student tutoring services

Examining the impacts of Writing Lab and the Student Center for Success

difficulties, which is why tutors are mostly juniors and seniors.

Cupertino High School’s efforts to uphold high academic performance are visible in the tutoring services available to support students. As the second semester’s workload sets in, students may feel discouraged at their academic progress and turn to these resources.

The most prominent resource is the Student Center for Success, held in the library, with a team of student tutors volunteering to assist those who need academic help.

The applicant’s academic proficiency and confidence in certain subjects determine if they are eligible to become a tutor. Available hours are weekdays before school from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and after school until 5 p.m.

“We can see when kids come repeatedly,” CHS Interventions Specialist Nancy Boyle said. “We have some kids that come and meet the same tutor over and over again, because they get along and it’s a good match, and that’s a good indication that it’s working.”

The program intends to aid students strug- gling in classes of all

According to the Prospector’s social media poll of 129 students, 62 percent of students polled are aware of the SCS. However, the program has more tutors than attendees.

Attendee Angelina Sattar mentioned her positive experience with the program but noted certain ing Lab teachers at the beginning of the school year to ensure their efficiency when providing feedback. English teachers Jenna Ray and Kelleen Loo are in charge of the service for the 2022-2023 school year. areas where it could improve. Said Sattar, “I would advise [tutors] to probably get to know the students first, how they learn, their strategies and try to teach them according to these [factors].”

Teachers may request Writing Labs right before a major assignment to allow their students another opportunity for assistance. Ray and others in the department create further incentives through extra credit or submission extensions for attending the program.

Additionally, CHS offers Writing Lab, a student tutor program specifically for English assignments. English teachers select candidates they believe have strong writing skills, and tutors from sophomore to senior year sign up for certain shifts during tutorials or after school. Tutors generally spend five to 10 minutes proofreading specific parts of a student’s writing.

These tutors attend mandatory training sessions hosted by Writ-

“With going to Writing Lab, you can really get a lot of insightful feedback from the tutors, and most of them have taken those higher classes like [American] Lit Honors,” said Writing Lab tutor Chloe Chung. “In my opinion, going to Writing Lab, if you’re working on those higher assignments, really can benefit you.”

CHS teachers can also refer their students to other programs if they need additional help.

“There [are] a couple kids that I have worked with outside of class [who have] asked me for some help in whatever class, and I tell them to come up here so I can give them more help,” CHS Special Education Paraeducator Peter Ciotta said. “I usually point them in the direction of one of those tutors that is more knowledgeable because they’re taking it now. If students would come up instead of hesitate, there are a lot of people up here that are wanting to help”