Ultimate Guide to Getting a Tutor in Canada - BrightSparkz Tutors Canada

All you’ve ever wanted to know about tutoring in Canada and getting the right tutor, in one place! Welcome to our Ultimate Guide to Getting a Tutor. We hope you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. If you don’t, feel free to reach out to us and ask a question.

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What is Tutoring?

“Long before schools were established, private tutors were employed to teach children in wealthy families. Even today, when universal education is available, many parents employ private tutors to supplement the teaching their children receive in school.” – (by J. Ireson, from the London Review of Education)

Tutoring in Canada has come a long way from being one of the primary means of educating children, to the supplemental tool it is now. In academic circles, private tutoring is seen as a collection of after-school educational activities which are designed to help students improve their academic performance (Bray, 2002). However, tutoring is not limited to assisting school children. University students and adults looking to learn new skills, also regularly seek out tutoring for assistance.

Tutoring in the Canadian Context

While private tutoring in Canada is not a new phenomenon, its popularity has risen since the 2020 pandemic. During COVID-19 shutdowns, children’s learning saw unprecedented disruptions that many students are still recovering from at the time of writing (2025).

Canadian students’ Math and reading scores are declining sharply, reflecting a global trend, according to a recent study. Between 2018 and 2022, Canada’s Math scores dropped by 15 points – equivalent to losing three-quarters of a year of learning, based on PISA’s standards. Reading scores fell by 13 points, while Science saw a smaller decline of three points. Anna Stokke, a Mathematics Professor at the University of Winnipeg, hit the nail on the head when talking to CBC News:

“First of all, we’re not spending enough time on math in schools. And second of all, kids just aren’t getting good instruction in a lot of cases. They’re not getting explicit instruction. They’re not getting enough practice. And that really needs to change”

Given these challenges, many parents turn to private tutoring. The industry has grown significantly, driven by tangible improvements in students’ academic results. However, this growth has also attracted substandard tutors and unscrupulous operators. For this reason, it’s important to carefully assess the quality of the tutoring that you choose.

Why is There a Growing Demand for Tutoring in Canada?

The demand for tutoring in Canada has been steadily increasing, driven by various educational and societal factors. As students face greater academic challenges, many families are turning to tutoring for extra support. Here are some key reasons behind this growing trend:

Academic Pressure – High expectations for grades and university admissions push students to seek additional help.
Personalised Learning – One-on-one tutoring offers customised support tailored to individual learning styles and needs.
COVID-19 Learning Gaps – Many students are still catching up after disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Classroom Diversity – With a growing number of multilingual students, tutoring helps bridge language and comprehension gaps.
Competitive Education – As subjects become more specialised, students require extra guidance to excel.

With these factors in play, tutoring has become an essential resource for many Canadian students striving for academic success.

How is Tutoring Different From Schooling?

Depending on the school, class sizes vary from about 20 to 30 students. Groups this big make it very difficult for teachers to cater to children’s unique and individual needs. Struggling students may not receive the help they need, while advanced students lack the resources to excel.

At its core, this is what sets tutoring apart from traditional schooling: a focus on the individual. Tutors are able to carefully assess where each student (also called the tutee) is experiencing challenges. They are then able to structure their teaching around those tricky topics.

Aren’t Teachers and Tutors the Same?

Not quite. While some tutors are teachers, the skills required for each role differ. Teachers manage large classrooms, enforcing discipline while covering broad curricula. Tutors, on the other hand, tailor their teaching to individual students, explaining concepts in multiple ways until they resonate. Neither role is superior—they simply serve different functions.

The Benefits of Tutoring in Canada

The key benefit of tutoring boils down to the fact that it is flexible and adaptable. A tutor is not tied down by rigid deadlines and being responsible for a large number of tutees. A private tutor brings freedom to the table for their tutee – the freedom to slow down, the freedom to ask questions and the freedom to express themselves in their own way.

Studies show tutoring improves test scores, as a result of this freedom. Brookings demonstrates the effectiveness of tutoring and reports:

“tutoring is remarkably effective at helping students learn, with over 80% of [recent] studies reporting statistically significant effects”.

Check out our full article about The Benefits of Tutoring to learn more.

What Does the Research Say?

Research conducted by The Future Skills Centre (Centre des Compétences futures), found that while most interventions in the education space have a positive effect, not all effects are equally impactful. The study further highlighted the following:

“Several meta-analyses show that high-dose tutoring (tutoring offered several times a week), has a consistent, substantial, and positive impact on academic achievement for all students, especially those facing serious academic difficulties. Its effectiveness equals or exceeds that shown for many other educational interventions—including early childhood education, after-school and summer programs, curriculum reforms, and counselling—especially for boosting skills in literacy and numeracy.” – (Gallagher-Mackay, Mundy, De Britto and Asim; ii)

Quality is also crucial. Bray (2021) highlights that outcomes depend heavily on a tutor’s skills and motivation, as well as the student’s readiness. Thus, finding the right tutor is as important as getting a tutor at all.

Finding the Right Tutor

Matching the right tutor with a student is essential. It’s important to understand what makes a good tutor, but also to be aware of the typical pitfalls. These next few sections will walk you through the different aspects to keep in mind.

What Makes a Good Tutor?

One of the most important qualities is the desire to help. That sense of passion and enthusiasm is very important to look out for. Here are other key attributes to look for:

Academic Excellence – A tutor must have a strong grasp of their subject, staying up to date with curriculum requirements.
A Clear Criminal Record and/or Vulnerable Sector Check – Since tutoring sometimes takes place at home, safety is paramount.
Patience and Encouragement – Learning can be slow. A tutor must remain patient and motivate students.
Commitment – Dedicated tutors prepare lessons and create resources tailored to their students.
Effective Communication – The ability to clearly explain concepts is vital.
Reliable Transport or Internet – Tutors must have dependable access to lessons, whether online or in person.
Training and Experience – While formal qualifications aren’t mandatory, experience enhances a tutor’s effectiveness.

Check out our full article on Finding the Right Tutor to learn more.

Potential Pitfalls When Searching for a Tutor

Sometimes you might need to compromise on some of the characteristics that you were hoping for. We’re going to take a look at some pitfalls to be aware of, when assessing the tutor options available to you.

Niche Mismatch – Ensure the tutor is familiar with the specific subject and curriculum.
Poor Communication – Clear expectations on rates, schedules, and commitment are essential.
Unreliable Tutors – Verify the tutor’s track record to avoid last-minute dropouts.
Lack of a Safety Net – Hiring a tutor through an agency can provide a backup if needed.
Over-reliance on Academic Excellence – High grades do not always translate into strong teaching ability.

Check out our full article on Avoiding Pitfalls When Searching for a Tutor to learn more.

Assessing the Quality of Tutoring Received

Once you’ve chosen a tutor, monitor the quality of the tutoring on an ongoing basis. This will give you an indication of whether you’ve made the right decision or whether you need to go back to the drawing board. You can monitor their effectiveness using these questions:

Does my child feel comfortable with the tutor?
Is the tutor on time and well-prepared?
Is the tutor neat, professional and amicable?
Does the tutor assign homework?

Experienced tutors will typically leave their tutee with “homework” or additional tasks to practice independently. This serves as a tool to reinforce learning and track progress.

How Do I Know If I Need Tutoring?

There’s no age limit for tutoring! This section explores the most common tutoring needs by age group, along with key signs that someone may benefit from extra support.

Kindergarten and Elementary School

Pro-active parents seek tutoring in Canada for their children at an early age, often after a teacher identifies areas where they’re struggling. Kindergarten tutoring typically focuses on early numeracy and literacy skills, and helps children to stay on track with their peers. Elementary school tutoring is usually subject-specific, particularly when a child’s marks are low. However, tutoring can also provide general homework support a few times a week.

If you’d like to learn more about kindergarten readiness, check out our Little Sparkz Enrichment program or look into our comprehensive Kindergarten Checklist.

High School Tutoring in Canada

Our data shows that high-demand subjects at this level are Mathematics (including Calculus, Functions and advanced programs); the Sciences (including Physics, Chemistry and Biology); and English. Here are key signs that a high schooler may need tutoring:

Failing grades – If your child is failing any subjects, early intervention is crucial.
Declining marks – A sudden drop in marks from one grade to the next may indicate gaps in foundational knowledge.
Long gaps between exposure – We’ve found that after “easy semesters” (those excluding Math), teenagers tend to struggle to get back into the swing of things.
University goals – Competitive degree programmes have strict entry requirements, making tutoring essential as early as Grade 10.

And remember, tutoring isn’t just for struggling students! It’s also valuable for those looking to deepen their understanding of subjects they love. This is especially true for those who want to go into the STEM fields after school.

Tertiary Students

Tutors can help with specific modules or provide broader academic guidance. They can also support you with subjects you didn’t study at school, ensuring you don’t fall behind. An example is someone doing a Marketing degree, needing to pass an Accounting module – who never had it at school. Students may need tutoring to prepare for exams or to complete assignments.

Preparing for the MCAT? Find out how an MCAT tutor can help get you top scores!

Tutoring for Adults

Tutoring in Canada isn’t just for students—adults can also benefit. Tutors can help with CPD (Continuous Professional Development) or new skills like coding, ensuring you stay competitive at work. A tutor can also help you to master a language or support your preparations for professional certification.

Need to write the IELTS? Learn how an IELTS tutor can help you achieve your target score!

Special Needs and Tutoring

If your child faces learning challenges that affect their academic progress, tutoring can provide valuable support. A skilled tutor can adapt lessons to suit their learning style, building confidence and skills at their own pace.

Read more about how tutors can support children with ADHD, Dyslexia or Dyscalculia.

Tutoring Options to Suit Every Situation

Extra classes at school often replicate the same challenges as regular lessons, limiting their effectiveness. That’s why we’ll only outline the most effective private tutoring options in this section.

1. In-Home Tutoring

A tutor teaches in your home, providing lessons in a familiar environment. For those who do not live in a very remote location, this allows for focused, one-on-one attention. In-person tutoring is best suited to younger children and tutees with barriers to learning. It may not be ideal for those with social anxiety or who prefer privacy.

2. Online Tutoring in Canada

Online tutoring offers flexibility and accessibility without compromising quality. Sessions typically take place on platforms like Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet, making expert tutors available regardless of location. The benefits of online tutoring are so numerous that they have a dedicated article, if you need more convincing.

3. Small Group Tutoring

Tutoring in small groups balances affordability with the benefits of collaborative learning and can be in-person or online. However, it means that all participants should need support with the exact same content. Provided the group is small enough, this mode can yield comparable results to one-on-one tutoring.

What to Expect From Tutoring in Canada

If you’ve never had a tutor before, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. When getting started it’s important that your expectations are realistic, so let’s unpack that.

Consistency is Key

Lessons need to take place at least once a week for tutoring to be effective. You read that right! You should prepare yourself to spend at least one hour with your tutor, every week.

Without this consistency your results might not meet your expectations, so consider your available time realistically.

When Will I See Results?

Real progress takes time – you won’t see results overnight. The time required depends on the complexity of the challenge, but we’ve put together a rough guide for you.

The Challenge	What’s Required	Average Timeline
You’re struggling with a specific concept or theme within a subject	The tutor will diagnose the core issue, revisit the basics of the concept. Once fully understood, the tutor will help with targeted practice and application.	You can expect to build your understanding over 3 – 4 weeks if it’s only a single concept.
You’ve fallen behind in a subject and you’re missing foundational knowledge	A tutor will identify the missing foundational knowledge and build it up over time. This means putting blocks in place and building on top of those.	This process can take 3 to 4 months if all goes well with 2 lessons per week, but might require additional time in severe cases.
Your grades are fine, but you want 90% or more	You will need enrichment exercises and a tutor will provide support if you get stuck.	Depending on how far from your target you are, you can expect to start seeing your results grow within 6 to 10 weeks.

This guide is an estimate and is dependent on many variables, however, putting in the required work is critical.

Additional Practice Outside of Tutoring

A weekly session alone won’t be enough—you’ll need independent practice too. You’re going to need to work through additional problems or questions on your own, to keep the momentum going. Based on expert input, here’s how much extra time you should commit:

The Challenge	Independent Practice Required
You’re struggling with a specific concept or theme within a subject	Expect to spend an additional 1 to 2 hours per week practising or revising content.
You’ve fallen behind in a subject and you’re missing foundational knowledge	Daily, you can expect to spend an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour practising.
Your marks are fine, but you want a distinction	You should spend an additional 2 to 3 hours per week to reinforce the tutoring.

A good tutor will help you to plan which exercises to practise and which content to revise in between your sessions.

Get the Most Out of Your Tutoring – Some Practical Tips

As the student, you have ultimate control over your learning process. To really squeeze maximum benefit out of your tutoring sessions, here are some tips for you to try:

1. Be Prepared

Before each session with your tutor, review the content you’d like to cover and the homework you did since your last session. Write down any questions that come up during school or lectures.

2. Do Your Homework

Try to be as consistent and diligent as possible. While doing homework, write down any questions that come to mind and make a note of any questions or content that you found especially challenging.

3. Communicate Your Needs

Be honest with your tutor about what works and what doesn’t – your feedback helps them adjust their approach. If you’re shy, you can share your thoughts via text message, email, or through your parents. The clearer you are, the better the results. Likewise, if you don’t understand something, speak up! A good tutor will find different ways to explain until it makes sense.

Maximising Tutoring Benefits – Tips for Parents

Above all, be kind to yourself and your child. Encourage regular practice, review key concepts together, and support their learning style. If possible, engaging in discussions and summarising lessons can be especially beneficial for auditory learners. Every bit of support helps your child achieve their goals, reinforcing their confidence and academic growth.

Check out our full article on Maximising Tutoring Benefits for Parents to learn more.

How Does BrightSparkz Tutors Make Life Easier?

BrightSparkz Tutors has been shaping academic success in Canada since 2019 and helps families in two key ways:

Finding the exact right tutor for each individual situation
Ensuring consistency by providing ongoing support to both clients and tutors

We pride ourselves on providing exceptional service, by being caring and tailoring our approach to each situation. Getting tutoring through BrightSparkz also means:

NO subscriptions or other long-term commitments
NO joining fees or any other hidden costs
Genuine care and consideration, with lessons offered in a safe, non-judgemental space

Our core team is based in Canada, not the United States. Because of this, we understand your needs and can be more agile to meet them.

BrightSparkz Finds Your Perfect Tutor

Research shows tutoring is only effective with a skilled tutor. Choosing the wrong one can be costly, so we ensure families avoid common pitfalls by covering all of the important bases on their behalf.

Strict Vetting Procedures

BrightSparkz receives tutor applications daily from across the country. Before placement, every applicant undergoes thorough screening, including:

Academic record verification
Interviews to assess communication and presentation skills
Requiring a mandatory and unblemished, up-to-date Criminal Record Check

Successful candidates join our extensive tutor database, where we track their tutoring hours.

Expert Tutor Matching

After understanding your needs and circumstances, an experienced professional carefully selects the best tutor from our database. Years of refining this process – reflected in our Google Reviews – ensures the perfect match.

We Provide a Safety Net

If a tutor can’t fulfil their commitment, we’ll replace them at no extra cost. Thanks to our immense reach, you’ll never be left without support.

Comprehensive Tutor Training

Every successful tutor added to our database completes our in-depth training programme. This training ensures they meet BrightSparkz’s high standards, regardless of prior experience.

BrightSparkz Provides Ongoing Support

Tutor placement is just the start. You’ll receive regular feedback on tutoring, check-ins from your Consultant, and seamless lesson tracking and renewals. That’s how we keep your learning uninterrupted.

Get Tutoring in Canada Today With Peace of Mind

To get started with a top-shelf BrightSparkz tutor, simply let us know what you need. If you have any questions, you can contact us through our website or send an email to learn@brightsparkz.ca

From BrightSparkz you’ll always receive quality service, an experienced and caring Consultant and an impeccable tutoring experience. Give us a try today!

This article has been adapted from our sister site.