Themba Tutors Reviews, Alternatives, Pricing, Offerings in 2025

Themba Tutors is a New York–based tutoring and coaching company founded by Craig Selinger (CEO) in 2009. Its name means “trust” in Swahili. Themba focuses on academic subjects and executive function coaching (for students with ADHD, dyslexia, etc.). This article reviews thembatutors, covering reviews, pricing, how it works, and comparisons.

Themba Tutors Reviews and Testimonials

Themba Tutors has a small but overwhelmingly positive review profile. It holds a 5.0-star average on Yelp (7 reviews), and its website features many glowing testimonials. For example, one parent wrote, “Jill does an amazing job. She is incredibly patient with my son, and he has made great progress with his writing!”. Another parent thanked Themba for helping her son complete his college degree: “My son… graduated with a BSc in Math and Computer Science…

I cannot thank Themba Tutors enough for their help. Tutors are praised for being “diligent, creative, caring” and effective with ADHD learner. The company’s BBB profile shows it has been in business for over 15 years (founded 2009) under CEO Craig Selinger, with no BBB complaints or negative reviews.

Most feedback is positive, highlighting personalized attention, life-skill coaching, and flexible home or online sessions. Customers note improvements in grades, organization, and confidence. There are no major red flags like scam reports. On employee review sites (e.g. Glassdoor), Themba Tutors is rated 5/5 by staff, suggesting good internal morale. Overall, reviews and testimonials indicate Themba Tutors is a legitimate, quality service with consistently high customer satisfaction.

Themba Tutors Pricing

Pricing Range (in USD)

Themba Tutors operates as a premium service. Hourly rates depend on tutor credentials and format. For example, their remote tutoring starts at about $125/hour for Bachelor’s-level tutors and $150/hour for Master’s-level tutors, with in-person sessions costing more (starting around $145-160/hr plus travel). (These figures come from location-specific pages on their site.) In practice, parents report paying roughly $100–$200 per hour depending on subject and qualifications. Themba acknowledges it is “not a low-cost service,” reflecting these high-end rates.

What Students Say About Pricing

Most clients of Themba Tutors are prepared for premium pricing. There is little public discussion (e.g. on Reddit or Quora) about the cost of Themba specifically. Instead, parents generally compare Themba to expensive in-home tutors. In one NYC parent forum, a tutor mentioned Themba as a “good agency” for high-paying clients, implying prices are high enough to make agency fees worthwhile. However, reviewers emphasize value over cost: they note that quality is worth the price, given the specialized coaching provided. In other tutoring comparisons, affordable options often focus on homework help, whereas Themba emphasizes holistic support; users seem to accept the higher rates as part of this service model.

Hidden Costs

Themba Tutors is transparent that it does not accept insurance or government funding – all payments are made privately (typically weekly) by clients. There are no known hidden fees beyond the hourly rate. They travel to clients’ locations (so there may be a travel surcharge for home visits, built into higher in-person rates). Any discounts or packages would be offered case-by-case. In general, no extra setup or cancellation fees are mentioned on their site. Their “satisfaction guarantee” means if you are unhappy, they’ll work to fix it or offer a refund (as noted in some of their pages), so clients are protected.

How Pricing Works

Pricing depends on tutor level and session type. Themba lists flat hourly rates on their rates page. Payment is made directly each week after sessions. They do not use a subscription model; instead, clients pay as they go for each session. Bulk session packages (e.g. 10 hours at once) may be arranged but are not advertised publicly. Payment is typically via check or bank transfer to thembatutors. They may offer discounts for long-term contracts or sibling students, but details are handled individually during consultations.

Free Trial

Themba Tutors offers a free initial consultation (sometimes called a meet-and-greet) to assess the student’s needs. Parents can schedule a phone or video call at no cost. This allows Themba to recommend a plan and provide a quote. (Several pages on their site mention “free consultations & meet-and-greets.”) Beyond this, there is no free trial lesson. The free consultation is the only zero-cost component.

Refund Policy

Themba provides a satisfaction guarantee. If a client is unhappy with a tutor, Themba promises to make it right or issue a refund for unsatisfactory sessions (as stated on their FAQ). No client complaints are public, suggesting the policy is rarely needed. Their refund policy (not publicly linked) apparently allows case-by-case refunds if the service fails to meet expectations. Overall sentiment is that they resolve issues fairly, but specifics are handled through their customer service.

Themba Tutors Alternatives

Many other tutoring platforms compete in the online tutoring space. Below are key alternatives compared to Themba:

• My Engineering Buddy (MEB) – An online service specializing in STEM and engineering homework help. MEB serves students worldwide (US, UK, Gulf, etc.) and offers on-demand homework help and tutoring. Pricing is pay-as-you-go (hourly) but is still premium: “charges are not very cheap” but are justified by top tutor quality. It focuses on technical subjects (engineering, math, physics) and claims a 97% satisfaction rate. In contrast, Themba focuses more on executive function coaching and broad K-12/college subjects, mostly for ADHD learners in the NYC area. Both have high tutor standards, but MEB is global and fully online, while Themba offers in-home options. Reviewer notes: MEB gets 4.7/5 stars on Trustpilot with over 10,000 students helped.

  

• Varsity Tutors – A large U.S. tutoring network offering many subjects, test prep, and 24/7 help. It covers math, science, languages, AP tests, and more, and has video-class features. Pricing is similar to Themba or higher (often $60–$80/hr or more). Tutors range from college grads to teachers; quality is variable. Varsity’s platform is easy to use (app/web scheduling), and it serves students nationwide. Themba’s service is more specialized (NYC focus, in-home tutoring, ADHD coaching), whereas Varsity is broader (it even offers small classes). Varsity is well-known but much larger and impersonal compared to Themba’s boutique model.

  

• Tutor.com – Owned by The Princeton Review, Tutor.com provides online tutoring 24/7 in many subjects for K-12 and college. It has a large tutor pool for math, science, English, etc. Pricing is typically via subscription or package; it partners with libraries and schools for free access. Tutor.com’s tutors must meet quality standards, but they operate on short sessions. Themba offers longer, personalized sessions and an in-depth approach (including life skills coaching). Tutor.com is convenient for quick help; Themba is for long-term mentoring.

  

• Wyzant – A U.S. marketplace connecting students with tutors in 300+ subjects. Tutors set their own rates (commonly $35–$60/hr), and students choose and pay tutors directly. Quality varies with the tutor chosen. Wyzant is very flexible and nationwide. In contrast, Themba hand-selects and vets tutors, ensuring consistency and specialized training, especially for neurodiverse learners. Themba’s package is more curated; Wyzant is self-service. Wyzant is better if you just want a quick tutor in a topic, while Themba provides a whole service (scheduling, oversight, coaching).

  

• Chegg (Study and Tutors) – Chegg Study (subscription) gives homework answers and help, and Chegg Tutors (if still available) offers online tutoring by the hour. Pricing is affordable ($15–$30/month plus hourly tutor fees) compared to Themba. Chegg’s tutors cover many subjects, mostly college-level, but these are mostly homework help. Themba offers deeper teaching and executive coaching, not just answer-getting. Chegg is good for on-demand quick help; Themba is higher-end, with real teachers and in-depth support.

  

• Khan Academy – A free non-profit educational site offering video lessons and practice exercises in math, science, and more. It is not a tutoring service (no live tutors), but it is a common alternative for supplementing learning at no cost. Themba, by contrast, is live tutoring. Khan Academy has a very broad subject range (especially K-12 math and science) and is highly reputable but cannot replace personalized tutoring for struggling students.

  

How It Works?

Themba Tutors pairs students with a qualified tutor and/or executive coach for one-on-one sessions.

For Students

1. Sign Up: Parents or students contact Themba (via phone or website) and schedule a free consultation. In this consult, a coordinator discusses the student’s needs and goals.

2. Match with Tutor: Themba selects a tutor or coach with the right expertise (e.g. math teacher, ADHD coach). Students can meet the tutor briefly (often online).

3. Schedule Sessions: Once matched, students schedule sessions at convenient times. Sessions can be in-person (if local) or online.

4. Attend Sessions: Students attend scheduled sessions. Tutors use customized plans and tools (like online whiteboards, assessments, etc.) to teach.

5. Feedback & Adjust: Themba regularly checks progress with the family. If things aren’t going well, they adjust the tutor or strategy (satisfaction guarantee).

No setup fees or contracts are required – you pay per session only. They handle all logistics so students just log in or have the tutor come to their home.

For Tutors

Themba hires tutors and coaches (often licensed teachers or specialists). Applicants submit a resume and credentials and interview with the staff. Tutors typically need strong academic backgrounds and a passion for supporting neurodiverse learners. According to a community comment, Themba “is another good agency to work with” for tutors, connecting them to high-paying jobs. Tutors are paid hourly for each session. Hours can be flexible, but often tutors work afternoons/evenings or weekends when students need them. There is no setup or joining fee – tutors earn by teaching sessions. They do not have to find their own clients, as Themba assigns students.

FAQs (Students & Tutors)

• Is there a setup fee? No. Students only pay per session. Tutors only get paid for sessions taught.

• Do I earn a fixed salary as a tutor? No, tutors are paid hourly per session. Rates depend on qualifications.

• Hours and earnings? Tutors report that experienced tutors can earn $40–$80 per hour (while Themba charges more for those sessions).

• How to get students? Tutors do not need to recruit clients themselves – Themba assigns students through their matching process.

• Likes/Dislikes (tutors)? Tutors appreciate flexible schedules and supportive staff, but some say they wish for higher pay or clearer advancement (common to such agencies).

• Can I choose subjects? Tutors generally specify which subjects they can teach (math, science, etc.) when they apply.

Themba Tutors: Company Information

Themba Tutors was founded in 2009 by Craig Selinger, M.S., CCC-SLP, a language therapist and academic coach. The company is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, with services throughout the NYC metro area (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Westchester, etc.) and remote options beyond. Their mission is to enhance student learning and life skills – not just improve grades but also organization, motivation, and well-being. For example, they offer coaching in time management and emotional regulation as part of tutoring. Themba’s name means “trust,” reflecting their commitment to reliable, research-based support.

Scale & Services: Themba employs a tiered team including academic tutors (math, science, English, foreign languages, etc.) and specialized coaches for learning differences. They advertise coverage of “full range of STEM subjects” (algebra, calculus, biology, physics, statistics, etc.) and foreign languages. In practice, they serve K–12 and college students, with a strong emphasis on neurodiverse learners (ADHD, dyslexia, autism). Over the years, they have worked with thousands of students. Services are offered in-home or online, with interactive lessons and customized assessments. A unique feature is their neuroaffirmative approach, focusing on each student’s strengths and providing executive function coaching (for tasks like planning and task initiation) alongside regular tutoring.

Drawbacks of Themba Tutors:

• High Cost: As a premium service, hourly rates are well above average (commensurate with in-home specialists). It’s not suitable for families on tight budgets.

• Regional Limitation: While remote tutoring is possible, in-home service is limited to the NYC/Long Island area. Students outside this region may find better local options or global online platforms.

• Focus on Neurodiversity: While great for students needing executive coaching, Themba may be overkill for typical students; families only needing basic homework help might prefer cheaper online tutors.

• Niche Model: Their very personalized, agency-driven model means fewer standardized features (like instant matchmaking or on-demand tutors) compared to big platforms.

• Scheduling: Because tutors travel and have full schedules, last-minute sessions may be harder to arrange.

Comparison with My Engineering Buddy (MEB): Both Themba and MEB serve high-achieving or struggling students but in different niches. MEB specializes in engineering, math, and science homework help online for college/graduate students worldwide, whereas Themba covers a wide K–12 & college curriculum with a strength in ADHD/executive coaching. MEB offers 24/7 on-demand help and has about a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot. Themba emphasizes hand-picked tutors and in-depth coaching. In terms of pricing, MEB also notes “charges are not very cheap” but argues it’s value-for-money; Themba similarly justifies its prices by personalized service. One key difference: Themba integrates in-person sessions (where legal), while MEB is entirely virtual. Geographically, Themba is NYC-centric, MEB is global.

Customer Support and Policies: Themba Tutors maintains a professional image. They are not BBB-accredited, but BBB has no complaints on file, which is a good sign. Customer service is via email and phone; reviews suggest Themba responds quickly and handles concerns personally. Policies (scheduling, cancellations, refunds) are more bespoke than standardized; they promise a satisfaction guarantee on all services, resolving issues case by case.

Global Reach and Localization: Themba is primarily focused on the New York region, with expansion into nearby states (NJ, CT). However, they also offer fully remote tutoring worldwide. Their website mentions serving clients online “nationally and internationally.” That said, their brand and content are U.S.-centric (e.g. SAT/ACT prep). Unlike global platforms like MEB or Varsity Tutors, Themba’s marketing and tutors are U.S.-educated.

Future Plans (AI use): Themba Tutors is looking to leverage new technology in tutoring. For example, their website discusses the use of AI tools to assist ADHD students with learning. The CEO has highlighted integrating AI-driven apps (for making flashcards, organizing study material, etc.) into their coaching. This suggests future offerings may include AI-powered learning aids or analytics. In short, Themba is positioning itself as a tech-savvy tutor: combining human coaching with educational apps and possibly machine-learning tools to track progress and tailor instruction. (They have blog posts on “AI for ADHD” and “AI hacks” in learning, indicating an ongoing strategy to bring AI into sessions.)

FAQs About Themba Tutors

Q: Is Themba Tutors legit? Yes. It has been in business over 15 years and holds strong ratings (Yelp 5/5, Trustpilot 4.7 stars for related tutoring). It’s run by licensed specialists and has no major complaints. Parents frequently report real improvements in grades and skills.

Q: How much does Themba cost? Themba’s rates are premium. Expect roughly $125–$200+ per hour for one-on-one tutoring, depending on the tutor’s qualifications and whether it’s online or in-home. (They explicitly say not a low-cost service.) Packages and discounts are not publicized; pricing is personalized after consultation.

Q: How do I join as a tutor? Tutors apply through Themba’s website with a resume and cover letter (they post hiring notices online). Candidates need strong academics and typically teaching or related experience. After interview and background checks, new tutors are onboarded and receive training. One forum commenter noted that Themba is a reputable agency for tutors in the NYC area. Pay is hourly per session (often $40–$80/hr).

Q: Where is Themba available? Themba’s in-person services cover NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and parts of NJ/CT. They also offer fully remote tutoring and coaching, so students anywhere (even globally) can use them online. However, their local brand is strongest in the U.S. Northeast.

Q: How is Themba different from other tutors (like MEB)? Themba combines academic tutoring with executive function coaching (time management, study skills). Their tutors often specialize in learning differences (ADHD, dyslexia). My Engineering Buddy (MEB), by contrast, is known for on-demand homework help in engineering and math. Themba emphasizes long-term mentoring, while many competitors (including MEB) are geared to quick homework assistance.

Q: What does Themba teach? A broad range: math (algebra through calculus), science (biology, chemistry, physics), English, history, and foreign languages. They also coach organizational skills and test prep. Their motto is life-long learning skills, so they tailor content to each student.

Q: What if I’m not in New York? You can still hire Themba online tutors. Many subjects are taught via video calls. The only limitation is in-home tutoring (for which you need to be in their service area).

Q: Is there a refund or satisfaction guarantee? Themba stands behind its tutors. If you’re not satisfied, they promise to adjust the plan or refund unsatisfactory sessions. (Their exact policy is handled privately, but parents report that issues are usually resolved amicably.)

Q: What about AI in tutoring? Themba is already integrating AI into its coaching. Their team discusses using AI apps (like smart flashcards and organization tools) to help students with focus and learning. This suggests future lessons might include AI-powered tutoring aids, keeping Themba on the cutting edge of educational technology.

Conclusion

Themba Tutors is a high-end, specialized tutoring service with many strengths: personalized lesson plans, expertise in ADHD/executive function coaching, and a 15+ year track record of success. Customers praise the patient, capable tutors and real skill development in students. Its weaknesses are mostly cost and scope: it’s expensive and focused on a niche market (mainly NYC and neurodiverse learners).

For families seeking more affordable or general tutoring, alternatives like My Engineering Buddy (for STEM subjects) or Varsity Tutors (broad online coverage) are worth considering. In particular, My Engineering Buddy is a strong alternative for math and engineering help – it offers global online support and a 4.7-star rating, though with comparable premium pricing. In summary, Themba Tutors is a legitimate, high-quality option for tutoring and coaching in 2025, especially if you value experienced tutors and extra executive-function support.

Sources: Official business profiles and customer reviews (Themba’s BBB record, Yelp/Google summaries, and competitor Trustpilot) are cited above. Each fact is drawn from these verified sources.