Affordable Tutoring, Not an Oxymoron

We love our children and would do almost anything for them, right?  But for my parents, tutoring does not seem like an affordable option.

While tutoring, like any childhood enrichment program can seem like a budget-buster, there are ways to make it more affordable. The right strategy depends a great deal on your goals for your child. However, with many options, there has to be one that could work for your family.  First, it is important to know that tutoring does not need to be a long-term commitment. Once you realize this, you might feel more willing to explore the options.

Option 1: Group Sessions

The easiest way to make tutoring affordable is to find a tutor willing to do small group work. This allows you share the expense with other families. Many tutors actually prefer to teach in a group.  As a reading tutor, I like the dialogue and conversation that develops in a small group setting. Writing in small groups also offers more opportunities for varied activities during a session. There are two ways to handle small group sessions. First, find families of children who need similar support or enrichment. Don’t worry about whether all of the students need the same support. A good tutor can offer support for variety of learning styles and levels as long as he or she is prepping the same subject.  Another way to handle small group tutoring is to contact the tutor and ask them to help you create the group. 

Option 2: Bi-weekly Sessions

If small group tutoring is not your first choice because your child is shy or won’t seek help in a group setting, arrange for less frequent sessions and homework for between sessions. There is no rule saying that tutoring must be weekly. 

Option 3: Short-term, Focused Tutoring

Tutoring can be short-term. Sometimes a student just needs a jump-start and some pointers to guide him or her in the right direction. See if you can find a tutor to offer you a six session package deal to get your child working up to his or her potential in the area that is most in need. 

Option 4: Parent Coaching

Parent coaching is another great option. Rather than have a tutor meet with your child weekly, hire a parent coach with an academic specialty to help you help your child. At the Mindful Tutor, we offer parents support as they seek to navigate their child’s educational path.  After years of tutoring, we realize some families need help with a variety of tasks. Some want help making a schedule, others can’t figure out why their schedule is not working, and still others seek advice about talking to teachers about their child’s needs.

Other ways to save are being flexible. Can you drive to the tutor? Can you be flexible with your time of day? Whatever your needs, err on the side of simply reaching out. Many tutors can offer financial assistance to families that are truly in