The posting
Thrive Education Partners is seeking an exceptional ISEE preparation tutor to work with two upper-elementary and middle school students preparing for independent school admissions in Austin, TX. One tutor will provide individualized prep for an 8th-grade student working toward the Upper Level ISEE (for 9th-grade entry) and a 5th-grade student preparing for the Lower Level ISEE (for 6th-grade entry). You'll meet with each student for one hour, back-to-back each session, allowing you to work with both students in a focused, manageable time block while each receives personalized attention scaled to their developmental level.
Great test preparation goes far beyond drilling practice questions. It means understanding where each student currently sits academically, which skills are already strong, where meaningful gaps exist, and which strategies will help them approach the test successfully. Each student is different—one closer to high school readiness, the other in upper elementary—so the ideal tutor understands how to scale instruction, build age-appropriate test-taking habits, and strengthen the underlying reading, vocabulary, and mathematics skills that support ISEE performance across two different developmental levels.
The family is looking for a warm, responsive educator who can work with both students, adjust preparation to fit their individual needs, monitor progress carefully, and communicate clearly about what's working and where adjustments are needed. You'll have the opportunity to build strong relationships with both students, make test preparation productive rather than stressful, and help each one walk into their respective ISEE feeling confident and prepared.
What You'll Do
- Conduct an initial assessment for each student using available practice tests, school performance data, and observation to identify their current strengths, skill gaps, and readiness across ISEE content areas (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics Achievement).
- Develop a targeted, individualized preparation plan for each student based on their starting point, grade level, and testing timeline.
- Provide focused instruction in vocabulary development, reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, and quantitative problem-solving at the level appropriate to each student.
- Explicitly teach test-taking strategies tailored to each student's needs—including pacing, question analysis, process of elimination, and how to approach unfamiliar or challenging questions.
- Use practice questions and timed sections to monitor each student's progress, identify areas where additional instruction is needed, and adjust your approach as they develop.
- Administer and analyze full and partial practice tests for each student, using results to inform your instructional priorities and measure progress over time.
- Build a strong, trusting relationship with each student, creating sessions that are engaging, appropriately challenging, and developmentally matched.
- Manage back-to-back one-hour sessions efficiently so that each student receives undivided attention and clear transitions between them.
- Communicate regularly with the family and Thrive's team about each student's progress, areas of focus, and preparation timeline.
- Adjust instruction when a strategy isn't producing the expected progress or when a student's needs shift.
Our Approach
At Thrive, effective ISEE preparation means more than completing practice questions or memorizing test-taking tricks. Our tutors work to understand each student's starting point, identify the skills and strategies that will have the greatest impact, and build an intentional preparation plan that evolves as the student progresses. When you're working with two students at different levels, that understanding becomes even more important—you're not running a one-size-fits-all prep sequence; you're designing instruction that meets each student where they actually are.
We're looking for a tutor who can make ISEE preparation productive without making it unnecessarily stressful. You'll strengthen the academic skills, test familiarity, strategies, and confidence both students need to walk into test day feeling prepared and capable—while keeping the process constructive and age-appropriate for each child
Requirements
We're Looking for Someone Who...
- Has significant experience tutoring or teaching upper-elementary or middle school students, with direct experience in ISEE preparation or similar standardized admissions testing.
- Can assess each student's starting point and design a targeted preparation plan rather than relying solely on generic test-prep materials.
- Understands the ISEE across all four content areas and can teach both the underlying academic skills and the test-specific strategies students need.
- Can work at two different developmental levels simultaneously, adjusting language, pace, and expectations to fit a 5th grader and an 8th grader in the same session block.
- Can teach age-appropriate test-taking strategies—pacing, question analysis, educated guessing, managing pressure—that feel natural rather than mechanical.
- Understands how to strengthen reading, vocabulary, and math skills while also building test familiarity and reducing unnecessary anxiety.
- Is highly responsive and willing to adjust instruction based on practice-test results and student progress rather than following a fixed script.
- Can use performance data from practice tests to identify specific skill gaps and adjust your focus accordingly.
- Brings warmth, patience, genuine enthusiasm for working with younger students, and a real ability to connect and build confidence.
- Values clear, timely communication with families and can explain student progress, priorities, and next steps in accessible language.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Education, English, Mathematics, or a related field.
- Prior experience providing ISEE preparation or other independent school admissions test prep.
- Experience as a test-prep tutor, upper-elementary or middle school teacher, reading or math specialist, or private tutor.
- Strong knowledge of reading comprehension, vocabulary, and mathematics at both the upper-elementary and middle school levels.
- Experience using diagnostic data and practice-test results to design individualized preparation plans.
- Familiarity with independent-school admissions testing and the structure of the ISEE or comparable assessments.
- Experience tutoring siblings or managing multiple students with different academic levels.
Professional Standards
- Current background check required; Thrive facilitates this process
- Verifiable references from prior teaching, tutoring, or academic roles
- Strong professionalism, reliability, discretion, and communication
- Commitment to providing consistent, high-quality support throughout the school year
Benefits
Compensation
- $60–$100/hour, commensurate with experience, credentials, and depth of ISEE prep expertise
- Competitive compensation, with opportunities for rate increases based on experience, performance, and continued work with Thrive
- Consistent recurring weekly schedule
- Opportunity for ongoing work with students throughout the school year
- Opportunities for additional placements with Thrive based on availability and fit
Logistics
- Location: Austin, TX; in-home
- Schedule: 2-hour session block per visit (1 hour per student)
- Frequency: 1–2 times per week, depending on preparation timeline and family preference
- Start Date: Flexible; family can begin within the next 2–3 weeks
- Commitment: Consistent support from now through ISEE testing and admissions decision
- Scheduling: Family has flexibility and is open to establishing a consistent schedule that works for you both
Support
- Personalized matching—Thrive vets families thoroughly before introductions, so your time is spent with qualified, serious clients
- Dedicated placement coordinator throughout the hiring process
- Access to Thrive's educator network and resources
- Ongoing placement opportunities with Thrive Education Partners
Why This Role
This role is ideal for an educator who enjoys individualized test preparation and knows how to help students at different developmental stages approach standardized testing strategically and confidently. Rather than running a generic prep sequence, you'll have the autonomy to assess each student, identify their specific priorities, and build instruction around what will actually move the needle for them.
You'll work with two engaged students whose family is serious about preparation and invested in their success. The 2-hour session block is manageable and efficient—two hours a week means you can see measurable progress with both students, build momentum, and maintain the consistency that makes good test prep work. The flexibility in scheduling means you can build a sustainable routine that works for your life.
Most importantly, you'll have the opportunity to help two students strengthen their skills, develop real confidence in their ability to handle challenging content, and walk into their respective ISEE feeling genuinely prepared—which is exactly what test preparation should do.
About Thrive
Thrive Education Partners connects exceptional educators with families seeking highly personalized, values-driven education.
Our placements go beyond traditional tutoring and classroom teaching. We thoughtfully match educators and families to create individualized learning experiences built on strong relationships and instruction that responds to how each student learns. Students strengthen academic skills, build confidence, and make meaningful progress toward their goals.
Thrive Education Partners is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on experience, skills, and business needs, without regard to any status protected by applicable law.
