Subjects & Test Prep

We can help students navigate their algebra class or ace their SAT. We can help them write their very first essay or the one they’ll send out with college applications.

Whatever the subject or area of need, we are here to help.

Subject Support

Math Subjects

When it comes to learning how to learn, the field of mathematics is excellent ground to stand on. Here, we can practice critical thinking, problem solving and logic skills that crossover well with subjects of all kinds. Rather than focus on rote memorization and algorithmic learning, we work on creative problem solving techniques that use what we know to discover what we don’t.

We can help you with the following math classes:

This list is not exhaustive. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, reach out to see if we can help.

You can also check out our Math Tutoring Services in Portland and Portland Math Tutor pages to learn more.

Science Subjects

The physical and life sciences around us affect us everyday directly and indirectly. Together we can break down the scientific process and tap into what it is to be a scientific thinker. The more that we think about the learning process, scientific thinking becomes more and more accessible. We can fine tune the building blocks to gather our big picture of systems at play when we’re learning science.

We can help you with the following science classes:

This list is not exhaustive. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, reach out to see if we can help.

If you’d like to learn more about our Science Tutoring Services in Portland, please click here.

English Literature & Writing

Reading and writing are essential forms of communication. We all do them every day. By learning to read more deeply and write more effectively, we not only improve our skills for class, but also for connection.

We can help you with the following English classes:

This list is not exhaustive. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, reach out to see if we can help.

If you’d like to learn more about our English Tutoring Services in Portland, please click here.

World Language

We want to empower you not only to succeed in school but also to express yourself. We approach language learning as an opportunity for future connection, focusing on grammar and vocabulary in their authentic contexts and using research-backed language learning strategies.

We can help you with the following world language classes:

This list is not exhaustive. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, reach out to see if we can help.

The Humanities: History, Philosophy & Social Studies

Whether history, philosophy, or another discipline, the humanities help us understand our world. In mastering these subjects, we will connect the material to both other ideas and our own experiences. By accessing this relevance, we will uncover the human in the humanities and apply our learning to our lives.

We can help you with the following Humanities classes:

This list is not exhaustive. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, reach out to see if we can help.

Academic Coaching

Academic challenges are not always subject specific. Sometimes the difficulty is in juggling a full course load while staying organized and accountable. Or maybe you struggle with taking good notes, which in turn makes it hard to do your homework or prep quizzes and tests. Academic coaching addresses these types of struggles with the goal of improving academic performance across the board.

On the surface, we help with assignment completion & quiz / test preparation for whatever classes you’re struggling in. On a deeper level, we emphasize foundational skills such as executive functions, reading comprehension, written & verbal communication, or critical thinking so that you become a better student even once your tutoring program ends.

Call us to learn more about our academic coaching.

College Testing & Admissions

College Admissions Counseling

The college admissions process is long and multifaceted. Cultivating a good GPA, test scores and extracurriculars are big parts of guiding and limiting the college selection process, but that is only the beginning.

Of the nearly 4,000 universities in the U.S., how do you find the right schools for you? Factors such as preferred major, culture, location, cost, scholarship opportunities, etc. can turn this question into an overwhelming research project. And once you have your list of schools and scholarships, the task of writing application essays, gathering required information, and submitting on deadline is typically a months long journey.

Our college admissions counselors can help you every step of the way, from school and scholarship selection to application essay writing and submission, as well as providing organizational support and goal setting.

Call us to learn more about our college admissions counseling.

College Application Essays

College applications are composed primarily of transcripts, test scores, and application essays. Increasingly, the importance of test scores is fading and the importance of application essays in on the rise. Coupled with the fact that you can write your essays in a matter of weeks, compared with the years of sustained effort that goes into your GPA, and you can see that a great college essay is the single most important effort in making your application stand out.

Unlike the expository style typical of most high school writing, successful application essays are all about honest personal exploration and creative storytelling. It can be uncomfortable and alien to turn the focus onto ourselves. It can also be difficult to judge the difference between good and great writing when dealing with such personal material. On top of all that, if you are applying to a long list of colleges, you may have several different personal essays to write, each with their own unique opportunities and constraints.

Our college essay tutors can help you brainstorm topics, work through revisions, and ultimately capture your unique voice and vision on the page. We value the end result, a great personal essay that will make your application stand out. But even more so we value the process of getting to know yourself, your memories, and what matters to you most. You bring the personality and we’ll guide you through meaningful self-exploration and creation.

Call us to learn more about our college essay tutoring.

ACT / SAT Prep

The SAT and ACT are unlike the other tests you encounter in high school. They’re comprehensive, covering a wide range of concepts in Math, Science, Reading and Writing. They’re fast, with an average of 50-70 seconds per question. And they’re long, coming in at just over 3 hours.

Because of the unique characteristics of these tests, succeeding on the SAT or ACT requires a unique set of test taking skills and strategies. Our test prep tutors focus on developing those unique skills and strategies alongside the improvement of your math, science, reading, and writing foundation.

Big picture, these tests are flawed assessment tools that tell an incomplete story about student aptitude. The clear goal is to get the best score possible, but lets work towards that goal with the understanding that it doesn’t define you. Let’s also pay attention to the deeper value in practicing deductive reasoning, creative problem solving, prioritization and time management that are inherent in the test taking strategies we’ll explore.

If you’d like to learn more about our Portland SAT Tutoring and Portland ACT Tutoring, please click here.

Beyond the Classroom

Executive Functions

The things that hold us back in school and in life are not always obvious. Sometimes it’s stress, disorganization, time-management issues or a lack of motivation. These challenges aren’t typically addressed in the curriculum, but they influence our academic performance all the same. We can work with you to build up your executive skills, build confidence, and overcome barriers to success of all shapes and sizes.

Call us to learn more about our executive functions tutoring.

Summer Programs

Summer is the perfect time to refresh your skills and prepare for the new year. Together, we can work on better developing math foundations or working ahead into new concepts. We can practice writing, gear up for the college essay, or prepare for the SAT. Summer is when you get to decide what is important. Whatever it is, we can help.

Call us to learn about our summer tutoring programs.

Homeschool Support

Learning from home is the ultimate opportunity for personalized education, but it’s not without its challenges. Whether you’re starting homeschool for the first time or a homeschooling pro, we can help you navigate the curriculum, discover new resources, and develop yourself as an independent learner.

Call us to learn more about our homeschool support.

How In-Person Tutoring Works

In-Person tutoring is typically conducted in the student’s home. We also call this “In-Home Tutoring”. Our tutors live and work across the city of Portland, and when matching you with a tutor, we try to choose one that is already close by, making it easy for them to fit you into their schedule / commute. Ideally, nobody has to drive across town at rush hour, and you especially enjoy the convenience of meeting out of your own home.

In-Person tutoring can also happen at a public meeting space such as a library or cafe. If your home isn’t an ideal option (maybe you live outside the city or your home doesn’t have a quite space free of distractions), we would choose a mutually convenient location.

We don’t maintain a physical tutoring office because frankly, offices are expensive. Most of our students prefer meeting in-home, so we’ve ditched the office and passed those savings along to you.

Small Group Classes

Online SAT Test Prep Course

The SAT is unlike the other tests you encounter in high school. It’s comprehensive, covering a wide range of concepts in Math, Reading and Writing. It’s fast, with an average of 70 seconds per question. And it’s long, coming in at 3.5 hours.

Because of these unique characteristics, succeeding on the SAT requires a unique set of test taking skills and strategies. In this course, we focus on developing those unique skills and strategies alongside the improvement of your math, reading, and writing foundation.

We work with small groups (3-6 students) in order to leave room for personalized support and topic review. We utilize high quality free resources instead of expensive proprietary ones and pass those savings on.

Course Details:
Week 0: 80 question diagnostic assessment
Week 1: Heart of Algebra / Reading
Week 2: Passport to Advanced Math / Writing & Language
Week 3: Problem Solving & Data Analysis / Grammar & Effective Language Use
Week 4: Additional Topics in Math / Test Taking Strategies
Week 5: Proctored Practice Test (3.5 hour session)
Week 6: Selected Topics Review / Test Taking Strategies
Week 7: Selected Topics Review / Test Taking Strategies
Week 8: Selected Topics Review / Final Assessment

2021 Schedule:

T.B.A.

Tuition:

$945. Includes 21 hours of virtual class time and one virtual proctored practice test.

Call us at (971) 266-0321 or email eric@emergenttutoring.com to enroll today. Minimum 3 students required.

Online College Admissions Essay Course

The college admissions essay is completely different than most of the writing you do for school, and the coronavirus means colleges are looking at essays more than ever.

This class will take the stress out of writing your essay, making the process not only manageable but also rewarding.

Together, we will work from initial brainstorming through final revisions. With clear guidance and support, you will learn how to capture your unique vision and voice to make your essay stand out in the competitive applicant pool.

**This course will only cover the personal statement. To maximize the writing section of your applications, make sure to sign up for the companion supplemental essay course.

Course Details:
Week 1: overview and brainstorming (sample essays, overview, brainstorming)
Week 2: scene writing and drafting (rough draft)
Week 3: mastering the scene/raising the stakes (first revisions)
Week 4: scene-writer’s workshop (finalizing direction)
Week 5: weaving it all together (building the arc of the essay)
Week 6: focusing on the essentials (cutting)
Week 7: fine-tuning the message (initial editing)
Week 8: final writer’s workshop (editing and review)

2021 Schedule:

T.B.A.

Tuition:

$720. Includes 16 hours of virtual class time.

Call us at (971) 266-0321 or email eric@emergenttutoring.com to enroll today. Minimum 3 students required.

Online Supplemental Essays Course

With unique questions for each college, the supplemental essays require a different process than the main essay. These essays, although often overlooked, can actually set your application apart in the competitive admissions process.

This class will guide you through what colleges are looking for and how to capture this in your own words.

By the end of the course, you will have completed your most important supplements—and learned how to half the number of essays you write.

Course Details:

Week 1: overview and the personal essay; brainstorming
Week 2: writing the personal essay
Week 3: revising the personal essay
Week 4: the college essay (research)
Week 5: writing the college essay
Week 6: revising the college essay
Week 7: the short answers (100 words or less)
Week 8: the activities section

2021 Schedule:

T.B.A.

Tuition:

$720. Includes 16 hours of virtual class time.

Call us at (971) 266-0321 or email eric@emergenttutoring.com to enroll today. Minimum 3 students required.

What to Expect: First Tutoring Session & Beyond

During the first session, we talk about where you are, where you want to be, and what it will take to get there. Together, we’ll design a plan for your learning, setting goals and timeline targets.

At each meeting, we will begin by evaluating your understanding, reviewing goals and making adjustments as needed. Then we work on what you have prepared for our session, usually the most challenging problems or assignments that you could not complete alone.

Virtual VS In-Person Tutoring: Which Modality is Right for You?

With modern teleconference technology, virtual tutoring has become a highly effective alternative to tutoring in-person. We utilize video calls, online whiteboards & document sharing to go over assignments much in the same way we would in-person, but with the added convenience and cost benefits of meeting online.

That being said, there is no virtual substitute for the quality of connection that comes with meeting face-to-face. With that in mind, in-person tutoring is typically still preferred for (1) younger students, (2) students struggling with executive functions such as physical organization and focus, or (3) students that just don’t do as well connecting online.

To learn more, check out our post on Virtual Tutoring VS. In-Person Tutoring.

Online Tutoring

Near or far, we offer virtual tutoring via Zoom and BitPaper to keep you learning.