We’re the premier tutoring service in San Diego. You reach, we’ll teach.
Tell us about your student, and we’ll match them with a UC San Diego tutor who fits.
At Cardinal Tutors, we know how much the right teacher and mentor can mean in your student’s life. We want to get to know their interests, understand their challenges and hear about their goals and dreams. Whether they’re finding their confidence in class or reaching for an ambitious next step, we’re here to help them move forward with someone who believes in them.
Cardinal Tutors pairs San Diego students with UC San Diego tutors for one-on-one help in math, science, writing, the SAT and ACT, the ISEE and college essays. We work with families in La Jolla, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas, Coronado, Poway and 4S Ranch, at home or online.
A real person makes the match
Cardinal Tutors was founded by Stanford students in 2010, and our team gets to know each family before recommending a tutor. When you get in touch, we ask about your student’s classes, interests, goals and schedule, then choose a UC San Diego tutor who fits all of it. We check in after the first few sessions to hear how things are going, and we change the match if it isn’t right. You can read what parents say about working with us.
In-home tutoring: we come to you
Our tutors come to your home for personalized, one-on-one tutoring, so your student can learn in a familiar setting without another trip in your day. Learning at home also helps students build study habits they can keep using on their own, in the same place they do their homework. We tutor at home across San Diego, in each of the towns we serve, and we also offer online tutoring.
Tutors who were in your student’s seat not long ago
Our San Diego tutors are UC San Diego undergraduates and graduate students. They remember juggling difficult classes, exams and college applications, and they share the study habits that worked for them. We choose them for how clearly and patiently they explain, and for how comfortable a student feels asking them questions. The mentoring matters as much as the homework. Learn more about our San Diego tutors.
San Diego schools, San Diego tests
Families here have their own milestones: the 6th grade math tests that decide middle school placement, the lottery for Canyon Crest Academy and San Dieguito Academy, Cathedral Catholic’s January placement test, the ISEE for Bishop’s, Country Day and Francis Parker, and UC applications in the fall of senior year. Our tutors prepare students for each of them. Start with your school, or see everything we offer.
Math placement starts early in San Diego. San Dieguito tests 6th graders in the spring, Poway gives a placement test before 6th grade, and Coronado uses its own tests. Our tutors help your student prepare for that step and keep up once classes begin. Learn more about our San Diego math tutoring.
What Cardinal Tutors families say
“My daughter went from a C in Algebra II to an A- in one semester. The tutor was great, she really related to my daughter and made learning fun for her. Not only did her grade in math improve, her study habits improved and she’s doing better in all of her classes.”
Eduardo S. · Yelp review
What Cardinal Tutors families say
“The long term tutor that we had for pre calc and for ACT tutoring was amazing. She was completely professional, organized, thorough and easy to work with.”
Melissa H. · Yelp review
What Cardinal Tutors families say
“My son was a senior this year and I reached out to Cardinal Tutors and was lucky enough to find the most amazing tutor. I wish I had found him earlier.”
Sharon C. · Yelp review
Sessions are one-on-one, at your home or online.
Tell us about your student, and we’ll match them with a UC San Diego tutor who fits.