Grade Potential connects Chicago, IL, students with experienced private elementary school tutors, at home, on campus, or at a location that fits your schedule.
Master's Degree in EducationChicago, IL
Karen is an educator and licensed social worker with a Master’s Degree in Education from Cleveland State University. With over two decades of experience in social work and law enforcement, including teaching adults a cognitive thinking class, she brings a patient and perceptive approach to tutoring. Karen focuses on creating a supportive learning environment where students feel heard and engaged, helping them build confidence and succeed.
B.A. in Sociology/Early Childhood EducationChicago, IL
Damaris is a passionate early childhood educator and a graduate student in Mental Health Counseling. With a B.A. in Sociology and Early Childhood Education from Lehman College, she offers comprehensive academic, social, developmental, and emotional support to children. Damaris has experience as a Lead Teacher and working in therapeutic settings, utilizing differentiated learning techniques and her deep knowledge of child development to help students thrive in both one-on-one and group environments.
Bachelor of Arts in Graphic DesignChicago, IL
Sergio is a dedicated Graphic Designer and Photographer with a Bachelor of Arts from Instituto Superior de Diseño Industrial. With over a decade of professional experience, including significant roles at Universidad Central Marta Abreu de Las Villas and extensive freelance work, Sergio excels in layout design, corporate identity, and photography. He is passionate about sharing his expertise in digital and print media, helping students master creative software and develop strong visual communication skills.
Mathematics with specialization in Finance an...Chicago, IL
Estefania is a University of California, Irvine graduate with degrees in Mathematics and Quantitative Economics, specializing in tutoring Algebra, AP Calculus, and college-level math. With over five years of experience, she helps high school and college students by adapting to their learning styles and providing practical strategies for understanding complex concepts and excelling academically. Fluent in Spanish, Estefania also offers support in language learning.
Bachelor of MusicChicago, IL
Hannah is a passionate music educator and language instructor with a Bachelor of Music from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music and TEFL certification. She specializes in piano and voice instruction, as well as teaching English as a foreign language. Hannah’s diverse experience includes teaching children's choirs, leading vocal sections at Christ Cathedral, and tutoring English in Germany, all while fostering a love for learning and building student confidence.
"We love our tutor Kristina. It has been a very positive experience. The kids really enjoy working with her and they both have learning issues. She does a great job figuring out how to best assist them. "
Chicago, IL
"Our tutor Braylisa is a perfect match for my daughter! She relates to my daughter so well, and we are looking forward to a great long-term tutoring relationship with her!"
Chicago, IL
"I want to say that his tutor was amazing! She is so good and so sweet and so patient. His grades have gone up. He made A/B honor roll for the year thanks to Alyssa's support. She was a lifesaver. "
Chicago, IL
"Our tutor did an amazing job. Our daughter was borderline ready to flunk, then he came in and she had a major improvement."
Chicago, IL
"Ms Karen has been an amazing tutor for our child. She knows exactly how to work with him and how he learns best. Due to her, Zachary has brought up his reading proficiency by 2 grade levels in one semester! "
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.