What?
The Academy In Manayunk’s outstanding Tutoring Center provides highly individualized diagnostic-prescriptive teaching, tailored to meet each student’s needs ranging from teaching reading readiness skills to providing remediation in various academic areas. Assistance in learning study skills and modes of organization so students can effectively complete academic work is also provided. The Tutoring Service caters to children in grades 1-12.

Where?
Tutoring takes place at the Academy In Manayunk. Tutors work with students from many area schools.

When?
Tutoring may take place at the school during school hours, after school hours (3:00 pm-7:00 pm), and on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Tutoring should occur at least two times a week, preferably three. Less than two sessions a week is counterproductive, as it is extremely difficult to maintain an appropriate level of consistency with single weekly meetings. The length of time for tutoring depends upon the child’s learning prescription designed by the Director of Education. This is individualized, as is each student’s program.

Who?
Tutors are certified teachers who are trained and supervised by the Education Director. The Academy’s faculty has the expertise of being able to teach reading and writing to non-readers and poor readers of all ages. Tutors have significant resources from which to draw from within our institution.

Tutors are primarily:

• Master teachers at the Academy In Manayunk who have teacher certification in the areas in which they provide tutoring.
• Graduate students with teacher certifications
• Certified teachers with additional training in the Wilson Reading Program, Phonographix, RAVE-O or are specialists of content areas (calculus, geometry) who are matched with students requiring the particular expertise of these individuals.

What is the cost?
There is an initial charge of $100 to cover an interview with the Education Director, a review of the student’s records, and all necessary materials. Tutoring costs $75 an hour.

• There is a reduced charge of $70 an hour for current Academy In Manayunk students

How do I apply for tutoring?
For information about the Tutoring Center, call 215-483-2461. To download the tutoring application form, click here.

Steps in Tutoring:

1. Students come to us in one of three ways:
   • Parents of students call directly requesting tutoring.
   • A school calls requesting tutoring.
   • Other professional (i.e. psychologists) call requesting tutoring.
2. All of the available records/testing results/evaluations of a student need to be forwarded to the Education Director. This information helps to provide additional insight concerning the student’s strengths and weaknesses and is invaluable in preparing the most effective teaching plan for the student. If more comprehensive evaluation is required, a referral is made to a diagnostician.
3. The Education Director will meet with the prospective student and his or her parents. The purpose of the meeting is to become acquainted with the student, to observe his or her approaches to informal academic tasks and to become familiar with his or her individual learning style.
4. The Education Director designs an individual learning/tutoring plan based on all formal and informal diagnostic information.
5. A tutor is matched to the student, taking into consideration:
   • Type of tutoring needed and particular expertise.
   • Age of student.
   • Personality and style of learning.
   • Time (hours, days, number of lessons per week).
6. A contract must be signed by the student’s parent prior to the start of tutoring.
7. The Education Director meets with the tutor to explain the student’s individualized tutoring plan, and to review the materials being used.
8. Tutors consult frequently with the Education Director concerning questions of student performance, use of materials, teaching methods, and student progress. We believe that the tutor-student relationship should be kept as free and uncomplicated as possible. All students and families are encouraged to contact the Education Director if any concerns arise.
9. The Education Director evaluates the student’s progress on a regular basis. The program is adjusted according to the individual’s needs and rate of progress. Sometimes the tutoring indicates that a student needs to be in a different education setting and continued tutoring may or may not be prescribed. Most students do not need extended periods of tutoring. Usually, as a student acquires skills, learns how to use strategies to his or her advantage, and can function more independently, a recommendation will be made for tutoring to be discontinued. The goal of the Academy In Manayunk’s Tutoring Center is to equip each student to move ahead successfully.
10. Tutors keep detailed records of lesson plans, diagnostic information, observations, methods, and materials. At completion of the total number of lessons contracted, a final report is written and sent to the parents of the student. This report will include strengths, weaknesses, preferred or most effective methods of teaching, and choice of materials.