The best online tutoring services for elementary, middle, and high school students

ArborBridge is widely known for its test prep services, but it also offers top-of-the-line academic tutoring in every K-12 subject. The company has offered online tutoring nationally for 10 years in most school subjects. Its instructors are specially trained to engage students through video chat platforms.

Forging deep connections over video chat is a critical skill, according to Lubovich, who is not affiliated with ArborBridge Tutoring. "The students need to feel connected to the tutor as if they were in person," she said. "How the tutor does that through the screen to reach in and draw them out, that's a skill — and it's really important. Not everyone is going to know how to do that."

Tutors at ArborBridge have a full online toolbox to draw from — from white boards to shared screens to interactive capabilities — and are constantly adjusting the tools and techniques they use to meet the unique needs of each student.

Every ArborBridge tutor graduated from a top-rated liberal arts or research university and has significant teaching and tutoring experience. Beyond these requirements, tutors go through a rigorous interview process to evaluate their competence, according to the company's website.

ArborBridge features a comprehensive student-tutor matching program for elementary, middle, and high school students. The service is by far the most expensive on this list, with rates ranging from $145 to $160 an hour, but parents can request a 30-minute free demo session before committing. ArborBridge also offers pre-purchase package discounts of 5% and 10%.

Pros: Distinguished tutors, highly personalized interactive experience, covers many subjects

Cons: Expensive, website can be difficult to navigate

INC Education is the largest online tutoring program for BIPOC students. Since 2013, INC Education has expanded its program from a one-man show — founder Jay Veal — to 100 tutors in many subjects (including dance!) and 10,000 students across the United States.

Veal started as a math teacher who was frustrated by the lack of diversity in the educational field. According to studies, students have more academic success when they are taught by same-race and same-gendered teachers, yet most school teachers are white women.

"Staff diversity is huge," said Jackman. "The role model effect is real. There's so much evidence and research that shows that having one teacher of the same race is enough to give the student ambition and drive. You don't know what you can be if you don't see it."

The Dallas-based, national program INC Education, which stands for "It's Not Complicated," features a staff of more than 40 BIPOC tutors, many with master's degrees. Veal, who delivered a TED Talk, has won several awards for the program, including the 2019 United Nations Global Leadership Award Honoree for SDG 4 Goal of Quality Education.

Before beginning instruction, INC assesses every student and treats them like "little brothers and sisters," according to Veal. The service also incorporates each student's parents into the process and, if needed, their school teachers. Students can choose the ethnicity and gender of their tutor, and every program is individually tailored.

The average cost is $65 an hour, but Veal said that each family receives a unique price package depending on their needs.

Pros: Racially inclusive, affordable

Cons: Some subjects not available, like computer science or Chinese language

Varsity Tutors has over 40,000 tutors across the country and is a popular choice for parents seeking quality, vast subject options, and affordability.

The service started in 2007 and has been mostly online for five years. Despite being one of the larger programs, Varsity rigorously vets its applicants through simulations, background checks, and interviews.

CEO Chuck Cohn said on the company's website that Varsity has turned down tutors with perfect scores and grades because they weren't able to convey information in an comprehensible way.

"One of the biggest things I tell my parents is to look for someone who makes a good connection with your student," said Lubovich. "Because it doesn't matter if they know the math. If they don't connect, they don't do well."

Varsity Tutors uses a placement algorithm. After meeting with an educational consultant, students are matched with an appropriate tutor through the algorithm based on things like schedule, educational needs, proficiency, learning style, interests, and goals.

At $50 an hour, Varsity Tutors is one of the more affordable picks in this guide.

Pros: Affordable, vast options, placement algorithm

Cons: None

Special Education Resource provides comprehensive online tutoring for kids with IEPs. They are deeply committed to that goal, from assessment to evaluation.

The company has been offering online tutoring for six years. Many other tutoring services provide qualified special education academic tutoring, but Special Education Resource has always been singularly focused on it.

Uniquely, the tutors are all part of the staff and are not independent contractors. This is a deliberate rule meant to create a family, according to co-founder Luke Dalien. All instructors have a four-year degree in special education as well as classroom experience.

"Not everyone is equipped for special education instruction," Lubovich said. "If a family has an IEP, they need to look for people who have been specifically trained."

Special Education Resource creates a very individually tailored experience for each child. In fact, Dalien said he personally meets with every parent individually, multiple times.

Students undergo a thorough assessment so they can be matched with the right instructor and they also receive a specialized learning plan. Because of this, the rates vary widely depending on need.

The average cost for a tailored program is $275 per month, but rates can vary widely from $35 to $2,000 per month.

Pros: Personalized attention, comprehensive approach, neurodiversity welcome, singular focus

Cons: Can be expensive

Central Park Tutors offers K-12 homework help and academic coaching in many basic subjects like physics and history. While it serves all children, the service also offers specific methods like the Orton-Gillingham and Wilson multisensory reading systems designed for kids with dyslexia.

Many tutoring programs were launched by entrepreneurs, but Central Park Tutors was founded in 2005 by two teachers and scholars: husband and wife Mike Wallach and Susana Kraglievich. They now have about 90 tutors on their roster, each with a master's degree or higher.

Its tutors thrive on making information fun and digestible for students who have lost interest in school, or who may have depression or learning disabilities. They abide by the principles of education authors like Alfie Kohn and John Holt, who value unconditional support and respect for students.

"You want a program that will humanize the learning experience and recognize the magnificence of the children's brains and how powerful they are," said Jackman.

Central Park Tutors' intake system is very thorough, with each student receiving a custom plan and well-matched tutor. Despite its name, the service has worked with students from New York to Shanghai. However, most of the tutors are trained and based in New York. An hour-long session costs $110.

Pros: Run by teachers, values neurodiversity

Cons: Does not offer every subject

We looked at many options while choosing the best online tutoring services. Over time, we refined our criteria and had to leave off certain programs, including the following:

• Brain Storm Tutoring & Arts: Brain Storm is an award-winning tutoring program with a hands-on approach. It didn't make it to the top because it is primarily based in New York, New Jersey, and Branson, Missouri, and has only just started to gain national traction. Brain Storm is a great option for kids who need help with basic subjects, as well as ancillary skills like time management, intellectual stamina, and self-confidence.
• K12.com, Skooli.com, Tutor.com, and Wyzant: We did not include these four popular programs because they ask parents to independently choose tutors from a list of profiles. This format may be preferable for some families, but we only only selected programs that utilize a deliberate matchmaking system. These services may good options for parents and students who want complete control over the process.

Not all online tutoring services are created equal, and not all of them will suit your child's specific needs. There are an almost infinite number of programs online, and there is no one set of guidelines. Parents do have plenty of criteria to work with, though.

It's important to look for qualified tutors who generally have a degree in their field and a background in education. Tutors might opt for certification under the National Tutoring Association, American Tutoring Association, or the Association for the Tutoring and Coaching Profession, but there are no laws that regulate tutors or require these certifications.

Lubovich said that two-hour sessions are rare — as they should be — because they're pushing the absolute limit. Sessions should also include some breaks for physical movement, especially when it comes to young children.

Companies should give parents a contract complete with expectations, and they should comply with all children's online privacy laws.

A good tutoring program looks at the whole student rather than simply their grades or test scores. Look for services that assess children in advance and deliberately match them with tutors based on expertise and personality.

Tutoring should also take into account everything that is going on in a kid's life, such as trauma at home, not just scores. Frequent, transparent check-ins between tutors and parents are essential.

"You should be able to ask questions," Jackman said. "What is the staff like, is the learning process transparent, can I come take a peek or see a recorded video? Parents should feel empowered."

The holistic approach is particularly crucial for marginalized students. At a baseline, children with disabilities should be matched with specialized, qualified tutors. However, Jackman argued that tutoring companies should go beyond that by embracing diversity in every form, whether that means having a diverse staff, requiring anti-bias training among tutors, or offering discounts or equipment to lower-income students.

"It's not just about giving kids information, but celebrating who they are," Jackman said.