Academic Tutoring & Support

A Compassion-Based Approach

The academic confidence of young learners takes years to develop but can be lost in months. A brief illness, an inexperienced teacher, a mismatch in learning style, or just plain old bad luck can lead to knowledge gaps and poor test grades. Left unresolved, these can snowball into self-doubt, anxiety, more knowledge gaps…and even worse performance on tests.

We often find that students who come to us with academic issues are trapped in this vicious cycle, and are more intimidated by their fear of the material than the material itself. They tell themselves that they are just “not good at it,” and when faced with the unfamiliar, they give up, check-out, and withdraw.

The classroom waits for no-one, but one-on-one tutoring is an ideal environment to bridge knowledge gaps, re-build confidence, and help struggling learners catch up via focused, personalized attention.

To that end, our tutors aim to be relatable, positive role models who are fully invested in their student’s success. We understand that everyone learns differently and we have the freedom to select teaching methods that are best suited for each student.

We backtrack to solidify foundational skills, and work with each student’s attention span and personality to introduce them to unfamiliar concepts in a gradual but captivating manner. We explore various approaches to individual problems and help students see the connections within and between subjects.

Most importantly, we strive to instill in our students the idea that learning is a fun, empowering, creative activity, and that “being good” at math and science – or just about anything else – is a skill that they can master, not an innate character trait.

Mastery creates real, earned confidence, and that confidence allows students to bravely tackle new and unfamiliar problems, both in the classroom and in life.

We transform “I don’t know how to do this” into “I know I can figure it out!”

We Can Help With:

Elementary School

With ever-increasing academic pressure, some elementary students begin to struggle with math as early as third grade.

These early challenges can lead to strongly held beliefs about their abilities, sowing seeds of self-doubt.

We create a nurturing environment to rebuild confidence and foster a love for learning.

Fundamentals

  • Master Common Core Math (Grades 3–5): arithmetic, fractions, problem-solving.
  • Explore Common Core Science (Grade 4): basic experiments, scientific inquiry.
  • Build foundational skills for long-term success.

Intro to Standardized Testing

  • Prepare for STATE TESTS with confidence-building strategies.
  • Develop early test-taking skills for future exams.
  • Address content gaps in math and ELA.

Learning Support

  • Build skills in Common Core ELA (Grades 3–5): reading comprehension, vocabulary.
  • Address ADHD and learning challenges with tailored strategies.
  • Develop a growth mindset to approach learning with confidence.

Middle School

Middle school introduces complex subjects and higher stakes, where knowledge gaps can lead to frustration or withdrawal.

Students may start believing they’re “not good” at certain subjects, losing confidence.

Our tutors use tailored strategies to bridge gaps and transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

Math & Science Core

  • Excel in Common Core Math (Grades 6–8): Pre-Algebra, Algebra I.
  • Master Earth Science and Common Core Science (Grade 8).
  • Shrapen problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

High School Entrance Prep

  • Prepare for SHSAT, ISEE, SSAT, and state exams for high school admission.
  • Learn strategies to ace general standardized tests.
  • Close content gaps in math, science, and reading.

Academic Growth

  • Strengthen Common Core ELA (Grades 6–8): essay writing, reading analysis.
  • Develop study skills: note-taking, organization.
  • Support for learning challenges like ADHD.

High School

High school students juggle rigorous coursework, exams, and college prep, where struggles can feel like personal setbacks.

Anxiety or disengagement often stem from feeling overwhelmed.

Our tutors empower students to master tough material and approach challenges with resilience, both in academics and beyond.

Advanced Math & Science

  • Master Regents and AP Math courses: Algebra I/II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Statistics.
  • Excel in science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics: Regents & AP Level.
  • Hone sophisticated problem-solving skills.

College Readiness

  • Prepare for SAT, ACT, and Regents exams with proven strategies.
  • Develop study skills: time management, rubric adherence.
  • Strengthen content knowledge for standardized tests.

Mindset & Self-Reliance

  • Take charge of education by setting and pursuing academic goals.
  • Cultivate a growth mindset to embrace responsibility for your learning.
  • Build habits for self-directed study and time management.

College & Beyond

While our focus is K–12, select tutors with advanced expertise support college or graduate students tackling complex courses or exams. If you’re navigating challenging material, our math and science specialists provide targeted guidance to help you succeed.

Student Success Stories

Read stories about BMT students who achieved their academic goals… and then some.

Case Studies

Getting Started

Every engagement with Brooklyn Math Tutors begins with a free, one-on-one consultation. This 20-30 minute chat gives us a opportunity to learn about your child— their struggles, strengths, and goals—whether they’re wrestling with math anxiety, slipping behind in science, or gearing up for a big exam. We’ll ask questions, listen closely, and offer our expert suggestions on the best way for them to move forward, which might not always mean tutoring.

If tutoring feels like the right solution, we’ll work with you to build a bespoke plan tailored to your child’s needs, designed to rebuild confidence and make learning feel exciting again. From there, our simple four-step process will guide you and your child through starting tutoring with confidence.

Step 1 – Setting Goals

The most important thing when starting tutoring is to have a set of clear, realistic goals. Is it an improved grade on the report card? Passing the final? Increased confidence with the material? Overcoming Math Anxiety?

Sometimes the goal is not immediately clear, but you are starting to suspect that your child is falling behind, and you want to know what’s really going on. An experienced tutor can quickly assess students’ strengths, weaknesses, and knowledge gaps. They can then help set realistic goals and lay out a study plan.

Step 2 – Session Frequency And Duration

Many parents call us thinking that their children need far more tutoring than they actually do.

For standard academic support – that is, when there are no current emergencies – we suggest one session per week, with a length of 1 to 1.5 hours per session.

For students who are struggling with the current material, have significant knowledge gaps, and need to catch up, we might suggest two sessions per week, with a length of 1 to 2 hours. Once the student catches up, we will usually scale back to one session per week.

Only when there is an emergency, such as an upcoming final that the student might fail, do we recommend more than two sessions per week.

Step 3 – Tutor Selection and Scheduling

Tutors are matched both by availability and personality.

Although we will do our best to fulfill all requests, students who have flexible availability will have a significantly broader range of tutors to choose from than those whose schedules are more restricted.

To get a good personality match, we will ask you about your child’s temperament, activities, and hobbies. Do they play sports, mountain-climb, paint, perform in a band, or act in plays?

Great – our tutors do as well!

Step 4 – Planning Your First Session

To get the most out of the first session, we strongly recommend that you speak to the tutor over the phone well in advance of the appointment.

If at all possible, dedicate a distraction-free space for your child to work with your tutor. Read more about setting up a good study space here.

Before the session, make sure your child has all of the relevant materials. This usually includes recent homework assignments, tests, and anything else your tutor recommended during your conversation.

For more details, see this article on how to get the most out of your tutoring sessions.

Ready To Get Started?

Whether you’re ready to begin tutoring or want to discuss your child’s needs with our team, fill out the form below to book a free, no-obligation consultation with our team.

Please share any challenges your student faces as well as their goals or learning preferences. Feel free to include as much detail as you’d like about any circumstances, preferences, or other relevant personal factors that might help us best support them—we’re here to help!
Please include your availability for a consultation, or leave blank if you just have a question. We’ll email you to confirm a scheduled time.

Brooklyn Math Tutors Blog