Tutoring in Pasadena, CA
Kokoro Tutoring works with Pasadena students in their homes, online, and at our office at 139 S Verdugo Rd in Glendale, about twenty minutes west on the 134. Pasadena families split between a large public district and an unusual concentration of independent schools, and the academic demands differ sharply between them. We tutor to the course a student is actually in.
Kokoro tutors are career educators, not college students working part-time. Most have taught for a decade or more, and several for over twenty years. The team includes graduated subject majors, published textbook authors, and PhD candidates. Kokoro was founded by Adam Lampert, who has worked with students for more than 20 years.
Subjects we tutor
Mathematics — Pre-Algebra, Algebra I and II, Geometry, Precalculus, Calculus including AP AB/BC and IB, Statistics, and Differential Equations.
Science — Physics through AP and IB, Chemistry through AP and IB, Biology, and AP Computer Science.
Humanities — English literature and writing through AP, essay development, and reading comprehension.
Languages — Spanish, French, Italian, Latin, and others on request.
Tutors work from the student's own syllabus, textbook, and upcoming assessments, so sessions support what's happening in the classroom rather than running parallel to it.
Test preparation
We prepare Pasadena students for the SAT and ACT, the PSAT, and for private and parochial school admissions through the ISEE and HSPT. Graduate-level preparation is available for the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, and LSAT.
Test prep begins with a diagnostic so we know where the available points actually are, then targets those sections rather than reviewing everything evenly.
For families applying to Polytechnic, Westridge, Mayfield, or Sequoyah, we prepare students for the ISEE on the admissions timeline those schools actually use.
Pasadena schools we work with
Pasadena Unified School District — Pasadena High School, John Muir High School Early College Magnet, Blair High School, Marshall Fundamental Secondary School, and Eliot Arts Magnet.
Independent and parochial — Polytechnic School, Westridge School, Mayfield Senior School, Sequoyah School, The Waverly School, La Salle College Preparatory, and Maranatha High School, plus the schools Pasadena families also commute to: St. Francis High School, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, Flintridge Preparatory School, Loyola High School, Marlborough School, and Harvard-Westlake.
The workload gap between a PUSD magnet track and a Polytechnic or Westridge course sequence is real. We match tutors to the specific course and school, not just the subject and grade.
What parents say
He even helped my daughter with her college essay, and after being accepted to many UCs she decided on LMU. My son successfully completed 7th and 8th grade and won multiple awards with Adam's help, and still goes to Adam for summer math sessions to prep him for high school.
— Hilda B., St. Francis High School parent
Getting started
Call or text (747) 254-0052, or email hello@kokorotutoring.com. We'll ask what your student is working on, where they're struggling, and what your schedule looks like, then match them with the right tutor.
Common questions from Pasadena families
Do you travel to Pasadena?
Yes. Tutors come to students' homes throughout Pasadena. Our Glendale office is about twenty minutes away on the 134, with onsite parking. Any travel charge depends on distance — ask when you call.
Can you keep up with a Polytechnic or Westridge course load?
Yes. Our tutors work at the level those schools teach at, including accelerated math sequences and AP-level science taken a year early.
When should we start ISEE prep for independent school admissions?
It depends on the target school's deadline and your student's starting point. Call and we'll map it against the specific schools you're applying to.
How long are sessions?
Most sessions run 60 to 90 minutes, and generally students meet once or twice a week.