Why Early Tutoring Makes All the Difference
By Jillian Ruck
Each school year I would watch the same pattern unfold in my classroom. Students would come back from summer break and had forgotten a good chunk of what they learned from the year before. And while we had some time in the beginning of the year to do refreshers on the content from the previous year, we very quickly needed to dive into new material. For some students a quick refresher was all they needed, but for others, they needed additional support. So by the time the first report card came around it was evident who was struggling to keep up with the pace of the new school year and building on the skills from the previous year.
I saw how quickly a rough start could snowball throughout the rest of the year if the gaps were not addressed at the beginning. Early intervention can be key to turning things around and maintaining student confidence.
The first quarter should serve as a warning sign for parents, but it is by no means a final verdict for the student. A low grade early in the year does not mean the student is not capable - it often just means they are missing some foundational skills or are struggling to adjust to new higher expectations. The longer those gaps go unaddressed, the harder it becomes to catch up.
In my history classes, I saw students who couldn’t write a clear thesis or analyze primary sources. But the root of the issue was often a deeper issue like reading comprehension, which without additional support would not improve in my class because that was not the main focus.
I saw the same problems in math and science classes. If students can’t master the foundational skills taught early in a class like Algebra I, they would struggle with everything else that follows and builds upon those skills.
While these seem like academic skills, a lot of it is confidence issues. They see their peers not having the same problems so they lose confidence in themselves. And once confidence is lost, it is hard to rebuild. This is where MRM can make the difference. After a consultation to better understand the student's comprehensive learning background, we pair them with a tutor who will be able to address their gaps and learning style. They will work 1:1 with your student to ensure their foundational skills are where they need to be and help them regain their confidence.
At MRM We Provide:
Subject specific tutoring in math, science, English, and others, including all AP and honors courses
Executive functioning coaching to help students manage time, stay organized, and study effectively
Essay support for school assignments and college applications
Flexible scheduling and personalized plans that meet students where they are
Our goal is not just to help students improve their grades, but to help them regain their confidence and take ownership of their learning.
If your student's first report card raised concerns, let’s talk. We are here to help turn this moment into a fresh start.
Need more support for your student?
Contact MRM Education for personalized tutoring, enrichment, and math skill-building programs.
