Frequently asked questions
How our online math and science tutoring works, from the free first lesson to what you see as a parent.
Getting started
How do we get started?
Book a free consultation online and tell us your child's grade, subjects and goals. We match your child with a tutor based on availability, and lessons start whenever suits you.
Is the first lesson free?
Yes. The first lesson with a new tutor is free. The tutor gets to know your child, shows them our online classroom, teaches a short lesson and agrees a schedule with you.
What happens in the first session?
Your child's tutor maps where they are, what they find hard and what they are aiming for. The tutor then builds a learning path around your child and follows it.
How soon can lessons start?
As soon as you are ready. Once your child is matched, the tutor books the first lesson at a time that works for you.
Tutors
Will my child have the same tutor all year?
Yes. Your child works with the same tutor every session, all year, in one-to-one and group courses alike. We only rematch if a match is not working or something unavoidable comes up. Tutors never rotate week to week.
What if the match is not right?
Tell us, and we will rematch your child with another tutor.
Who are your tutors?
Qualified tutors, vetted by us before they teach. We match each student with a tutor ourselves, rather than leaving families to choose from a list of profiles.
Lessons
Are lessons online, and what do we need?
Yes. Lessons are taught live in our own online classroom, which opens in the browser with nothing to install. Your child needs a quiet place, a working camera and microphone, and a good internet connection.
How long are lessons?
From 30 minutes to 2 hours, agreed with your tutor as part of your child's plan.
One-to-one or a group?
Both. One-to-one lessons are our most popular. Small groups take four students at most, so every student is heard in every session.
Can we cancel or move a lesson?
Yes, from the lesson in your calendar. With at least 24 hours' notice it is free, and a paid lesson becomes credit. Inside 24 hours you can still ask, and your tutor will talk it through with you.
What if my child misses a lesson?
For a one-to-one lesson, if your child has not joined within 15 minutes and nobody told us, the lesson counts as missed and is charged. Group sessions run as scheduled, and the tutor shares the materials and a recap with anyone who missed it.
Subjects and curriculum
What do you teach?
Mathematics and Science, every course from Grade 1 to university.
Do you follow the Ontario curriculum?
Yes, by default. We can follow other curricula on request.
Parents
What can parents see?
You get your own account showing who teaches your child, the schedule, and every lesson note, assessment and worksheet as soon as it is shared.
Does my child get their own login?
Yes, every student has their own login. Parents who want to stay in control create and manage their children's accounts from their own parent account, and one parent account covers every child in the family.
Fees
How much does tutoring cost?
Group course series are $249 per month (8 sessions). One-to-one tutoring is priced after the free consultation, based on your child's grade and subjects.
How do we pay?
Lessons are paid in advance, based on the plan your tutor sketches in the free first lesson. Plans longer than four weeks are paid in four-week blocks, by Interac e-Transfer.
Can we stop any time?
Yes. Every paid lesson that has not taken place is refunded in full.
Still have a question?
Book a free consultation, or email us at hello@pinationacademy.com.
Book a Free Consultation