Tutor Time is a pre-college program sponsored by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Admissions Office. Part of the Federal Work-Study programs - America Reads and America Counts - Tutor Time is intended to help children learn and be academically successful. Participating in the program increases students' self esteem, and develops students' confidence and a continued desire to learn in a safe, encouraging environment. Since 1995, participating RPI students have worked in local schools, along side teachers in their classrooms, helping students with their subjects. Since the fall of 2001, RPI college students have tutored children in grades PreK-12 in mathematics and reading and in other subjects on request every Saturday at various locations in Troy. All children from the capital region are eligible to participate in the program.
Email pipelineprograms@rpi.edu for information.
Reading and Math Help
Children who attend the program will receive assistance with basic math and reading skills, and help with other subjects as needed. Some children begin Tutor Time struggling in school and others just want to be challenged. All students discover they enjoy learning when they are supported by the RPI student staff who help reinforce concepts and ideas that the children are learning in school. Students are asked to bring with them materials that they wish to understand. Parents are encouraged to acquire supplementary materials from the student's teacher for the student to work on during the tutoring session whenever possible.
Reading is a key building block for all learning. It is the national consensus that a child should master reading by the end of the third grade, or risk falling further behind. Tutor Time helps students with basic reading skills to students in kindergarten through third grade, and to older students needing review. Students benefit from an integrated approach to reading that combines word and letter recognition, phonics and comprehension. We will assist young readers find meaning in what they read and learn how to sharpen both oral and listening skills. We provide a positive and encouraging environment for young children that will facilitate learning.
- Phonics
- Writing
- Letter recognition
- Age-appropriate reading tools
Mathematics is the key to opportunity. Tutor Time's math program assists students from K-9 to apply fundamental, grade appropriate math skills. Today's students must achieve high academic standards to stay on track for college and promising careers. One means of helping students improve their math achievement is to provide them with personal attention and additional learning opportunities through tutoring and mentoring.
The following topics are among the math skills Tutor Time practices with students:
- Basic computation (addition, multiplication and division)
- Equations
- Numeration
- Fractions and decimals
- Problem solving
- Measurement
- Graphing
2024-2025 Program Registration and Calendar
Appointments - Tutor Time works on an appointment basis at each of its locations. Students are given one-hour appointments between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Each time the student comes to Tutor Time, they may arrange their next appointment. Because of high demand for tutoring, we cannot guarantee that students will get the same appointment time each week; however, this policy provides the flexibility for families with busy schedules to schedule their next appointment at their convenience. We appreciate being notified of the need to cancel in advance at pipelineprograms@rpi.edu, because we often have a waiting list of students desiring help. On Friday afternoons, participants are sent a reminder for their appointment the next day.
RPI's holiday breaks do not coincide exactly with the breaks for the local schools, especially in the spring semester. Families can plan that tutoring will be available almost every week throughout the year when RPI is in session, whether the school their child attends is in session or not.
- September 14, 2024 - Tutor Time begins virtually.
- November 30, 2024 - Thanksgiving holiday - no Tutor Time
- December 17, 2024- Last Tutor Time session before holiday break.
- January 18, 2025 - Tutor Time resumes for the spring semester, virtually & in-person (details will be posted here)
- March 8, 2025- RPI Spring Break- no Tutor Time
- April 26, 2025 - Last Tutor Time sessions - RPI Exams and Summer Break begins for RPI students
Tutoring Sessions
Downtown Troy - Blitman Hall (Conference Room)
1800 6th Avenue, Troy, NY 12180
Hours: Saturdays by appointment at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Call (518) 276-3098, for information, and to make an appointment.
Parking: Free parking is available in the lot between Blitman and the Uncle Sam Bowling Alley.
Drop Off / Pick Up: Parents are required to sign-in and sign-out their children for each appointment. Enter Blitman on its north side at the door facing the Bowling Alley. The Tutor Time sign will be posted by the door. This entrance to the facility is fully accessible for tutoring. (Do not enter the building's front door on 6th Avenue - it is card access only for RPI students and is not available for program use.)
Registration Form
Downtown Troy application (Blitman Dormatory, 1800 6th Avenue) (pdf)
If you have trouble downloading either of the pdf, please call us at 518-276-3098 and we will send it to you. Return completed application to either your child's school or to RPI at one of the following addresses:
Mailing Address:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
RPI Tutor Time Program
J-Building, Suite 4400
110 Eighth Street
Troy, NY 12180
Fax: (518) 276-8194
E-mail: pipelineprograms@rpi.edu
Appointments - Once the application is received, Tutor Time staff will call you to schedule the first appointment. Tutor Time works on an appointment basis. Students are given one-hour appointments between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Each time the student comes to Tutor Time, they may arrange their next appointment. Because of high demand for tutoring, we cannot guarantee that students will get the same appointment time each week; however, this policy provides the flexibility for families with busy schedules to schedule their next appointment at their convenience.
Parents and guardians may call the number below to set-up, reschedule or cancel tutoring sessions for their students. During regular business hours, Monday–Friday, you will be able to talk directly to Tutor Time staff to arrange appointments. Messages left at other times will be returned by the next regular business day. On Saturdays, between 10 a.m.–3 p.m., you will be able to leave a message and your call should be returned by a student staff member within an hour.
P: (518) 276-3098
In addition, parents may call for weather-related cancellations. If there is no message on our voicemail about a closure, parents should assume that Tutor Time is occurring.