This Philadelphia tutoring FAQ starts with the basics: getting started is simple. Book a free consultation through our Contact page or the “Request Consultation” button. We’ll talk through your student’s needs, grade level, and goals, then schedule a diagnostic assessment. From there, Thomas designs a customized plan and we match your student with the right sessions.

The consultation is a free, no-pressure conversation about your student. We discuss current challenges, academic goals, learning style, scheduling, and any accommodations your student needs. By the end, you’ll understand exactly how we can help and what a personalized tutoring plan would look like, with no obligation to commit.

We don’t offer a separate trial session, but we make it easy to start small. Every family begins with a free consultation, and you’re welcome to book a single session at a time, and there’s no requirement to commit to a package up front. That said, our multi-session and prepay discounts (10% for 4+ sessions a month, 12% for a 12-session package) reward families who commit, so booking ahead saves you money compared to paying one session at a time.

Sessions are 60 minutes by default, with 90-minute and 120-minute options available. We can also customize session length to fit your student’s attention span, subject demands, and schedule.

We meet your student where they learn best: in-home tutoring, online (via Google Meet and Google Classroom), or in community spaces such as libraries. Many families mix formats depending on the week.

Yes, life happens, and rescheduling is available. We just ask for at least 12 hours’ notice so we can adjust the schedule. Reschedules requested less than 12 hours before a session are charged half the session cost, with case-by-case consideration for genuine emergencies and special circumstances. Just reach out as early as you can and we’ll work with you.

Rates depend on grade level and subject: Elementary (K–5) is $50/hr, Middle School (6–8) is $50/hr, High School (9–12) is $60/hr, Advanced/College-level STEM is $70/hr, and Standardized Test Prep is $90/hr. Every rate includes diagnostic assessments, customized lesson plans, and parent-portal feedback. Full details are on our Pricing page.

Yes. Book 4 or more sessions per month for 10% off your hourly rate, or prepay for a 12-session package for 12% off. Quarterly invoicing is also available. These savings make consistent, committed tutoring more affordable for families.

We invoice monthly or quarterly, whichever works better for your family. Pay-ahead options unlock additional discounts (see our packages). We’ll set up the billing schedule that fits you during onboarding.

You’re hiring a certified educator, not a college student picking up side work. Every student gets a diagnostic assessment, a lesson plan Thomas designs specifically for them, neurodivergent-inclusive instruction, and real-time progress through a parent portal. We also pay our tutors fairly, above market rate, so committed educators stay. You’re getting a system, not a pickup service.

Neurodivergent-inclusive design is built into everything we do, not added as an afterthought. Whether your student has dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or dyscalculia, our lesson plans and teaching strategies are designed to work for diverse learners. Our founder was diagnosed with a learning difference himself, which is why this commitment is foundational.

Neurodivergent-inclusive means we design our teaching for the full range of how brains learn, rather than expecting every student to fit one mold. Accommodations, like flexible pacing and multiple explanation strategies, and sensory-aware sessions, are part of our standard approach for every learner.

Our test prep covers the SAT, ACT, AP Exams (all subjects), ISEE/SSAT (independent school entrance), and the ASVAB (military entrance). Each exam gets exam-specific strategy, practice tests, and test-anxiety support.

It depends on the exam. For the SAT/ACT we recommend 8–12 weeks of focused prep; for AP Exams, 12–16 weeks before the May test window; and for the ISEE/SSAT, 3–6 months, since those exams require a longer runway. Starting earlier always gives us more room to build skills and confidence.

Absolutely. Our instruction is neurodivergent-inclusive by design, so we build prep around your student’s approved accommodations (such as extended time or a distraction-reduced setting) so practice mirrors real test conditions. We also help students and families navigate the application process for testing and academic accommodations through their school or district when needed, at no extra cost.

Dreaming Elephants Tutoring was founded in 2017 by Thomas Sumter III (with Dr. Jeremy Cooper). Thomas is the founder, sole operator, and lead educator. He holds a BS in Chemistry & Biology from Voorhees University (an HBCU), has 20+ years of tutoring experience since 2006, and is Lean Six Sigma certified with a PMP certification in progress.

Yes. Every session is led by a certified or degreed educator, a subject-matter expert, not a college student picking up side work. Our tutors are professional teachers, certified educators, or a mix of both, and any tutor still completing their certification or degree at the time of hiring is already an expert in their subject. You always get a qualified educator who knows the material and knows how to teach it.

We hire only certified or degreed educators, professional teachers, certified educators, or a mix of both, including those who are in the process of completing those certifications or degrees at the time of hiring. The non-negotiable standard is that every tutor is a genuine subject-matter expert, so every session is led by an educator who truly knows their field. (Today, founder Thomas Sumter III is the lead educator delivering sessions as the company grows.)