Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do students find out about Tutoring Plus?
A: Most students live in Cambridge's Area IV neighborhood or they find out about us by word of mouth, friends, or other after school programs in the area. Students are also referred to our program by school staff.
Q. Do students pay a fee to participate in Tutoring Plus’ programs?
A. All tutoring services and enrichment programs are provided free of charge.
Q. Do the same students come each evening?
A. Yes. The same students are committed to coming each evening.
Q. How many students participate in Tutoring Plus’ programs?
A. We have 100-130 students registered in our programs throughout the school year.
Q. What are the ages of the students in the program?
A. The students range from 8-18 years old. We work with students in grades four through twelve.
Q. Where do the tutoring programs take place?
A. All programs take place in a school or community-based organization in locations across Cambridge.
Q. Do you provide dinner to the students?
A. No. If a student is coming from home, they usually eat dinner before they come to the center. For middle-school students, we provide a snack before you arrive.
Q. Once I submit my volunteer application, how long is it before I know if I’ve been accepted or not? And then how long before I begin training and actually tutoring?
A. We will acknowledge the receipt of your application within three business days via e-mail and then begin checking your references. Once we speak to your references, we’ll contact you to schedule a 20-minute in-person interview and a volunteer orientation.
Q. As a volunteer tutor, will I be expected to develop lesson plans?
A. No. Students typically bring their homework assigned by classroom teachers. If a child has no homework, Tutoring Plus’ staff will provide supplemental materials.
Q. I’ve never tutored before, what kind of training will I get?
A. Volunteer tutors are required to attend an orientation before they begin tutoring. We also have training opportunities throughout the school year.
Q. What if my student has a problem that I don’t know how to deal with?
A. Each tutoring center has a site manager, who will make sure that the center is running smoothly. We encourage all tutors to communicate with their on-site staff and use them as a resource to address specific problems.
Q. Your web site says that tutoring takes place once a week. Will I be expected to volunteer at other times as well?
A. No. Your commitment is one day a week for one hour, for a minimum of four months.
Q. The tutoring program I want to volunteer for runs for four months. I’m going to be away for two weeks during that time. Should I still volunteer?
A. We understand that you might have travel commitments. Tutoring Plus will work with you around your time constraints.
Q. What do I do if I have to miss a tutoring session unexpectedly?
A. If you will be absent, please call the main office and/or send an e-mail to the on-site manager by 3pm of the day of the absence. However, the more notice you can give the better.
Q. If I want to volunteer for another tutoring cycle, can I stay with the same student?
A. Yes. We actually encourage tutors to continue to build the relationship. We will only reassign matches if the tutor is not comfortable tutoring in the areas in which the child needs help.
Q. How do you find volunteers?
A. Most of our volunteers find out about us through the Internet and volunteer fairs.
Q. Who are the tutors?
A. The majority of tutors are young professional (ages 22-33) who live or work near Cambridge. In addition, many undergraduate and graduate students from local universities volunteer with us.
Interested in volunteering? Apply Now! Or contact us at 617-349-6588 x422 or info@tutoringplus.org.