On Friday mornings, the sixth floor is full of the kind of learning that feels distinctly Nightingale: students sitting side by side, talking through a math problem, reviewing vocabulary, reading aloud, or working together to finish an assignment. Across three classrooms, Lower, Middle, and Upper School students gather for peer tutoring, a program that has become both a source of academic support and a meaningful bridge between divisions.

Over the past decade, the Peer Tutoring program has grown steadily. The program currently includes approximately 60 tutoring pairs, and during the 2024–2025 school year, there were 90 pairs in total. Led by ProCom Advisor and Director of Learning Resources Nicole Cohen and Student Co-heads Audrey P. ’26 and Orli R-S. ’27, peer tutoring offers younger students the opportunity to receive individualized academic guidance from Upper School students in a setting that is supportive, encouraging, and personal.

For students receiving tutoring, the value is often found in the simple power of having someone sit beside them and explain the work in a way that feels just right. Peer tutors provide additional opportunities to ask questions, practice skills, read aloud, write, and talk through new concepts without the pressure of speaking in front of a full class. They also offer immediate feedback, encouragement, and a steady presence as students work through assignments.

"What makes peer tutoring so special in a K–12 setting is the mix of relationships and shared experience. It’s one of the only programs where students aren’t just getting help: they’re learning from peers who’ve been in their shoes and are familiar with the class and material. That shared understanding makes the support feel more personal and meaningful," Ms. Cohen said.

The program also reflects one of the unique strengths of a K–12 community. Younger students receive support from older students who understand both the academic expectations and the experience of growing up at Nightingale, while Upper School tutors have the opportunity to lead, mentor, and build relationships across grades. In the process, Peer Tutoring helps normalize both asking for help and offering it.

"Students see themselves as part of something bigger," Ms. Cohen continued. "Older students become mentors, and younger students gain academic confidence while building connections that extend beyond the classroom. Some peer tutoring partnerships even last for years, which says a lot about how special those relationships can be."

In addition to the broader peer tutoring program, seventh grade students also have access to executive functioning support led by Ella D. and Carolina L. Each week, they work with a small group of students to reinforce organizational skills, time management, and effective study strategies.

As the program continues to grow, its impact is clear: peer tutoring is popular, purposeful, and deeply connected to the relationships that define the Nightingale experience.