The Peer Tutoring program at SAR High School has been one of the most sought after initiatives this year. Over 130 students have volunteered to become tutors in math, biology, chemistry, physics and AP biology. Through the program, high school students tutor each other as well as SAR Academy middle school students. Tutors attended a mandatory training session in October before being assigned a tutee, and currently meet with them on an individual basis at a mutually convenient time.
“Students who participate in the program experience greater psychological well-being, social competence, improved communication skills and better self-esteem,” said Leah Bader, science teacher and peer tutoring program coordinator. “It’s rewarding to watch them become stronger students and develop more confidence.”
“Peer tutoring allows me to connect with students in other grades that I normally wouldn’t interact with, and make new friendships,” said 11th grader Sarah Nerenberg (of Yonkers), who joined the Peer Tutoring program this year. “It also allows me to revisit the subjects that I loved.”
Both the tutor and the tutee benefit from peer tutoring. Tutees receive individualized attention, feel more comfortable learning when interacting with a peer, and gain a greater understanding of the material since they can easily relate to their peer tutor. Tutors can reinforce their own learning when helping others, and are grateful for the opportunity to help their peers succeed academically.
“Every child is gifted with a subject, and can help friends who struggle with it and vice versa through this program,” said a ninth grader.
“The peer tutoring program has been really good for me because my tutor takes time to help me really understand the material that she is helping me with,” said another ninth grader, “and, since she is explaining it student to student, I get very good grades on tests after meeting with her.”
Parents are equally thrilled with the results of the initiative. One mom of an 11th grader shared, “My husband and I are impressed and thankful for the time and energy our daughter’s tutor has put into guiding and explaining concepts to her. The peer tutoring program is nothing short of spectacular.”
This past Friday, tutors and tutees joined together for a Peer Tutoring Chanukah party featuring pizza, raffle prizes and a chance to bond (without studying). There was a feeling of camaraderie in the room as the students got to know each other in a stress-free environment. They are excited to see how much they can improve academically throughout the rest of the year thanks to this very beneficial program.
