Avatar Learning Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to what parents ask most about our online classes, placement, scheduling and tutors. Not here? Call 515 428 2827 or write to info@avatarmath.com.
Avatar Learning Center
General FAQs
Is online learning as effective as in-person tutoring?
Yes, because classes are live online, interactive and engaging, with a teacher who knows each child, not recorded videos. Every student has a student portal to join the class, open the materials, do the homework and see results at once, and parents follow everything in their own parent portal.
Are group classes too distracting for my child?
No. Our classes have 5 to 6 students, never more than 8. That is small enough for the teacher to see every child's work and large enough for children to learn from each other.
How qualified are your tutors?
Avatar was founded in 2020 by four women scientists who hold PhDs, and most of our instructors hold a PhD or a master's degree. We hire tutors with real-world experience as scientists or engineers and train them in our curriculum.
How does Avatar's curriculum relate to what my child learns at school?
Avatar teaches its own curriculum, generally aligned with what schools cover in each grade. What your child learns here supports schoolwork, and it goes further, filling the gaps that a classroom moving at one pace leaves behind.
Math
Math FAQs
Which grades are your math classes for?
Our math classes run from Kindergarten to Pre-Calculus. Pre-Algebra is typical in grade 6 or 7, Algebra 1 in grade 7 or 8, Geometry in grade 8 or 9 and Algebra 2 in grade 9 or 10, but the pathway is a guide, not a rule.
Every grade runs at three levels: one for children catching up on gaps, one for children who want more practice and better grades, and one for advanced children who want a challenge. Students are always in a class with others at their level.
How do you assess a student's needs and create a personalized curriculum?
With a free placement assessment before the first class. It shows each student's strengths and weaknesses, and we place the child at one of the three levels in their grade.
Are your classes online or in person?
All classes are live online, interactive and engaging. Grades K to 3 meet twice a week for an hour, older students once a week for two hours. Students do their homework in the student portal and parents follow progress in the parent portal.
What is the class schedule like, and can it be adjusted to fit my child's availability?
We offer several class times for each grade and level, after school, in the evenings and on weekends, in Eastern Time. During the assessment we discuss your availability and find a class that fits. Because classes are small, we often add new class times during the year.
How can I track my child's progress throughout the program?
In the parent portal: attendance for every class, each week's homework and quiz scores, how long the work took and the trend over the year. Results appear the moment a student checks an answer.
Coding
Coding FAQs
What programming languages will my child learn?
Your child learns Python or Java, two of the world's most popular programming languages. Python is the usual first language; Java suits older students heading toward computer science.
What makes Avatar's coding courses different from others?
Students build real-world projects and take on advanced challenges, and instructors review their code and give feedback. Classes are live online, with 5 to 6 students and never more than 8, so children learn alongside a few other young coders.
What grades are the coding courses for?
Python is for grade 5 and up and Java for grade 7 and up. Each course runs 8 weeks, with one live 1.5-hour class a week.
Whether a child is just starting or wants to refine their skills, the free assessment shows where to begin.
How do I enroll my child in an Avatar coding course?
Go to our enrollment page, choose the course that fits your child and follow the sign-up steps. If you are not sure whether Python or Java is the right fit, book a free assessment. Our tutors will check your child's skills and help you choose.
Summer School
Summer School FAQs
My child wants a break during the summer. How can these classes keep them interested?
Classes are live online, interactive and engaging. Students solve problems, ask the teacher questions and, in the Python course, build their own programs. Classes meet only twice a week, so there is plenty of time left for a summer break.
We have family vacations planned. Can we work around that schedule?
Classes are live online, so your child can join from any place with an internet connection. Class times are Eastern Time. Call 515 428 2827 or email info@avatarmath.com with your vacation dates before you enroll, and we will go over the options with you.
What if my child is new to coding? Is there a beginner course?
Yes. Python for Beginners is for grades 5 and up. It starts with the basics: variables, loops and functions. Your child does not need earlier coding experience.
In summer school, how much time do classes take each week?
Summer math classes meet twice a week: 1 hour each for grades K-2, 1.5 hours for grades 3-4 and 2 hours for grades 5-12. Python classes meet twice a week for 1.5 hours each. That is 2 to 4 hours of class time a week.
What materials and support will my child get?
Every student has a student portal with the class link, slides and materials, and homework that is checked the moment it is submitted. Students can try a problem again and raise a hand to ask the teacher for help.
How will I know if my child is making progress?
In the parent portal, which shows attendance, each week's homework and quiz scores and the time spent as they happen.
Can these classes help my child catch up if they fell behind during the school year?
Yes. Summer classes work for a child who needs to catch up, wants to get ahead, or wants to stay sharp. A free placement assessment decides the level, so your child starts in the right place.
Is it too late to enroll? When do classes start?
Start dates depend on the course. See the enrollment page for current dates, or call 515 428 2827 or email info@avatarmath.com.
Math Crash Courses
Math Crash Courses FAQs
What are the math crash courses?
Four short courses that rebuild the skills the next course depends on: Math 6 Essentials (ready for Pre-Algebra), Pre-Algebra Essentials (ready for Algebra 1), Algebra 1 Essentials (ready for Algebra 2) and Algebra 2 Essentials (ready for Pre-Calculus). Each is 12 live one-on-one online classes of 1.5 hours, once or twice a week, one skill per class, ending with a readiness check.
What makes Avatar different from other math courses?
One-on-one live classes, instructors with advanced degrees, one skill per class with a check before the class ends, and results you can see in the parent portal.
How can Avatar courses benefit my child in the long term?
Besides better grades, students learn to apply math to exam questions and real-world problems, which gives them a stronger base for the next course.
How do parents measure their child's progress?
In the parent portal, where each week's homework and quiz scores appear as soon as the work is checked.
How do you tailor courses to my child's needs?
Teachers adjust the pace from the weekly results and go over the problems students flagged in the homework before moving on. Placement starts with a free assessment, which puts your child at one of three levels.
How do I enroll my child?
Click Enroll Now on our website, choose the course that fits and follow the prompts. If you are not sure which course your child needs, book a free assessment first.
Math Competitions
Math Competitions FAQs
Which grades can take part in these math competitions?
Math Kangaroo prep is for grades 1 to 8 and MOEMS prep for grades 4 to 8. Students should have a good math foundation and enjoy competing and solving logical reasoning problems.
When are the competitions held?
Math Kangaroo is an annual event in March. MOEMS holds five monthly contests from November to March, and schools can run each one on any day in its month.
How are these competitions beneficial for my child?
They build logical reasoning, problem-solving and teamwork as well as math skills. Math Kangaroo also offers scholarships, and either contest adds to a college application.
How does Avatar help my child prepare?
Math Competition Prep has two tracks, both live online, interactive and engaging, once a week: Math Kangaroo prep runs 12 weeks before the March contest, and MOEMS prep runs 20 weeks.
How do I register my child?
You can register directly on our website, or book a free assessment first to learn about our competition prep and check your child's current math skills.
How will I know my child's progress?
In the parent portal, which shows each week's results as soon as the work is checked.
Tutoring
Tutoring FAQs
How does Avatar match tutors and students?
We start with a free assessment, where we learn about your child's strengths, gaps and goals and the type of instructor they typically prefer. Then we pair your child with a tutor who specializes in the subject they need and best fits their learning style.
Which grades does tutoring cover?
Tutoring covers every grade from elementary school through high school, plus SAT and ACT prep for college-bound students.
How are tutors selected?
Our tutors go through a background check and a skills assessment. We hire tutors with real-world experience as scientists or engineers, and most hold a PhD or a master's degree.
Do you offer test preparation?
Yes. We provide test prep for the SAT and ACT, and we also prepare students for math competitions such as Math Kangaroo and Math Olympiad.
How do I get started?
Book a free assessment to find the tutoring program that suits your child's goals. From there, we will guide you through the next steps.
Still Have a Question?
Book a free assessment and ask us anything. We evaluate where your child stands and recommend the right class, with no obligation.