What does Jeanine Benca Tutoring offer?

Jeanine primarily offers Small Group Language Arts classes for students in Grades 2-12. Classes emphasize a mix of reading comprehension, creative writing, academic writing, vocabulary, critical thinking, English grammar, and preparation for the SAT/ACT, and AP English exams.

How many students are in each Group Class?

Group Classes have a maximum of 6 students. Students are grouped based on grade and skill level.

What curriculum is followed in Jeanine’s Group Classes?

The curriculum varies by grade level. Generally speaking, however, Jeanine provides ELA classes that mirror advanced, enrichment-based standards. Students practice various writing styles, including creative fictional writing, literary analysis, research/informational, narrative, and argumentative essays. Drawing on her journalism background, Jeanine prepares students for the SAT and beyond by guiding them through thought-provoking current events articles. She teaches students to summarize and think critically about what they have read, while expanding their vocabulary and general knowledge. Students plan debates and argumentative essays around many contemporary topics. Additionally, students develop Honors and AP English-level skills by reading classic literature and analyzing characters, themes, and literary devices.

How is progress assessed?

Prospective students are initially given a grade-level reading and writing assessment, which is used to establish the student's overall strengths and weakness. Then, with input from the parents, Jeanine develops a list of goals and priorities for the student. Reading and writing assessments are administered periodically afterward to gauge progress.

What are the Group Class fees?

The Group Class fee for the current school year is $65 per group class.

Can Jeanine help my child with his/her English homework during Group Classes?

Because the curriculum must be generalized enough to benefit everyone in the class, large amounts of class time will not be spent helping individual students with their specific school essays or projects. That said, students are welcome to bring drafts of their school essays to class to receive peer review/feedback from Jeanine and the other students.

Who are Group Classes best suited for?

Most of Jeanine’s students can be described as academic achievers seeking to refine their Language Arts skills and prepare for college and beyond. Because Jeanine works mainly with groups, her classes are not particularly well-suited for students with severe learning disabilities or for those who are struggling to maintain passing grades in English. For students in need of intensive remediation or highly individualized attention, she feels that one-on-one tutoring is a better fit.

Does Jeanine offer one-on-one tutoring?

Due to the high volume of students, Jeanine’s 1:1 tutoring availability is limited. She has only a few time slots each week that she reserves for one-on-one sessions.  These timings are usually during "off-peak" hours (Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evenings from 8:20-9:20 p.m. and on Sunday mornings from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. )

What is the fee for one-on-one tutoring?

One-on-one sessions during Spring and Summer are $140/hour. Higher rates may apply during peak season (Fall/Winter).

Where are classes held?

Classes are held in person in Jeanine’s office space, located in the Civic Center Station building at the corner of Bernal Avenue and First Street in downtown Pleasanton. The exact address is 4725 First Street, Suite 253, Pleasanton, CA 94566.

Are online classes offered?

Jeanine is a strong believer in the value of face-to-face Language Arts classes, especially for younger students. Therefore, most of her classes are taught in person at her classroom site in downtown Pleasanton.  However, for older students and for those who live outside of the area, limited online classes may be made available.

What are Jeanine's operating hours?

All classes meet for one hour per week. Jeanine’s hours of operation are 3:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sundays. No classes on Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturdays.

What is the attendance and cancellation policy?

Classes are month-to-month. An invoice is sent toward the end of the month for all classes that will be held that month, and the fee is due on the last day of the month. There is no charge for classes that students miss due to illness, emergencies, conflicts, or vacations. If fees for the month have already been paid and a student needs to miss, they will be given a credit for the following month. That said, consistent attendance is necessary for progress in Language Arts. It is disruptive and counterproductive to the whole group when one student misses class repeatedly; hence, students who frequently miss class are asked to leave the program.

How long does the program last?

There is no fixed program length; however, class schedules are set at the end of August and remain in place until the end of the school year. Students are grouped according to skills, personalities, and goals. With few exceptions, the same group of kids remain together throughout the academic year. Though some students may choose to stay for only a few months, many are longtime attendees who return year after year. It is typical for a student to start this program in elementary school and eventually receive SAT or AP English prep in high school. Jeanine prides herself on her multi-year relationships with families.