Best Tutoring Resources In Pittsburgh
Whether your child is getting ready for the SATs or needs some extra help with reading, writing or 'rithmetic, the Pittsburgh area has a number of first-rate tutoring resources.
By Christine Mouser
The Readers and Writers Workshop
401 Shady Ave., Suite C105
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 661-6682
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Best Reading and Writing Service: Reading and writing can be a tricky subject for people of just about all ages. Help give your children a solid base of good reading and writing skills by checking out The Readers and Writers Workshop, located in Shadyside. This service provides one-on-one tutoring for students looking to improve their language skills. Dr. Shandel Gilbert, Ph.D., has created an instructional approach that seems to be a successful one; according to its website, in 20 sessions, the average workshop student improves one and a half years in reading comprehension according to scoring on national standardized tests. Give the Workshop a call for pricing, hours and further information.
Sylvan Learning Center
Location: 1764 Park Manor Blvd., Robinson Township
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
(888) 937-7958
Hours: Mon to Thurs - 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fri - by appointment only; Sat - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Website
Location: 3747 William Penn Highway, Unit T, Monroeville
Pittsburgh, PA 15146
(412) 858-5271
Hours: Mon to Thurs - 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fri - by appointment only; Sat - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Best Study Skill Service: For some lucky students, study skills and organization come naturally. For many others, this isn't always the case. For fourth and fifth graders looking to improve their study skills, Sylvan Learning Center has a great program designed to do just that. The program focuses on organization (organizing binders), time management (utilizing study time and setting goals), note-taking (listening skills, managing information, basic note-taking), reading and studying (how to use notes and textbooks to study) and test-taking strategies (how to approach test questions and preventing test-related stress and anxiety). Developing these skills at an early age will only pay dividends in the more challenging years ahead. Call Sylvan for pricing information, or visit their website for more tutoring services.
Mathnasium
4050 Washington Rd.
McMurray, PA 15317
(724) 941-MATH (6284)
Hours: Mon to Thurs - 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Fri - 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Reviews, Directions & More Info:
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Best Math Tutoring Service for K-12: Math can be a sore subject for young students—and even adults. If you don't want your child to wince every time they hear the word math like you do, then consider looking into Mathnasium. With over 200 locations in the country, this program seems to be a proven method. Located in McMurray, Pa., Mathnasium offers students one-on-one instruction, complete with a customized learning plan for each child. While this tutoring service attracts many struggling math students, Mathnasium is also for math enthusiasts and future mathematicians. They've got programs for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade, designed to give little ones a head start by learning subjects such as shapes, patterning, classification, measurements, fractions, numeration and more. So what are some other programs? Elementary students: computation and problem solving using whole numbers, computation and problem solving using rational numbers (fractions, decimals, percents, etc.); middle school: master computation and problem solving with rational numbers, study Algebra 1; high school: focus on mastering algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, etc. For more information on these and other programs, call Mathnasium.
Huntington Learning Center
Location: 4721 McKnight Road, North Hills
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
(412) 367-7787
Hours: Mon to Thurs - 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Fri - 12:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sat - 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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Location: 2790 Mosside Blvd.
Monroeville, PA 15146
(412) 856-5250
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Fri, Noon – 4 p.m.; Sat, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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Location: 6563 Steubenville Pike, Robinson
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
(412) 859-3707
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Fri, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sat, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Website
Location: 2848 Washington Road
McMurray, PA 15317
(724) 942-1290
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Fri, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sat, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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Location: 20636 B. Route 19, Cranberry Township
Pittsburgh, PA 16066
(724) 776-6767
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sat, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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Best High School Preparation Service: If your child is interested in getting into a competitive and highly-ranked high school, scoring well on high school entrance exams is your best bet. Huntington Learning Center offers a high school entrance preparation program to ensure that your kids will do the best they can while taking these entrance exams. The learning center begins with an academic evaluation of the student and, from there, develops a personalized learning program for the individual based on the results. Their tutors then work one-on-one with the student to help master test-taking skills and problem solving skills. In addition, the learning center frequently tests the students with full-length, official entrance exams that will help students become more prepared for what's ahead. Call the Huntington Learning Center for more information regarding pricing and other programs.
Kaplan Test Prep
Various locations. Visit these two links for detailed information on classes, dates, prices and more.
1(800) KAP-TEST
Kaplan Test Prep
For SAT Prep: Website
For ACT Prep: Website
Best SAT/ACT Prep Service: The words SAT and ACT frequently create anxiety, fear and even dread with anyone who hears those words. Sure, these tests may help decide the fate of your college future, but there is a way to make sure you're the one in control. And that's where Kaplan Test Prep comes in. They've got tons of options for future college students to help prepare them for these tests—from personal tutoring, group tutoring, classes and more. Depending on how much you want to spend will likely dictate the style of test prep that you will receive, but each program is extremely beneficial for test-takers. Four different types of SAT and ACT tutoring services will get you anywhere from 16 two hour-lessons, plus four to six practice tests to 10 two-hour lessons, plus 3-6 practice tests. What's even better is that you have access to Smart Reports, which follows your progress, performance and homework tracking. You'll have access to study materials, online workshops, quizzes, flashcards and more. Plus, you'll even get unlimited prep with access to the College Prep Advantage, which offers 45 hours of PSAT, SAT and ACT prep. Tutoring isn't the only option available here at Kaplan Test Prep, so visit their website or call their offices to get more information on pricing and other programs.
Christine Mouser is currently living in the Pittsburgh area, where she is an editorial intern for Pittsburgh Magazine. She is set to graduate from Penn State University this summer, with a degree in print journalism. She has written for HappyValley.com, Town&Gown magazine and Penn State's Valley magazine.
