easy to connect with a tutor who can support their current coursework and learning goals.
Reading: Phonics & sight words
Math: Counting & number sense
Writing: Letter & name formation
Reading: Decoding & short passages
Math: Numbers sense & counting
Writing: Sentences & capitalization
Reading: Comprehension & vocabulary
Math: Addition, subtraction & time
Writing: Sentences & paragraphs
Reading: Story analysis & details
Math: Multiplication & fractions
Writing: Grammar & paragraphs
Tell us where your child wants to level up and what success looks like for your family. We use that to build a learner profile and match them with the right local tutor.
No sorting through endless profiles and hoping for the best. Grade Potential does the work of connecting your family with an experienced tutor based on your learner’s goals and learning style. We have made thousands of matches. You just have to say yes.
Once you are matched, your tutor comes to you. Sessions happen on your schedule, in a setting that works for you. Your child gets focused, 1-on-1 support from a qualified professional, right from the start.
A tutor with experience in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system can support students in grades K through 5 as they build foundational skills in English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science, and Social Science.
Your student can work with a tutor on a variety of learning objectives, from building vocabulary skills to developing scientific hypotheses to practicing mathematical order of operations.
You may see your student engaging in new behaviors, such as avoiding or taking longer to complete homework or becoming anxious when they sit down to complete their assignments. Your student may or may not want to talk with you about their new challenges.
These new behaviors can suggest that additional academic support would be useful. This support might mean assistance with a specific task, such as reading comprehension, or more generalized support, such as practicing problem-solving across all subjects.
Local independent tutors in Grade Potential’s network can often support students in a variety of subjects taught in the CPS system. For example, a tutor might focus on ELA with your student as they analyze a fictional text, or work with them on measurements in a math unit.
Families can connect with tutors in the Chicago area who have relevant subject expertise and knowledge of the Illinois State Standards. These include concepts like abstract reasoning, Earth’s place in the universe, and recognizing perspectives.
If your student decides to try tutoring, Grade Potential can connect your family with independent tutors in our network who have relevant CPS subject expertise and experience supporting elementary students.
Elementary school tutoring in Chicago typically starts around $30 to $90 per hour, with rates varying based on student needs, tutor experience, and session format. Online tutoring is often available at the lower end of the range, while in-person sessions typically cost more.
To get a more accurate estimate, reach out to our team, and we'll help connect you with a tutor based on your student's current goals and coursework.
Yes, often they can. Providing homework support gives a tutor an opportunity to gain insight into how your student thinks and where they may need to focus. Whether your student is studying phonics or current events, reviewing CPS assignments gives a tutor useful information.
This holds for exam preparation, too. A tutor can support a variety of test-taking skills, such as time management or note-taking strategies. Effective tutors can also focus on specific concepts that need attention, such as defining vocabulary terms or studying scientific formulas.
Yes, Chicago-based elementary school tutors who are familiar with the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) tests in ELA and Math can often support students as they prepare for these exams. The IAR is given to students in grades 3 through 8. Tutors can also help students prepare for the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA), which is given in grade 5.
Tutors can play an important role in elementary school students’ academic lives when they need support. Elementary schools help students develop foundational concepts across subjects. When these concepts make sense to students, they can build confidence as they continue learning.
Independent tutors with elementary school experience can work with students as they build those basic skills, such as reading fluency in ELA and understanding measurements in science.
Find a tutor who is familiar with the Skyline Curriculum and has relevant subject expertise. Look for someone who has experience working with elementary-aged students and enjoys working with them.
You also want to find a tutor with patience and flexibility, someone who can change their approach to match your student’s strengths and learning preferences. Look for a tutor who communicates clearly, has empathy, and can encourage your student.
In-person tutoring gives your student the chance to engage in hands-on learning with their tutor. They might brainstorm a science hypothesis together or break down a math equation into multiple, manageable steps. Based on your student’s responses and engagement, a tutor can adjust their pace or teaching style.
That being said, Chicago is a big city. Online tutoring can be a useful option for families who need more scheduling flexibility or want to work with a tutor who is located farther away.
A learning center may run sessions with groups of students on a set schedule. This can be useful if your student is focused on the same material as the group, and if the schedule lines up with theirs.
If these details don’t align, a Chicago-based independent tutor in the Grade Potential network can tailor instruction around a concept, standard, or curriculum that aligns with your student’s goals. Families can also schedule one-on-one sessions around their busy lives.