Why We Don’t Tutor By Grade Level

As adults, we understand that education plays an important role in helping us reach our goals. But when it comes to children, do you ever ask yourself how tutoring by grade level might help your child succeed? While this may seem like the obvious answer for strong academic performance, there are a few reasons why accommodating the specific needs of each student instead of following a one-size-fits-all approach creates better results. Today, we’ll explore some of those reasons and explain why at Dropkick Math Academy, we use an assessment for our math tutoring programs

Unique Ways Of Learning

At Dropkick Math Academy, we understand that every child is different and has their own unique way of learning, so we don’t follow a rigid grade-level teaching approach. Instead, we use a FREE assessment to gauge where each student stands in terms of their mathematical understanding. By doing this, we can tailor our programs to cater to each student’s individual needs, ensuring that they get the most out of their learning journey with us. 

Develop At Different Rates

It’s important to understand that children develop at different rates. Some may be advanced in one area while struggling in another. Placing them in a grade level that doesn’t match their developmental level can negatively affect their self-esteem and academic performance.

By assessing a student’s place in learning, we can tailor lesson plans and activities that meet their individual needs. This approach ensures that students are challenged but not overwhelmed, providing them with a sense of accomplishment as they progress through the curriculum. 

Prior Learning Experience

Another reason why we don’t place students based on grade level is that it fails to acknowledge a student’s prior learning experiences. Students may have had different educational backgrounds, experienced gaps in their education due to personal circumstances, or simply had difficulty retaining information in certain subjects.

If we were to place them in a grade level based solely on age, they may end up in a class where they struggle to keep up, leading to frustration and discouragement. By assessing their place in learning, we can identify areas that need improvement and create a plan to help them catch up.

Making It Challenging

In addition, using grade levels as the sole factor for placement can limit a student’s potential. If a student performs exceptionally well in certain areas, being placed in a math tutoring program where they are not challenged can lead to boredom and disengagement.

We want to foster a love of learning and encourage students to reach their full potential. By placing them in a level that matches their abilities, they are more likely to excel and enjoy the learning process.

Promoting Growth Mindset

Our approach to placement helps to promote a growth mindset in students. A growth mindset is a belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed over time through hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

When students are placed in an environment that challenges and supports their learning, they are more likely to adopt a growth mindset and embrace a love of learning. This approach helps students develop the skills and mindset they need to succeed both academically and in life.

Taking A Holistic Approach

At Dropkick Math Academy, we use an advanced assessment system to help determine a student’s place in learning. We take a holistic approach to placement, considering factors such as cognitive development, learning style, and social-emotional development. By gathering information from our assessment, we can create a complete picture of a student’s strengths and areas for improvement.

After completing the assessment, one of our math therapists will collect the data and determine the right learning path for the child. We then work with parents and guardians to create a plan for success. This plan may include one single program or multiple lessons to match the student’s abilities better.

By taking this extra step, we can offer our students the best chance at success. We’re proud to say that we stand out among our competitors for this very reason. Our teachers can tailor their lessons and support to each student, ensuring they’re challenged but not overwhelmed. This approach ensures that every student reaches their full potential, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.

Our assessment is unlike any other tool out there. It’s not just a simple test that places students in classes, but rather, a fun and engaging game that keeps their attention throughout the entire process. We use stories and characters within the assessment to bring life to the questions and keep children interested. This not only helps them stay engaged and focused during the assessment but it also helps them retain the information being presented to them. Our assessment is a great way for children to learn while having fun, and we are proud to offer this unique approach to education.

Our Approach

Our approach promotes a growth mindset, fosters a love of learning, and encourages students to reach their full potential. By working closely with parents and guardians, we can create a plan for success that helps students thrive academically and in life.

Our programs are designed to be fun and educational, allowing children to explore STEM concepts in novel and exciting ways. All classes are virtual and follow a curriculum focusing on math’s four pillars (number sense, operational sense, proportional reasoning, and algebraic reasoning). Our interactive learning tools allow students to progressively learn the curriculum throughout 12 hours of classes.

No matter if your child is struggling with fractions or algebra, we have a math tutoring program that can help. Learn more about our programs today and get started with our FREE assessment.

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