Tutors work with students on active reading strategies like previewing text, asking questions while reading, and summarizing key ideas—skills that transform passive reading into deeper understanding. They also help students make connections between new material and what they already know, which research shows significantly improves retention. With personalized feedback and guided practice, students develop the confidence to tackle increasingly complex texts.

Yes. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who are familiar with Colorado's academic standards and the specific curricula used across Denver's 9 school districts. Whether your student attends a school in Denver Public Schools, Cherry Creek, or another district, tutors can align instruction with classroom expectations while also personalizing the approach to your child's unique learning style.

Many students show noticeable progress in fluency and confidence within 4-6 weeks of consistent, personalized instruction—though the timeline depends on where a student is starting and how frequently they meet with a tutor. Regular practice between sessions, combined with expert guidance, accelerates growth. The key is targeted practice on specific skills rather than generic reading exercises.

The first session is all about getting to know your student—their reading level, interests, strengths, and specific challenges. The tutor will assess where your child stands with phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, then work with you to set clear goals. This foundation helps create a personalized learning plan that actually works for your student's needs.

Absolutely. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction is particularly powerful for students who are struggling, because tutors can slow down, break skills into smaller steps, and provide immediate feedback without the pressure of a classroom setting. Tutors also help rebuild confidence, which is often as important as the skill-building itself. With consistent, expert support, many students catch up and develop a genuine love of reading.

Tutors work with advanced readers to deepen literary analysis skills, explore more complex texts, and develop critical thinking about what they read. They might focus on themes, character development, author's purpose, and making connections across multiple books. Personalized instruction ensures advanced students stay challenged and engaged rather than simply reading more of the same.

Varsity Tutors makes the process simple—you share your student's grade level, reading goals, and schedule preferences, and we connect you with a qualified tutor who's a great fit. You can start with a single session to see if it's working, then adjust frequency and focus based on progress. Most families find that consistent weekly sessions work best for building strong reading skills.