1-on-1 tutoring — in person in Salt Lake City, online everywhere
Learning is personal. It's true for our students and it's true for all of us. But learning can also be engaging – even fun. A 30-on-1 or even a 4-on-1 classroom can provide the material, but it can't cater to the needs of an individual student the same way 1-on-1 tutoring can.
We pair each student with a high-caliber mentor for truly individualized learning. Pass a class, pass a test, make up credits, graduate, or just develop a lasting love for learning.
Who it's for
Students at international and American schools abroad planning to take the SAT or ACT
Online, scheduled on your school's clock. SAT and ACT prep in the digital SAT and enhanced ACT formats HGL's classes use, plus AP and IB subjects, school coursework and university application essays.
Students in the Salt Lake City area
In person at our office at 380 Pierpont Avenue in downtown Salt Lake City, or online. Students who live in Utah pay the Utah rate, because grants and funding cover part of the fee.
Students who took one of our classes
The discounted pre-class 1-on-1 package is offered only when you register for a class; after a class, a post-class package keeps the progress going.
Subjects
SAT/ACT
Our 1-on-1 SAT or ACT tutoring sessions are designed to help students overcome their specific weaknesses, exploit their strengths, and refine strategies that are specific to their situation and test-taking style. These sessions are perfect for students who are taking the test multiple times, reaching for exceptionally high scores, or facing unique challenges. Students also receive unlimited access to online practice materials and extra diagnostic tests with score reports.
AP/IB
Our 1-on-1 AP or IB test prep sessions help students fill in any missing content and refine strategies that are specific to their situation and test-taking style. Each student, each test, and each situation is different, so we customize a bespoke action plan to help each student reach their potential.
Academic
Whether it’s fractions or fractional calculus, reading or relativity, study skills or stoichiometry, we provide flexible instruction and hours that are especially well suited to students with unique needs and busy schedules.
University application essays
Essays are a critical component in a university application, and an AI-produced essay is not going to bring a student’s unique character to life. A great application essay transcends class grades, resume items, or test scores and is a golden opportunity to add depth and nuance to your application. Higher Ground Learning has the experience to not only recognize a good essay when we see it, but also to help you build it, piece by piece.
GRE/GMAT
The GMAT and GRE CATs pose unusual challenges, and success on these exams comes down to putting in specific, guided practice in order to know yourself well enough as a test-taker to overcome the mental hurdles that CATs present. Our customized tutoring sessions are designed to help you create strategies that are specific to your strengths and dial in your test-taking skills so that you can perform to your potential on test day.
How it works
Book a free consultation. Tell us about your student, their goals and their timeline.
We'll match a student with one of our excellent tutors. It matters who you learn from. We match students to tutors based on students' strengths, weaknesses, goals, and personalities.
Sessions on your clock. Every session is scheduled in your family's time zone. Reminders with meeting links come however you want – text, email, or WhatsApp.
Notes after every session. The tutor's notes arrive in your family portal after each session.
Our tutors come at two levels: Expert and Elite. Honestly, all of our tutors are fantastic, personable, knowledgeable, well-trained, professional, and fun. But some of them have been at Higher Ground helping students for over 15 years, living and breathing these subjects. They have made such a name for themselves that their schedules are often full, so it costs a bit more to get some time with them.
Pricing
SAT/ACT
| Tutor | Utah, USA | Other locations |
|---|---|---|
| Expert tutor | $110 an hour | $130 an hour |
| Elite tutor | $130 an hour | $150 an hour |
AP/IB
| Tutor | Utah, USA | Other locations |
|---|---|---|
| Expert tutor | $110 an hour | $130 an hour |
| Elite tutor | $130 an hour | $150 an hour |
Academic
| Tutor | Utah, USA | Other locations |
|---|---|---|
| Expert tutor | $75 an hour | $110 an hour |
| Elite tutor | $100 an hour | $120 an hour |
University application essays
| Tutor | Utah, USA | Other locations |
|---|---|---|
| Expert tutor | $130 an hour | $130 an hour |
GRE/GMAT
| Tutor | Utah, USA | Other locations |
|---|---|---|
| Expert tutor | $130 an hour | $130 an hour |
Packages of 5, 10 or 15 hours at the hourly rate. Utah prices are lower because grants and funding cover part of the fee for Utah students.
Tutors
William Thomas
President
Eric Brown
Executive Director
Jason Topa
Managing Director
Kelsie Rank
Operations Director
Gwen De Silva
International SAT
Kevin Marren
SAT/ACT, Math, Spanish
What families say
“There is no way my student would have made it through high school without this terrific, caring place.”
“I am extremely excited to tell you that I got my best EVER score and I improved by 180 points. I GOT A 1500!!!! I would not have been able to do this without your help. I hope you keep teaching students just like you taught me, because you are probably one of the best teachers I have ever had.”
“We were so impressed with the professionalism of the program and their ability to work with kids who have different learning styles.”
Questions families ask
Do you tutor online outside the US?
Yes. HGL tutors work online with students around the world, many of them at the international schools where HGL teaches its classes.
What time zones can you schedule?
Any. Sessions are scheduled in your family's time zone; after the consultation we propose a schedule that's tailored to each student's availability.
Is tutoring in-person or online in Salt Lake City?
Either way! Students who live in Utah can meet their tutor in person at our office at 380 Pierpont Avenue in downtown Salt Lake City, or work online if they prefer.
How are tutors matched?
We match each student by subject, goals, schedule and even interests – it matters to learn from someone you like!
What's the minimum?
Packages bought on their own come in 5, 10 or 15 hours, so the minimum is 5 hours — enough time to make real progress. If you prefer a regular weekly schedule billed monthly, just book a consultation and we'll set it up.
Can we switch tutors?
Yes. This doesn’t happen too often, but it is possible. Every student’s success is what matters the most, and a good match between student and tutor is crucial to each student’s success. Let us know your concerns and we’ll make it right, whether that means making adjustments to session flow or pedagogy, full or partial refunds, or placing you with a new tutor.
Do you tutor AP, IB, GRE, GMAT or essays?
Yes: AP and IB subjects, the GRE and GMAT, academic subjects from fractions to calculus, and university application essays.
How do we start?
You can get started buy choosing a block of hours and giving us your availability. You can also book a free consultation. In either case, we'll recommend a tutor and a plan, and propose a schedule.