Elevate K-12 Reviews, Alternatives, Pricing, Offerings in 2025

 

Elevate K-12 is an online education provider that partners with hundreds of U.S. school districts. It offers live, classroom-streamed instruction for K–12 students across core subjects, electives, special education, and summer school. Founded in 2015 by Shaily Baranwal, Elevate K-12 is based in Chicago and claims to have taught over 350,000 students in public schools. The company’s mission is to deliver “high-quality, live teaching” to every student in the U.S.. This article reviews Elevate K-12’s services, customer feedback, pricing, alternatives, and future plans, with up-to-date information from 2025 sources.

Elevate K-12 Reviews and Testimonials

Elevate K-12 appears to be a legitimate company. It holds a solid reputation among educators. On Indeed, employees rate it about 3.9 out of 5 (based on ~305 reviews). Many teachers praise its flexibility and support. For example, one instructor notes the freedom to “select when I am available” and work with supportive academic coordinators. The company’s site also highlights positive district testimonials via video.

However, some reviews point out downsides. A few teachers report low pay and high unpaid workload: “High stress, low pay, … many hours of work ‘not teaching’ paid at 20% of your hourly wage”. Others mention challenges like misaligned curriculum or hard-to-manage schedules. We found no public Trustpilot or Google Reviews for Elevate K-12, and the company does not publish customer ratings online. Overall, most available feedback is from staff, which is generally positive about work-life balance and support, though some express concerns about compensation and preparation time. Taken together, Elevate K-12 seems to have genuine operations and a largely positive reputation with educators.

Pricing

Pricing Range

Elevate K-12 does not list prices publicly. It operates on custom contracts with school districts. According to Fullmind Learning, “Elevate K-12 does not provide pricing information about any services on the company website.” Schools must contact Elevate for a custom quote. Thus, there is no published per-hour or per-class rate for students or schools.

What Students Say About Pricing

Because Elevate K-12 is sold to schools (not individual families), we found no direct student or parent feedback on pricing. Students do not pay out of pocket; instead, their schools cover the costs. In practice, parents and students usually do not see or negotiate these fees themselves.

Hidden Costs

Elevate K-12 requires some classroom technology. For example, schools must provide at least a large screen display, reliable Wi-Fi, and a computer or tablet for each student. Elevate supplies video equipment (cameras, mics, etc.) and technical support. Aside from these standard items, we found no reports of unexpected fees. There do not appear to be shipping or extra software costs hidden from districts; the main outlays are for hardware and the contract itself.

How Pricing Works

Since Elevate K-12 deals only with schools, pricing is handled at the district or school level. Districts specify the program needs (e.g. number of courses, subjects, term length) and Elevate K-12 offers a proposal. This typically results in a fixed annual contract. There is no per-student sign-up or usage fee that families see. In other words, the cost is negotiated in bulk for an entire class or program, rather than charged per lesson to individuals.

Free Trial

We found no indication that Elevate K-12 offers a free trial period. Because they contract with schools, any trial would have to be arranged by the district. None of the company materials or user reports mention a free trial option for Elevate’s live classes. The company instead focuses on pilot programs and consultations for schools to start services.

Refund Policy

Elevate K-12’s terms are strict on refunds. The official Terms and Conditions state that if a customer (i.e. the school district) terminates early, they are not entitled to any refund or fee reduction for the service period already paid. In other words, once a contract is signed, fees are due even if classes are not fully used.

A provision notes that requesting a pro-rata refund would be the only remedy in a dispute, but generally the policy is “no refunds for unused classes.” This aligns with an agreement clause found in a district contract: “It is also the Company’s policy to not provide refunds for unused classes.” In practice, schools must commit to the full contract fee regardless of enrollment numbers.

Alternatives to Elevate K-12

For families and educators looking at similar services, here are some major alternatives:

• Varsity Tutors: A large online tutoring marketplace offering one-on-one help across many subjects and grades. Strengths include a huge tutor pool and on-demand scheduling. Weaknesses are that it can be expensive (often $50–$100/hour) and quality varies by tutor. Unlike Elevate’s whole-class model, Varsity Tutors focuses on individual tutoring sessions.
• Khan Academy: A free, well-known platform with video lessons and practice exercises in math, science, humanities, and test prep. Strengths include no cost, broad content, and interactive tools. Weaknesses are that there are no live teachers or scheduled classes – it’s purely self-paced learning. Khan offers structured curriculum but lacks real-time instruction, whereas Elevate provides live teachers.
• Tutor.com: (by The Princeton Review) offers on-demand 1:1 tutoring and homework help online. It covers core K–12 subjects as well as college-level. Its strength is professional tutors and 24/7 availability. Its weaknesses include session time limits and cost that may add up. Tutor.com is more flexible for individuals, while Elevate serves groups in schools.
• Paper: A platform used by many schools to provide unlimited, 24/7 tutoring support for all enrolled students. Strengths include immediate text-based help in many subjects, available around the clock, and language support for ESL students. Weaknesses are that help is mostly via chat (or video on demand) rather than full live classes, and it may feel less personal. Paper is used by districts as a supplement, whereas Elevate K-12 replaces the need for a live teacher in some classes.
• My Engineering Buddy (MEB): An online tutoring service focused on advanced engineering and STEM subjects for higher-level students. It provides 1:1 live help and homework assistance, primarily in engineering, physics, math, and related fields. Strengths include specialized tutors, reported 5-star reviews, and personalized help. Weaknesses are that it targets college or advanced high school courses (not basic K–12), and it is not accredited as a curriculum provider. Compared to Elevate, MEB offers on-demand help for individual students, whereas Elevate provides structured classes for schools.

How It Works

For Students

Students engage with Elevate K-12 through their schools. There is no public student portal or app signup; instead, the school schedules classes with Elevate’s teachers. In a typical setup, students remain in their regular classrooms while Elevate’s teacher streams in live via video. Each student needs a device (tablet or laptop) and a large shared display or TV in the room. A classroom coach or aide is present to help supervise.

Students attend these Elevate classes as part of their normal schedule. After class, students may use Elevate’s platform (integrated with the district’s login) to complete assignments or watch recordings. Essentially, Elevate K-12 behaves like a virtual classroom, with students logging in at set times rather than seeking out a tutor on-demand.

For Tutors

Tutors on Elevate K-12 are certified K–12 teachers. To apply, tutors submit their teaching certificate and pass a background check. Once approved, teachers can browse available class assignments and select ones that fit their expertise and schedule. Elevate provides all curriculum and lesson content, so tutors do not have to build their own lessons. Classes are live and synchronous; tutors use the Elevate platform to broadcast to multiple classrooms at once. Tutors are paid per teaching hour, with rates typically ranging from around $29 to $52 per hour depending on subject and grade.

For example, a high school math class pays about $42–$48/hr. In addition to teaching time, tutors get paid a portion of prep time, but some reports indicate not all preparation is compensated. Support is available: Elevate provides live tech help and instructional coaching 24/7. Teachers praise the flexibility (“choose when to work”) and the professional development opportunities. However, some warn of extra unpaid tasks: one review notes “many hours of work ‘not teaching’ paid at 20% of your hourly wage”. New tutors are advised to learn Elevate’s proprietary platform and be ready to adapt to provided curriculum.

Elevate K-12 Company Information

History, Mission, and Leadership

Elevate K-12 was founded in 2015 in Chicago and has grown into a series C–funded education technology company. The company was established by former educator Shaily Baranwal. Today its CEO is Piyush Lumba (a former Amazon/Microsoft executive). Elevate’s stated mission is to “enable high-quality, live teaching for every learner in the United States”. The aim is to solve teacher shortages by delivering certified teachers online to any classroom that needs one. As of 2025, Elevate claims to serve students in over 600 U.S. school districts and more than 2,000 schools. The company has raised over $54.5 million in funding to date and employs several hundred people (about 600 teachers and staff as of late 2021).

Global Scale and Reach

Currently, Elevate K-12 operates only in the United States. Its services are available in 46 of 50 states (not yet in Nebraska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Utah). All teachers must be U.S.-certified and based in the U.S. (Elevate requires U.S. work authorization for its tutors). Although the company’s leadership expresses a vision of expanding access (including remote learning worldwide), there is no indication of current global or multilingual offerings. In practice, the focus remains on U.S. public schools and curriculum standards.

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

• Certified Live Teachers: Elevate guarantees state-certified K–12 teachers, often with subject expertise and extra training. Districts benefit from fully credentialed instructors rather than near-peer tutors.
• Flexible Curriculum Integration: Schools can use their own standards-aligned curriculum or adopt Elevate’s. Elevate’s built-in curriculum is NCAA-approved and WASC-accredited, ensuring quality content.
• Broad Course Catalog: Over 100 subjects are offered, covering core academics, electives, ELL, and special education. This lets schools fill many gaps (including hard-to-find courses) through one provider.
• Dedicated Support: Elevate provides classroom coaches and 24/7 tech support. Local aides assist during lessons, and Elevate staff are available for troubleshooting at any time.
• Professional Development for Teachers: Tutors enjoy schedule flexibility and growth. Teachers report being able to “select when I am available” and value quick help from support teams. Elevate also offers opportunities to earn extra certifications.

These USPs are largely supported by user feedback. For example, teachers frequently mention schedule flexibility and good technical support. The fact that Elevate’s content is accredited lends credibility, although users do note when it doesn’t match a local curriculum exactly.

Drawbacks and Criticisms

• Opaque Pricing: Elevate does not publish rates. Districts learn pricing only through quotes, making budgeting harder. This lack of transparency is commonly cited as a downside.
• Content Alignment: Teachers report that Elevate often uses its own curriculum, which may not fully align with a district’s standards. This can require extra planning on the school’s part.
• Coverage Gaps: Elevate is not available in all states. (Currently it lacks service in Nebraska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Utah). Schools in those states must look elsewhere or wait for expansion.
• Onsite Requirements: Each Elevate K-12 class requires an in-person classroom coach or aide to supervise students. Schools must also adopt Elevate’s streaming platform, which can require training for staff and students.
• Teacher Workload: While tutors have flexibility, some find that non-teaching tasks (like grading or tech issues) cut into compensation. New instructors should be prepared for occasional prep work outside paid hours.

Comparison with My Engineering Buddy

My Engineering Buddy (MEB) and Elevate K-12 target different needs. Elevate K-12 delivers live classes for K–12 grades through school partnerships. In contrast, My Engineering Buddy focuses on one-on-one tutoring and homework help for advanced engineering, math, and science courses at the college or advanced high-school level. Elevate has state-certified teachers and operates on a school schedule, while MEB hires subject-matter experts (often graduate-level) for private sessions.

Elevate’s strength is in broad curriculum delivery (with accreditation) to large groups, whereas MEB’s strength is personalized help in niche STEM subjects. Students needing help in engineering assignments might prefer MEB’s on-demand model, while schools looking to staff regular classes would use Elevate K-12. Pricing also differs: Elevate contracts by school year, whereas MEB charges per session (often on a per-hour basis announced to the student). In summary, Elevate K-12 and My Engineering Buddy are both legitimate, but they serve different audiences – general K–12 schooling vs. specialized engineering tutoring.

Customer Support and Policies

Elevate K-12 provides robust customer support to its district clients. The company offers 24/7 live technical support and has dedicated operations managers for each partner. Classroom coaches are trained by Elevate, and teachers have access to an online help portal and live chat. As noted, Elevate’s policy is not to issue refunds if a customer cancels a contract early. Districts are expected to fulfill payment for the full service term once signed. Any legal or privacy matters (FERPA compliance, student data security) are handled per contract; Elevate states it treats student data as a school official under FERPA. Overall, schools report that Elevate is responsive to needs, but they must abide by the agreed terms with no-payback guarantee.

Global Reach and Localization

While Elevate’s mission is broad, its actual operations are U.S.-centric. Services currently cover all major U.S. states (with a few exceptions) but do not extend internationally. The platform is built for U.S. K–12 curriculum (Common Core, etc.) and is delivered in English. There is no multilingual interface or localized content for other countries. The curriculum is NCAA- and WASC-approved, reflecting U.S. accreditation standards. In short, although company leaders talk about the global potential of education technology, Elevate K-12 is focused on serving American schools, not a global market.

Future Plans

Elevate K-12 is investing in new technology. The company’s Director of Engineering has publicly discussed integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its platform. Elevate is using AI tools (like Microsoft Copilot and custom agents) to automate administrative tasks for teachers and to personalize learning experiences. For example, AI-driven support chatbots and automated grading are being developed to make teaching more efficient.

The goal is to use AI to tailor instruction: analyzing student performance data to adapt lessons and provide instant tutoring feedback. In 2025, Elevate emphasizes that AI will play a “transformative” role, enabling more personalized learning paths and freeing teachers’ time for interaction. These initiatives are in line with wider trends to leverage AI in education; Elevate’s leadership is optimistic about AI-driven tutoring and wants to stay at the cutting edge of virtual teaching technology.

FAQs About Elevate K-12

Q: What is Elevate K-12 and who is it for?

Answer: Elevate K-12 is an online education service that provides live, interactive teaching to K–12 students via their schools. It is used by school districts to cover subjects when in-person teachers are unavailable. It is not a platform for individual students to sign up on their own; access is arranged by the student’s school or district.

Q: Is Elevate K-12 a legitimate and trustworthy service?

Answer: Yes. Elevate K-12 is a well-established company working with hundreds of U.S. schools. It has been in operation since 2015 and carries accreditation badges (NCAA, WASC). Employees rate it positively (3.9/5 on Indeed). We found no evidence of scams. The company has real customers (school districts) and public testimonials from partners. It is widely regarded as a legitimate provider of virtual teaching.

Q: How much does Elevate K-12 cost, and is there a free trial?

Answer: The cost of Elevate K-12 is negotiated individually with each school or district, so there is no published price list. Costs vary based on the number of classes, students, and services needed. There is no free trial for private users – any pilot would be arranged between Elevate and a district. Students and parents typically do not deal with pricing directly, as fees are paid by the school. In our research, schools must request quotes from Elevate to learn the rates.

Q: Does Elevate K-12 offer refunds if I cancel?

Answer: According to Elevate’s terms, there are no refunds or fee reductions if a school cancels the contract early. The district is obligated to pay the full agreed amount. Any disputes over service would likely only be resolved by negotiating a pro-rated adjustment, but the official policy is “no refunds” for unused service.

Q: How does Elevate K-12 differ from My Engineering Buddy?

Answer: These two services serve different students. Elevate K-12 focuses on K–12 classroom instruction through schools. My Engineering Buddy (MEB) offers one-on-one tutoring and homework help, primarily in engineering and advanced STEM topics for older students. Elevate’s teachers are certified K–12 instructors who teach full classes; MEB’s tutors are subject experts or graduate students who teach individuals. Elevate requires scheduling classes in advance; MEB works on-demand via chat or video. In summary, Elevate is tailored to general K–12 schooling needs, while MEB is specialized for advanced engineering coursework.

Q: What are the main alternatives to Elevate K-12?

Answer: Some popular alternatives include:

• Varsity Tutors – A broad tutoring platform for K–12 and college subjects (1:1 format). Good for flexible scheduling; can be expensive.
• Khan Academy – Free on-demand instructional videos and exercises. Great for self-paced learning; no live teachers.
• Tutor.com – Live, 24/7 online tutoring for K–12 (1:1 sessions). Professional service; sessions are timed and can cost more.
• Paper – A school-district solution offering unlimited tutor chat and drop-in help for all students. Always-on availability; lacks formal class structure.
• My Engineering Buddy – Specialized live tutoring for college-level engineering and math. High satisfaction for advanced STEM; not meant for general K–12 curriculum.

Each alternative has strengths (e.g. cost, flexibility, specialization) and weaknesses (e.g. lack of live teaching, subject limits). Families should choose based on their needs (e.g. general K–12 support vs. specialized help).

Q: Can I use Elevate K-12 on my own, or is it only through schools?

Answer: Elevate K-12 is designed to be used by schools or districts, not by individual families directly. Students participate in Elevate classes through their school’s program. There is no public signup for private customers. If you are a parent, you can only access Elevate K-12 if your school has contracted with them.

Q: Who founded Elevate K-12 and where is it headquartered?

Answer: Elevate K-12 was founded by educator Shaily Baranwal in 2015. It is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company has since grown into a major ed-tech provider with national reach in the U.S.

Conclusion

Elevate K-12 offers a unique live-teaching solution for schools facing teacher shortages. Its strengths include certified teachers, accredited content, and a wide range of subjects. Educators appreciate the scheduling flexibility and support systems. On the other hand, Elevate has drawbacks: unclear pricing, limited state coverage, and reliance on proprietary curriculum that may not always align with local standards. Its services are tailored to institutional use, not individual learners.

For advanced students looking for more specialized help, My Engineering Buddy is a smart alternative. MEB focuses on high-level engineering and math tutoring on demand, with very positive student reviews. While Elevate excels at supplementing classroom instruction, My Engineering Buddy excels at personalized support for challenging courses. Families and students should choose the option that best fits their situation: Elevate K-12 for broad academic support through schools, or My Engineering Buddy (and similar platforms) for targeted one-on-one tutoring in specialized subjects.