How to choose a good private tutor in Montreal

Start by defining the need

Before you search, write down in one or two sentences what you expect. The most common needs:

• Filling gaps that have piled up (fractions, basic algebra, French grammar);
• Preparing for a specific assessment, such as a Ministry exam in high school or a cégep final;
• Keeping up with a demanding course week after week (SN math, Calculus 1, etc.);
• Study skills: organization, note-taking, test anxiety;
• Enrichment for a student who is bored in class.

The need tells you which profile to look for. A university student can be excellent for regular support in Secondary 2; targeted prep for Calculus 2 calls for someone who truly masters that content.

Questions to ask before you commit

1. What experience do you have with this level and course? Ask for specifics: "In Secondary 4, which topic trips students up most often?"
2. Do you know the Quebec system? A good tutor knows the CST, TS and SN sequences, the Ministry exams or how cégep works.
3. What does a typical session look like? Look for a balance of explanation, problems done by the student and review of mistakes.
4. How will you measure progress? A vague answer is a clue.
5. How do you keep parents informed? For a minor, a short regular update is reasonable.
6. What are your cancellation and payment terms? Get them in writing.
7. Can you provide references? For a minor, it is also fair to ask whether the tutor would agree to a criminal background check.

Red flags

• A grade guarantee. Nobody can promise a result: it also depends on the student, the test and the time available.
• The tutor does the homework. The assignment gets handed in, nothing gets learned, and it may break school rules.
• No questions about the need. A tutor who starts teaching without a diagnosis is working blind.
• A large prepaid package with no clear cancellation policy.
• Running down the teacher or school. Tutoring should complement class, not contradict it.
• A lack of transparency with a minor: refusing to let a parent sit in, or private messages the parent cannot see.

Online or in person?

In primary school, being in the same room often helps a child stay focused. In high school and cégep, online works very well if the student has a camera, a quiet spot and a way to write (a tablet or a photo of the worksheet). A hybrid setup is also an option.

Price: what makes it vary

We could not find an independent, reliable source on average tutoring rates in Montreal; most figures online come from tutoring companies themselves. Instead, here is what drives the price:

• the level (primary, high school, cégep, university);
• expertise: student tutor, certified teacher, subject specialist;
• format: one-on-one, small group, online or at home (travel time);
• length and frequency of sessions, and package deals.

Compare at least two or three options on the same criteria. If you buy a series of sessions, know that Quebec's Consumer Protection Act covers certain course contracts. For covered courses, the Office de la protection du consommateur says no fees can be charged if you cancel before the start; afterwards, the business may charge for the classes received plus a penalty of no more than $50 or 10% of the price of the classes not yet given, whichever is less. If in doubt, check with the OPC.

Do not forget free help: school homework programs, cégep help centres and Alloprof.

What to expect from the first session

A good first session looks more like an assessment than a lesson. The tutor should:

• ask about difficulties, recent results and goals;
• have the student try a few problems to see where they actually get stuck;
• propose a clear goal for the coming weeks;
• explain the suggested frequency and how progress will be tracked.

To prepare, bring the course outline (in cégep), recent graded tests, the workbook and upcoming exam dates. Afterwards, ask the student: "Did you feel comfortable asking questions?" The relationship matters: the Quebec Ministry of Education's tutoring framework stresses the importance of a positive working alliance between tutor and student.

Measuring progress

The same framework lists the tutoring conditions recognized by research: one-on-one or small groups of four students or fewer, regularity as essential (at least three sessions a week being considered optimal in that intensive school program), sessions of 20 to 90 minutes depending on age, and a total length of 20 weeks or less. A family does not need to copy this model, but it highlights two ideas: consistency and a set time frame with a goal.

The Education Endowment Foundation (UK) also finds that one-to-one tuition has a moderate positive impact on average, especially when it is explicitly linked to classroom teaching.

In practice, track:

• grades, keeping in mind that they move slowly;
• independence: can the student solve reviewed problems alone?
• confidence: do they ask more questions in class?
• the goals set in the first session, reviewed after a few weeks.

If nothing changes after a month or two of regular sessions, talk openly with the tutor, and with the school if difficulties persist. If you are considering Stellaire Académie, ask us exactly the same questions: you can book a first meeting.

Frequently asked questions