In-Home ISEE Prep Tutor

Thrive Education Partners is seeking an exceptional ISEE prep tutor to provide individualized test preparation for a 5th-grade student preparing for the ISEE. We are looking for a warm, dynamic, and highly responsive educator who understands how to make test preparation engaging and effective for an upper-elementary student while building both skills and confidence.

Great test preparation starts with understanding the individual student: where they are currently performing, which skills are already strong, where meaningful gaps exist, and which strategies will help them approach the test successfully. Our tutors use that understanding to establish clear priorities, provide targeted instruction, and help students make measurable progress leading up to test day.

The ideal candidate has strong experience working with upper-elementary or middle school students and a deep understanding of standardized test preparation, ideally including the ISEE. This person should be able to move beyond simply working through practice questions—using diagnostic information and student performance to identify areas for growth, explicitly teach both academic skills and test-taking strategies, and adjust preparation as the student progresses.

What You'll Do

• Provide individualized ISEE preparation for a 5th-grade student preparing for independent-school admissions.
• Assess the student's starting point using available practice tests, diagnostic results, school information, and observations to identify preparation priorities.
• Develop a targeted preparation plan based on the student's strengths, skill gaps, and anticipated testing timeline.
• Provide focused instruction across relevant ISEE content areas, including Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics Achievement.
• Strengthen underlying skills in vocabulary, reading comprehension, and mathematics when needed rather than focusing exclusively on test-taking strategies.
• Explicitly teach age-appropriate test-taking strategies, including pacing, question analysis, process of elimination, educated guessing, and approaching unfamiliar questions.
• Help the student become comfortable with the structure, format, and expectations of the ISEE through intentional practice and exposure.
• Use practice questions, timed sections, and practice-test results to monitor progress and identify areas requiring additional instruction.
• Adjust instruction when a strategy or approach is not producing the expected progress.
• Build a strong, trusting relationship with the student and create sessions that are engaging, encouraging, and appropriately challenging.
• Communicate thoughtfully and professionally with parents and Thrive's educational team about progress, priorities, and areas of continued focus.

Our Approach

At Thrive, effective test preparation means more than completing practice questions or memorizing test-taking tricks. Our tutors work to understand each student's starting point, identify the skills and strategies that will have the greatest impact, and build an intentional preparation plan that evolves as the student progresses.

We're looking for a tutor who can make ISEE preparation productive without making it unnecessarily stressful—building the academic skills, test familiarity, strategies, and confidence a 5th-grade student needs to walk into test day feeling prepared and capable.

We're Looking for Someone Who...

• Has significant experience tutoring or teaching upper-elementary or middle school students, ideally including students preparing for independent-school admissions.
• Has direct experience with ISEE preparation or similar standardized admissions testing.
• Has a strong understanding of the ISEE, including Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics Achievement.
• Can identify a student's specific strengths and gaps and build a targeted preparation plan rather than relying solely on generic test-prep materials.
• Can teach age-appropriate test-taking strategies, including pacing, question analysis, educated guessing, and managing unfamiliar or challenging questions.
• Can strengthen underlying reading, vocabulary, writing, and math skills while also preparing the student for the format and demands of the ISEE.
• Understands how to make test preparation engaging and developmentally appropriate for younger students.
• Is highly responsive and able to adjust instruction based on practice-test results and the student's progress.
• Understands the importance of practice testing and progress monitoring and can use performance data to guide instruction.
• Can build confidence and reduce unnecessary pressure while still maintaining high expectations and a clear sense of progress.
• Brings warmth, patience, energy, and a genuine ability to connect with students.
• Values clear communication and collaboration with families around progress, priorities, and preparation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Education, English, Mathematics, or a related field.
• Prior experience providing ISEE preparation strongly preferred.
• Experience as a test-prep tutor, upper-elementary or middle school teacher, reading or math specialist, or private tutor.
• Strong knowledge of reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, and mathematics at the upper-elementary and middle school levels.
• Experience using diagnostic or practice-test results to identify skill gaps and develop individualized preparation plans.
• Familiarity with independent-school admissions testing and the expectations surrounding the ISEE or comparable assessments is a plus.

Compensation

• $60–$100/hour, commensurate with experience, credentials, and depth of test-prep expertise
• Competitive compensation, with opportunities for rate increases based on experience, performance, and continued work with Thrive
• Part-time role with consistent weekly hours
• Opportunity for ongoing work with Thrive families beyond this placement

Logistics

• Location: Cary, NC; primarily in-home
• Schedule: Consistent weekly tutoring at mutually agreed-upon times
• Commitment: Consistent support throughout the student's ISEE preparation and testing timeline
• Start Date: Family is prepared to move forward within the next 1–2 weeks
• Scheduling: Family has flexibility and is open to establishing a consistent schedule with the right tutor

The goal is to create a focused, consistent preparation plan that gives the tutor time to understand the student's starting point, identify the areas where targeted instruction can make the greatest difference, and build the skills and strategies needed for strong performance on the ISEE.

Support

• Personalized matching—Thrive vets families thoroughly before introductions, so your time is spent with qualified, serious clients
• Dedicated placement coordinator throughout the hiring process
• Access to Thrive’s educator network and resources
• Ongoing placement opportunities with Thrive

Why This Role

This role is a great fit for an educator who enjoys individualized test preparation and knows how to help younger students approach standardized testing strategically and confidently.

Rather than simply working through practice questions, the family is looking for a tutor who can determine where the student can make the greatest gains and build a thoughtful preparation plan around those needs. You’ll have the opportunity to strengthen underlying academic skills, explicitly teach ISEE-specific strategies, monitor progress through practice and assessment, and adjust instruction as the student develops.

The goal is to help the student walk into the ISEE with stronger skills, effective strategies, familiarity with the test, and confidence in their ability to perform well.

About Thrive

Thrive Education Partners connects exceptional educators with families seeking highly personalized, values-driven education.

Our placements go beyond traditional tutoring. We thoughtfully match educators and families to create individualized learning experiences where students can strengthen academic skills, build confidence, and make meaningful progress toward their goals.

Thrive Education Partners is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on experience, skills, and business needs, without regard to any status protected by applicable law.