The Right Approach To Education

How can you motivate my child to love learning again?
When parents describe to their peers what we do, we are often described as mentors. This is because we do not apply a ‘one size fits all’ methodology to our students. We take the time to get to know each child and work to pinpoint what he or she needs as an individual learner. Our students enjoy their sessions and feel proud of their accomplishments. As a result, they feel motivated to continue learning and growing academically and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of training do TRA teachers have?

What specialties do you cover?
We are a team of certified teachers and/or experts in our fields. Our teachers are remarkable individuals who come from renowned universities including Columbia, UC Berkeley, Stanford, and the London School of Economics to name a few. We specialize in all subject areas at the K-12 and College levels. Our higher course specialties include, but are not limited to, calculus, statistics, English, social studies, and science.

Do you offer summer sessions and subject support during the summer?
Yes. Summer is one of our busiest times, and we recommend booking in advance.  Registration for our summer programs starts in March of each calendar year.

I want my child/student to have individual attention from your teachers.
Can TRA provide that?

Yes. We focus on tailoring 1 to 1 sessions to the individual’s needs and learning style. Each student can expect a personalized approach that supports and strengthens his or her understanding of the subject at hand.

Does TRA offer bilingual services for various languages ex. Spanish?
Yes. We take pride in our diverse staff; some of our teachers are fluent in Spanish and/or French, one is fluent in both French and German.

What are your hours of operation?
We are open Monday - Friday,  12:00 – 8:00 pm

and on weekends by appointment only. 


Do you have any special offers for families new to TRA?
TRA offers a referral program for our families. For every new student who books four or more sessions with us because of your referral, we will provide a complimentary, one-hour session for one child in your household.

How often does my child need to attend sessions at TRA?
Based on your academic goals for your child, we create a plan tailored to meet the individual’s needs. Sessions are generally one hour in length and most students come to see us once weekly for single subject support. Students with multiple academic goals require additional sessions. However, the frequency of meetings depends on individual objectives. We recommend consistency in order to see results.

Can you help students with learning disabilities?
Yes. Our techniques for supporting students with learning disabilities have a remarkable success rate. We work with students with ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder), Auditory/Visual Processing Problems, and ESL/ELL (English as a Second Language). Regardless of your child's abilities, we will find the right plan for him or her.

What are your hours of operation during the summer?
Regular summer hours are Monday - Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

What kinds of tutoring programs does TRA offer?
TRA offers a variety of options for tutoring programs including 1 to 1 and 2 to 1 sessions, small group lessons of up to four students, test preparation classes, and drop-in homework help. If students are looking for support in a specific area, we are always open to creating and tailoring a class specific to their needs.

What do you mean by alternative teaching methods?
Our approach integrates all learning styles. We teach using movement, visual aids, music, art, and hands-on activities. We also utilize Waldorf and Montessori techniques, when applicable.

Can TRA work with my child's teacher?
Absolutely. We are happy to establish a connection with teachers via email or telephone in order to create a support system for our students. Our tutors will reach out and maintain regular communication with a child’s teacher per the family’s request.

Can you clarify your sliding scale?
In order to be more accessible for all members of the community, our rates are offered on a sliding scale* (please call us at 650-525-1583 for our prices). No matter which rate families are able to pay, we guarantee that everyone will receive the high-quality teaching we provide.

*Families with an annual household income of $200,000 or more are encouraged to pay the maximum amount of the sliding scale.

Where is The Right Approach to Education office located?


Our San Mateo office is located two doors down from the Laurelwood Shopping Center at 1150 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo, CA.

Our Belmont office is located behind the Safeway at 1201 Sixth Avenue. 


Unless it is at a school campus or dedicated facility, we do not tutor outside of our offices.

However, we offer video conferencing (ex. Zoom) or outdoor sessions upon request.


How long have you been in business?
The Right Approach opened its doors to the community in 2010 and has been growing exponentially ever since. We work with more than 50+ Bay Area schools and have supported over 850 families.