---
name: tutoring-business
description: |
  Complete guide to building a tutoring business covering subject positioning, pricing tiers, online versus in-person delivery, curriculum development, parent communication, scheduling systems, scaling strategies, and marketing to schools and organizations. Use when the user asks about tutoring business or needs help with related topics. Do NOT use for unrelated domains or when a more specialized skill exists.
license: Apache-2.0
metadata:
  author: foundry-skills
  version: "1.0.0"
  tags: "entrepreneurship teaching strategy"
  category: "business-strategy"
  subcategory: "operations"
  depends: ""
  disclaimer: "none"
  difficulty: "intermediate"
---

# Tutoring Business

## When to Use

**Use this skill when:**
- The user wants to start or grow a tutoring business with subject positioning and pricing tiers
- The user needs help with online vs in-person delivery models, curriculum development, or parent communication
- The user wants guidance on scheduling systems, marketing to schools, or scaling a tutoring operation
- The user needs strategies for hiring tutors, quality assurance, or organizational partnerships

**Do NOT use this skill when:**
- The user wants tutoring technique or teaching methodology (use relevant education skill)
- The user is building an educational game or platform (use educational-game-designer instead)
- The user needs general solopreneur guidance (use solopreneur-toolkit instead)

## Process

1. **Gather requirements.** Ask the user clarifying questions about their specific context, goals, constraints, and experience level.

2. **Analyze the situation.** Review the information provided and identify key factors, challenges, and opportunities relevant to tutoring business.

3. **Develop the framework.** Create a structured approach tailored to the user's needs, incorporating best practices and domain-specific considerations.

4. **Deliver actionable output.** Present specific, implementable recommendations with clear rationale, timelines, and success criteria.

5. **Address edge cases.** Proactively identify potential issues, alternative approaches, and contingency plans.

**Use this skill when:**
- User needs guidance on tutoring business
- User asks about tutoring business best practices or techniques
- User wants a structured approach to tutoring business

**Do NOT use this skill when:**
- A more specialized skill exists for the specific subtopic
- The request is outside the scope of tutoring business
## Questions to Ask First

Before providing guidance, establish the tutor's situation:

1. What subjects do you tutor? (Academic, test prep, music, language, skills-based)
2. What grade levels or age groups do you serve?
3. Are you tutoring in-person, online, or both?
4. Are you solo or building a tutoring company with other tutors?
5. What is your educational background and relevant credentials?
6. How many students do you currently serve?
7. What is your hourly rate?
8. What is your target income?
9. What is your service area or geographic focus?
10. Do you specialize in any learning differences or student populations?

## Subject Expertise Positioning

### Positioning Framework
```
NICHE FORMULA:
  [Subject Area] + [Student Level] + [Outcome] = Your Position

POSITIONING HIERARCHY (from least to most valuable):
  Level 1: "I tutor all subjects" (commodity, low rates)
  Level 2: "I tutor math" (better, still broad)
  Level 3: "I tutor high school math" (specific audience)
  Level 4: "I prepare students for AP Calculus AB/BC exams" (outcome-focused)
  Level 5: "I help students score 5 on AP Calculus, with a 92% pass rate" (proof + outcome)
```

### High-Demand Subjects by Rate Potential
```
PREMIUM RATE SUBJECTS ($75-$200+/hour):
  - SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT test prep
  - AP courses (especially STEM)
  - College admissions consulting
  - Executive function coaching
  - Specialized learning differences

MID-RANGE SUBJECTS ($50-$100/hour):
  - Math (Algebra through Calculus)
  - Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
  - Foreign languages
  - Writing and essay skills
  - Computer science/coding

ENTRY-LEVEL SUBJECTS ($30-$60/hour):
  - Elementary all-subjects
  - Homework help (general)
  - Basic reading/writing
  - Study skills
```

## Pricing Tiers

### Rate Setting Framework
```
FACTORS THAT DETERMINE YOUR RATE:
  1. Your credentials (degree, certifications, teaching experience)
  2. Subject complexity and demand
  3. Student level (elementary vs. AP vs. college)
  4. Market rates in your area
  5. Your track record and results
  6. Online vs. in-person (online can charge broader market rates)

PRICING STRUCTURE:
  Individual session (1 hour):           $____
  Individual session (90 minutes):       $____
  Small group (2-3 students, per student): $____ (60-70% of individual rate)
  Group class (4-8 students, per student): $____ (40-50% of individual rate)

  Package discounts:
  Single session:     Full price
  5-session package:  5% discount
  10-session package: 10% discount
  20-session package: 15% discount

  Specialty premiums:
  Test prep (SAT/ACT/GRE):  +20-50% over standard rate
  Weekend/evening:           +10-20% (if you want to discourage or monetize)
  Emergency/last-minute:     +25-50%
  In-home (travel to client): +$10-$25 per session or 15% premium

RATE INCREASE SCHEDULE:
  - Review rates annually
  - Increase 5-15% per year as experience and demand grow
  - Give existing clients 30-60 days notice
  - Grandfather long-term clients if appropriate
```

### Package and Program Pricing
```
TEST PREP PACKAGES (Premium):
  Assessment + study plan:           $150-$300 (one-time)
  8-week SAT prep (2x/week):        $1,200-$2,400
  12-week comprehensive prep:        $2,000-$4,000
  Intensive boot camp (1 week):      $800-$1,500

ACADEMIC SUPPORT PACKAGES:
  Monthly plan (4 sessions):         $____/month
  Monthly plan (8 sessions):         $____/month
  Semester package (16 sessions):    $____

  Auto-pay monthly subscriptions lock in revenue and reduce churn
```

## Online vs. In-Person

### Platform and Tools
```
ONLINE TUTORING SETUP:
  Video platform:
    Tutorbird: Built for tutoring, includes scheduling
    Lessonspace: Interactive whiteboard + video

  Interactive whiteboard:
    Google Jamboard: Free

  Document sharing:

  Hardware:
    Stable internet (minimum 25 Mbps upload)

IN-PERSON SETUP:
  Location options:
    Client's home: Convenient for them; travel time for you
    Public library: Free, neutral, safe
    Coffee shop: Casual; can be noisy
    Your home office: No travel; requires appropriate space
    Tutoring center: Professional; rent cost

  Supplies:
```

### Online vs. In-Person Comparison
```
                    | ONLINE           | IN-PERSON
--------------------|------------------|------------------
Rate potential      | Broader market   | Local market only
Travel time         | Zero             | 15-45 min/client
Scheduling flex     | Very high        | Moderate
Student engagement  | Can be harder    | Easier to gauge
Age group fit       | Best 10+         | All ages
Tools available     | Digital whiteboard| Physical materials
Cancellation rate   | Higher           | Lower
Scale potential     | Higher           | Limited by geography
```

## Curriculum Development

### Session Planning Framework
```
FIRST SESSION (Assessment & Rapport):
  1. Meet student and parent (10 min) - goals, concerns, history
  2. Diagnostic assessment (20-30 min) - identify skill level
  3. Begin teaching at identified level (15-20 min)
  4. Debrief with parent (10 min) - findings and plan
ONGOING SESSION STRUCTURE (60 minutes):
  0-5 min:   Check-in, review previous session's assignment
  5-15 min:  Review and reinforce previous concepts
  15-40 min: New concept introduction and guided practice
  40-50 min: Independent practice with support
  50-55 min: Summarize key takeaways
  55-60 min: Assign practice, preview next session
SESSION PLANNING TEMPLATE:
  Date: ________
  Student: ________
  Session #: ________
  Learning objective:
  Review (10 min):
    - Topic: ________
    - Activity: ________
  New content (25 min):
    - Topic: ________
    - Explanation approach: ________
    - Practice problems/activities: ________
  Assessment (15 min):
    - How will you check understanding?
    - Exit question/problem: ________
  Homework:
    - Assignment: ________
    - Due: ________
  Notes for next session:
```

### Progress Tracking
```
STUDENT PROGRESS RECORD:
  Student: ________
  Subject: ________
  Start date: ________
  Starting level: ________
  Goal: ________

  Session Log:
  | Date    | Topics Covered      | Mastery Level | Notes        |
  |---------|--------------------|--------------:|--------------|
  |         |                    |   /10         |              |
  |         |                    |   /10         |              |

  Mastery Scale:
    1-3: Introduced concept, needs significant support
    4-5: Developing understanding, can do with guidance
    6-7: Approaching mastery, occasional errors
    8-9: Mastery, can apply independently
    10: Can teach to others

MILESTONE ASSESSMENTS:
  Every 8-10 sessions, administer a comprehensive assessment
  Compare to baseline diagnostic
  Share results with parents in written progress report
```

### Test Prep Curriculum Design
```
SAT/ACT PREP FRAMEWORK (12-16 weeks):

Phase 1: Diagnostic and Foundation (Weeks 1-3)
  - Full-length diagnostic test
  - Identify strengths and weaknesses by section
  - Build study plan targeting weakest areas first
  - Teach test-taking strategies (timing, elimination, pacing)

Phase 2: Content Review and Skill Building (Weeks 4-9)
  - Systematic content review by topic
  - Targeted practice sets for weak areas
  - Weekly timed section practice
  - Strategy refinement

Phase 3: Practice Tests and Refinement (Weeks 10-14)
  - Full-length practice tests (one per week)
  - Detailed error analysis after each test
  - Focus on highest-impact improvements
  - Mental preparation and test-day logistics

Phase 4: Final Preparation (Weeks 15-16)
  - Light review of key concepts
  - Confidence building
  - Test-day preparation plan
  - Score prediction and expectation setting
```

## Parent Communication

### Communication Templates
```
INITIAL ASSESSMENT REPORT (After First Session):
Subject: [Student's Name] - Initial Assessment Summary
Dear [Parent],
Thank you for meeting with me today. Here is a summary of
my initial assessment of [Student]:
Current Level: [description]
Strengths: [2-3 specific strengths observed]
Areas for Growth: [2-3 specific areas to target]
Recommended Plan:
  - [Frequency] sessions per week
  - Focus areas: [specific topics in priority order]
  - Expected timeline: [realistic timeframe for goals]
Next steps: [what to work on before next session]
I'm excited to work with [Student]. Please don't hesitate
to reach out with any questions.
Best regards,
[Your name]
---
MONTHLY PROGRESS UPDATE:
Subject: [Student] - Monthly Progress Report
Dear [Parent],
Here is [Student's] progress update for [Month]:
Sessions completed this month: [X]
Topics covered: [list]
Progress highlights:
  - [Specific improvement 1]
  - [Specific improvement 2]
Areas still developing:
  - [Area 1 with specific plan]
What's coming next month:
  - [Preview of upcoming focus]
Overall, [Student] is [progressing well / making steady gains /
working through a challenging topic and showing resilience].
Best regards,
[Your name]
```

### Parent Communication Best Practices
```
DO:
  - Send brief post-session summaries (2-3 sentences via text)
  - Monthly written progress reports
  - Respond to parent messages within 24 hours
  - Share specific, observable progress (not vague praise)
  - Be honest about challenges and realistic about timelines
  - Include the student in goal-setting conversations
  - Celebrate milestones (grade improvements, test scores)

DON'T:
  - Diagnose learning disabilities (refer to professionals)
  - Guarantee specific test scores or grades
  - Criticize the student's school teacher or curriculum
  - Share information between divorced parents without consent
  - Discuss one student's progress with another student's parent
  - Provide therapy or counseling (know your scope)
```

## Scheduling

### Scheduling System
```
SOFTWARE OPTIONS:
  Tutorcruncher:     $24-$85/month (built for tutoring businesses)
  Calendly:          $0-$16/month (simple scheduling)
  Acuity/Squarespace: $16-$46/month (booking + payments)
  TutorBird:         $15-$50/month (tutoring-specific)
  SimplyBook.me:     $0-$50/month (flexible booking)

SCHEDULING POLICIES:
  Minimum advance booking: 24 hours
  Cancellation policy: 24 hours notice or forfeit session / 50% charge
  Makeup policy: 1 makeup per month within the following 2 weeks
  Late policy: Session ends at scheduled time regardless of late start
  No-show policy: Full charge after 15-minute grace period

SCHEDULING OPTIMIZATION:
  - Back-to-back sessions to maximize productive hours
  - Group same-subject students near each other for prep efficiency
  - Block "office hours" for planning, communication, and admin
  - Protect at least 1 day per week completely off
  - Set seasonal schedules (heavier during school year, lighter in summer)
```

### Capacity Planning
```
SOLO TUTOR CAPACITY:
  Maximum sustainable sessions per week: 25-30
  Recommended for quality and longevity: 20-25
  Each session requires ~15 min prep time

  Weekly schedule example (25 sessions):
    Mon: 5 sessions (3 PM - 8 PM)
    Tue: 5 sessions (3 PM - 8 PM)
    Wed: 5 sessions (3 PM - 8 PM)
    Thu: 5 sessions (3 PM - 8 PM)
    Fri: 3 sessions (3 PM - 6 PM)
    Sat: 2 sessions (10 AM - 12 PM)

  Revenue at $75/hour: 25 x $75 = $1,875/week = ~$7,500/month

  Plan financially for seasonal dips
```

## Scaling Strategies

### Growth Path
```
STAGE 1: SOLO TUTOR ($0-$8K/month)
  Focus: Build reputation, collect testimonials, refine teaching
  Capacity: 20-25 students
  Marketing: Word of mouth, Google reviews, social media

STAGE 2: ADD TUTORS ($8K-$20K/month)
  Focus: Recruit and train additional tutors
  Model: You take 60-70% of session fee, tutors get 30-40%
         OR tutors get 50-60%, you get 40-50% (market dependent)
  Priorities:
  - Create training manual and quality standards
  - Build tutor recruitment pipeline (grad students, teachers, retired educators)
  - Implement scheduling software that handles multiple tutors
  - Quality assurance: Sit in on sessions, collect parent feedback

STAGE 3: TUTORING CENTER ($20K-$50K+/month)
  Focus: Physical location, group classes, test prep programs
  Additions:
  - Lease a small space (500-1,000 sq ft)
  - Group classes (higher revenue per hour)
  - Structured programs (SAT prep courses, academic camps)
  - Office manager for scheduling and parent communication
  - Marketing: School partnerships, community presence

STAGE 4: MULTI-LOCATION OR FRANCHISE
  Focus: Systematize everything for replication
  Requirements:
  - Proven model with documented results
  - Complete operations manual
  - Tutor training and certification program
  - Brand recognition in your market
  - Technology platform for scheduling, billing, reporting
```

### Tutor Recruitment and Management
```
WHERE TO FIND TUTORS:
  - University career centers and education departments
  - Teaching certification programs
  - Retired teachers
  - Graduate students
  - Professional tutoring platforms (as poaching, carefully)
  - Your own top students (when they reach college age)

TUTOR REQUIREMENTS:
  [ ] Subject expertise (degree or equivalent experience)
  [ ] Teaching or tutoring experience
  [ ] Background check cleared
  [ ] References verified
  [ ] Observed teaching session passed
  [ ] Reliable transportation (if in-person)
  [ ] Professional communication skills
  [ ] Alignment with your teaching philosophy

TUTOR COMPENSATION (When Scaling):
  Commission model: Tutor gets 55-70% of session fee
  Hourly model: $20-$40/hour (you bill client at $60-$100)
```

## Marketing to Schools

### School Partnership Strategy
```
APPROACH:
  1. Identify target schools (within your service area, matching your specialty)
  2. Contact guidance counselors, department heads, or learning specialists
  3. Offer free workshop or presentation to students/parents
  4. Provide business cards or flyers for their resource files
  5. Ask to be added to their recommended tutors list

WHAT TO OFFER SCHOOLS:
  - Free study skills workshops for students
  - SAT/ACT information nights for parents
  - After-school tutoring partnerships (on-site or referral)
  - Teacher professional development (if qualified)
  - Scholarship slots for qualifying students (builds goodwill)
  - Progress reports sent to school counselors (with parent consent)

SCHOOL OUTREACH TIMING:
  August-September: Back to school, study skills workshops
  October: Midterm prep, first progress reports trigger parents to seek help
  January: New semester, second chance positioning
  March-April: Test prep season (SAT, ACT, AP)
  May: Summer program promotion
```

### Other Marketing Channels
```
1. GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE: Reviews from parents, area-specific SEO
2. PARENT FACEBOOK GROUPS: Engage in local parenting communities
3. NEXTDOOR: Neighborhood recommendations
4. REFERRAL PROGRAM: $25-$50 credit for referrals
5. WEBSITE WITH TESTIMONIALS: Results-focused, with specific outcomes
6. COMMUNITY BOARDS: Libraries, community centers, pediatrician offices
7. PARTNERING WITH: Learning centers, therapists, pediatricians
8. LOCAL EVENTS: Sponsor school events, host homework help at library
```

## Financial Management
```
MONTHLY FINANCIAL TRACKER:
  Session revenue:               $________
  Package revenue:               $________
  Group class revenue:           $________
  TOTAL REVENUE:                 $________

  Tutor payroll (if scaling):    $________ (target: 40-55% of revenue)
  Software/tools:                $________
  Marketing:                     $________
  Materials/curriculum:          $________
  Insurance:                     $________
  Space rental (if applicable):  $________
  TOTAL EXPENSES:                $________

  NET INCOME:                    $________

  KEY METRICS:
  Sessions per week:             ________
  Average session rate:          $________
  Revenue per hour (all-in):     $________
  Student retention rate:        ________% (target: 80%+ semester over semester)
  Referral rate:                 ________% of new students from referrals
  Utilization rate:              ________% of available slots filled
```

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Pricing too low because you feel awkward about charging for education
2. Not having a cancellation policy (or not enforcing it)
3. Trying to tutor every subject instead of specializing
4. Neglecting parent communication (they write the checks and make referrals)
5. Not tracking student progress with data (report cards alone aren't enough)
6. Working evenings and weekends with no boundaries
7. Failing to collect testimonials and measurable outcomes for marketing
8. Expanding to a team without documented teaching methods
9. Not saving for summer income dips (put away 20% during school year peak)
10. Spending on a tutoring center lease before proving demand with mobile/online first


## Output Format

Deliver the response as a structured document with clear headings and actionable content. Use tables for comparisons, numbered lists for sequential steps, and bullet points for options. Include specific examples where applicable.

```
[Tutoring Business deliverable]
1. Context and objectives
2. Analysis or framework
3. Specific recommendations with rationale
4. Action items with timeline
```


## Example

**Input:** "Help me with tutoring business for a mid-size project."

**Output:** A complete tutoring business framework tailored to the specific context, with actionable steps, relevant considerations, and measurable outcomes.


## Edge Cases

- **Incomplete information:** Ask clarifying questions before proceeding rather than making assumptions
- **Conflicting requirements:** Identify trade-offs explicitly and present options with pros and cons
- **Scale mismatch:** Adapt recommendations to match the user's context (individual vs. team vs. organization)
- **Domain crossover:** When the request overlaps with other skill domains, address what falls within scope and reference specialized skills for the rest
