King Academics - FAQ

What are the advantages of private tutoring?

Private one-on-one tutoring is unquestionably the most effective form of academic instruction, provided that the tutor is an experienced and successful teacher and the student has a genuine desire to learn and to be successful. The following points are particularly worthy of note:

• No time is wasted by students having to travel to and from the tutor’s office
• Students can schedule homework and meals around the time that they schedule their private tuition
• Teaching and learning takes place in the environment where a student feels most at ease – their home
• Immediate feedback can be given not only to the student but also to their parents
• Students have easy access to their text books and other course materials that can be used for reference

Why is private tutoring so expensive?

There is no question that private tutoring can be very costly and King Academics is certainly not inexpensive. However, when one compares the cost to a similarly highly professional service in the legal or medical field then one can get an appreciation that the best is indeed expensive. By electing to employ the services of King Academics, you are buying a first class product. Fundamentally, one has to ask, "Am I getting value for money?" King Academics is confident that your answer to that question will be a resounding, "Yes!" It is also worth noting that a significant number of tutorial services in New York City charge in the $400 - $900 per hour range.

What qualities should I look for in a private tutor?

A private tutor must have accredited professional qualifications that indicate that the tutor has been a successful student. Those qualifications must be relevant to the subjects or courses that are being offered for instruction. Even more important: the tutor must have a successful record of instruction both in the classroom and as a private tutor.

What sets King Academics apart from other tutoring services?

King Academics is a learning institution that specializes in one-on-one academic tuition. Gary King has tutored students on both sides of the Atlantic and in Asia for more than twenty years. His vast experience of teaching mathematics in both the classroom and to individual students is second to none and his ability to make even the most baffling of concepts comprehensible is the secret to his students’ success. In addition to mathematics, King Academics offers comprehensive tutoring for the SAT, ACT, AP and many other standardized tests. Gary King also offers expert guidance in the planning and production of college entrance essays.

Why might my child need a tutor?

Do you feel that your child is not achieving his or her potential? Are his or her grades lower that you expected? Does your child’s teacher indicate a lack of focus in class, poor test performance, and an inability to articulate logical reasoning? Or are there other performance related factors that concern you? Has your child asked for a tutor and given you good reasons why? If any of the above concerns are relevant to your situation then the right tutor should be able to address all of the issues in question.

What if the tutor's teaching methods are different to those being used by my child's school teacher?

Gary King is always willing to contact your child’s teacher in order to get an appreciation of what the teacher feels are the main issues that need to be addressed. Gary will endeavor to support the student by explaining the concepts and ensuring that the student understands the methods that are being taught in his or her class.

My child has a learning disability? What experience does King Academics have in this area?

Gary King has considerable experience with supporting students who have learning issues. He will not only endeavor to tailor his teaching to the maximum effect but will also work in consultation with any learning specialist who already has a knowledge of your child’s particular learning profile.

My child suffers from test anxiety. How can a tutor help?

Test anxiety can result from a variety of situations. Usually it occurs as a result of insecurity with the subject matter. By showing a student how to verbalize the thought processes that are required in solving a particular problem, the student will gradually gain the confidence that is necessary in being able to translate these thought processes into logically presented written statements leading to a correct solution.

Does King Academics offer tutoring to small groups of students?

Usually the answer to that question is no, simply because students have different issues that need to be addressed, and the best way to effectively address these issues is in the one-on-one tutoring situation. However, if a small group of students who are in the same mathematics group at school or who are preparing for the same standardized test would like to have group lessons, then each situation will be considered. The students in such a small group should be of similar ability and be willing to be supportive of each other. The charge for each individual student in a group session is based on a sliding scale that decreases with increasing student numbers. A group should contain no more than six students. All students and their parents will receive individual feedback.

Number of Students in Group	Fee:
2	$160 per hour per student ($320)
3	$135 per hour per student ($405)
4	$115 per hour per student ($460)
5	$100 per hour per student ($500)
6	$90 per hour per student ($540)

What is King Academics opinion on the use of calculators?

A calculator, particularly a graphing calculator, can be a wonderful mathematical tool when students are taught to use it in the correct way. Many standardized tests such as the ACT, SAT, SAT II and AP Calculus require the use of calculators for certain types of questions. Gary King is a stalwart proponent of the use of technology and learning by investigation. A scientific or graphing calculator can provide an essential mechanism for many innovative approaches to learning.

Does King Academics offer tuition for critical reading and timed essay writing?

Yes! In addition to providing mathematics tuition we also provide tuition for the critical reading and timed-essay writing sections of the SAT. A variety of other standardized tests are also part of our academic prospectus. We expanded our program to include these elements of standardized tests because so many students and their parents asked us if that might be possible as they didn’t want to hire yet another tutor. Gary King has had considerable experience in helping students prepare for a wide range of standardized tests and has had much success with the essential strategies required for the critical reading and the timed essay writing aspects of these tests.

My son really needs some guidance with his college essay. How can a tutor help?

We have helped literally hundreds of students over the years with their college entrance essays, where this is allowed. Gary King will give each student the confidence to produce the main ideas and framework for the essay. He will help each student to plan and compose an essay that will reflect the thoughts, passions and style of that individual. The final essay will be the student’s essay – not one that has been written for the student. Gary will simply guide each student through the process and allow them to have the freedom and exhibit the creativity to formulate an essay that will make each reader want to know much more about the person who has written it.

Does King Academics have any plans to expand its academic portfolio?

Yes! In Phase II of its operations, King Academics will offer an expanded range of tuition in academic subjects and an even greater variety of standardized test options. The finest tutors that are available will undergo an exacting and exhaustive interview process. The successful few who make it through to the final stage of the hiring process will then be personally trained by Gary King in order to enable them to carry out the mission, the philosophy, and the teaching and learning objectives of King Academics. Gary King has extensive international experience in interviewing, hiring and training educators, and it is this expertise that will enable us to always maintain our status as "Simply the Best !".

Please watch this space for exciting future developments!

What guarantees do I have that my child will be successful as a result of tutoring?

At King Academics every child is guaranteed to have the finest tutoring that it is possible to find anywhere. Every child is an individual with individual learning needs and the program and strategies that we will develop for your child will certainly have the best likelihood of success.

I have other questions that you do not address here - can you help?

Absolutely! Just give us a call or send us an e-mail. Please see the “Contact Us” page for details.