Top Private Math Tutors In Philadelphia, PA

In the School District of Philadelphia (SDP), math tutors support students as they work through the Illustrative Math (IM) curriculum, which prioritizes problem-based learning over memorization.

A tutor can work with your child on the Pennsylvania Core Standards, such as fractions and decimals in 4th grade or ratios and proportional relationships in 7th grade.

For a high school student, a math tutor in Philadelphia can support your student through the Algebra I sequence (an important gateway for graduation), including linear functions and quadratic equations.

Many Philadelphia tutors can support learners of all ages. For elementary students, this includes the foundational skills required by the SDP, such as multiplication and decimals.

For middle and high school students, a math tutor can provide support for Pre-Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, and Statistics.

Some tutors may even support college-level subjects such as Finite Math, Geometry-Topology, and Combinatorics (with topics such as manifolds, integrals, transcendental functions, and infinite series).

Whether your student is attending an SDP school, private academy, UPenn, Thomas Jefferson University, or Saint Joseph's University, a math tutor can align lessons with their specific goals as well as state and institution standards.

The best approach is to look for a math tutor located in or around Philadelphia who knows the Pennsylvania Core Standards and is familiar with the IM curriculum that the SDP uses.

It’s also helpful to find a tutor who can come to your home. This saves you from navigating heavy Philadelphia traffic and lets your student learn in a familiar environment.

Finally, look for a tutoring service that background-checks their tutors so you have safety and peace of mind when bringing someone new into your home.

In Philadelphia, math tutoring can cost between $50 and $150 per hour, depending on the tutor’s experience and how advanced the subject is.

For example, helping an elementary student with long division is generally more affordable than hiring a tutor who can support a high-school student with AP Calculus or preparation for the senior-level Keystone exam.

Yes, a math tutor can support your student as they complete their homework and work toward understanding the concepts in the SDP’s Illustrative Math curriculum.

For a middle schooler, this might mean ratios and proportional relationships, while a high schooler might focus on linear functions and data analysis.

As a result, homework support may lead to better test preparation. With a foundation of good homework under your student’s belt, the tutor can shift focus to review for the Pennsylvania System School Assessment (PSSA) or higher math Keystone Exams, as well as other graduation requirements.

In the SDP, the Illustrative Math curriculum requires elementary-aged kids to show a deep understanding of numbers and operations.

A math tutor can support your student as they study concepts such as place value, measurement, and basic data analysis to prepare for the PSSA and middle school math.

Additionally, Philadelphia has several magnet and criteria-based schools, including public schools like Julia R. Masterman Secondary School and Franklin Learning Center, as well as specialized and private schools such as The Haverford School and Steppingstone Academy.

A math tutor can work with your child early in their education to prepare them for the selection process for these schools.

Math in Philadelphia middle schools moves from arithmetic to abstract algebraic concepts like variables and integers (part of the Illustrative Math 6-8 program). Students may find this jump challenging, and a tutor can provide a safe space to ask questions.

A Philadelphia math tutor can also help your middle school student prepare for the PSSA tests and high school placement. This is especially beneficial if your student is applying to an elite high school in Philadelphia, like Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) High School.

High school math in Philadelphia involves preparing students to pass the Pennsylvania Keystone Exams on their way to post-secondary education (college, trade school, or university).

For many high schoolers, the Algebra I curriculum that focuses on linear functions and data analysis can be very demanding. A tutor provides support for your student as they manage their workload and build their understanding of subjects like Algebra II, Geometry, and Trigonometry.

Beyond the classroom, math tutoring can be beneficial as your student prepares for the SATs and ACTs during their junior and senior years.

Philadelphia is known for its higher education, with schools such as Temple, Drexel, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Math at this level moves much faster than in high school, and courses like Quantitative Literacy or Stochastic Analysis can be a challenge for new students. A tutor can provide high-level support for these intense curricula.

Tutoring can also help a college student prepare for specialized exams, such as the GRE or GMAT.

The best way to prepare for tests of this kind is to practice and study topics included in the Pennsylvania Core Standards.

For example, the PSSA tests students on concepts such as Numbers and Operations in Base 10 (grades 3-5) and Ratios and Proportional Relationships (grades 6-7). They’ll also need to learn the PSSA’s digital format, which might be challenging for young learners.

For the Keystone Exams, a tutor can focus on supporting your student’s understanding of specific topics, such as Linear Functions and Data Organization.

In most cases, private math tutoring in Philadelphia is considered a personal expense and is not tax-deductible. However, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind.

If a doctor or specialist recommends tutoring to treat a diagnosed learning disability, it might qualify as a medical deduction on federal taxes.

Additionally, some Philadelphia parents may be able to use funds from a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) under very specific conditions.

Since tax laws can change, it’s always best to consult with a local Philadelphia tax professional to see what qualifies for your specific situation.