Building a Culture of Collaboration

The goal of peer tutoring is to make academic support more accessible, approachable, and engaging for everyone. Juniors and seniors can apply to be a peer tutor for any academic class they previously have taken. Peer tutoring is available to all students in the Upper School. Under the leadership of co-heads T. Curran ’26, A. English ’26, and A. Song ’26, the Peer Tutoring Program at Dana Hall is thriving. These student leaders have wasted no time energizing their peers, presenting at each Upper School class meeting to increase awareness about the program and encourage participation. 

The Co-Heads explained, “Peer tutoring is an excellent resource for students who want extra help or support in an academic subject. We want to make peer tutoring more accessible and welcoming for all students because every student could benefit from it.” This year, the program’s outreach has expanded significantly. Peer Tutors are now offering sessions during Conference Period, in addition to students’ free periods and after school, to make scheduling easier, especially for students balancing busy academic and extracurricular schedules. The co-heads are also focusing on building connections with younger students, encouraging them to see tutoring as not only a valuable academic support, but also as a chance to learn from peers who have “been there” before.

Peer tutoring is much more than reviewing content—it’s about relationships. Many students describe their tutoring sessions as both productive and confidence-boosting. “I felt like I could ask any type of question because there was less stress since I was asking someone my age,” said A. Lewis ’28 who is working with a junior tutor to review chemistry concepts. That sense of psychological safety—knowing you can make mistakes, seek clarity, and grow—is one of the most powerful parts of peer learning.

There’s also a mentorship element embedded in the program. Older students share their experiences, study tips, and strategies for managing academic expectations. They have often worked with the same teachers, tackled similar assignments, and learned from challenges along the way. By connecting across grade levels, Peer Tutors create a stronger sense of community and continuity.

Looking ahead, the Peer Tutoring team plans to extend its reach even further. Initiatives include offering tutoring during Evening Study Hall and piloting the program with the Middle School. With the School’s new schedule, these cross-divisional connections are becoming increasingly feasible—fitting naturally with Dana Hall’s commitment to fostering community across grades 5–12.