Private Tutoring Services provides individualized, self-paced academic instruction incorporating established, accredited curriculum in innovative, positive and caring environments. We develop educational programs that foster curiosity, instill knowledge and promote cultural awareness.

The purpose of Private Tutoring Services is to provide individualized academic programs that meet the varied personalities, desires and learning styles of each client. We believe that every person has a perspective that influences his or her approach to learning. Our goal is to fulfill the needs of our clients scholastically, while encouraging them to reach their goals personally. We hold dear to the idea that our goal as educators is to help develop well-rounded individuals who are excited by the learning process and who will evolve into contributing members of society.

We believe in advancing students' core and traditional educational courses, including the study of humanities, mathematics, sciences and a variety of electives that prepare our students for higher education in universities and colleges. We believe in self-paced, individualized programs that meet the unique learning styles of students in today's highly advanced, modern, technological world where flexibility within a structured environment is paramount. Critical thinking, study and organizational skills, and test-taking strategies are important components to our program, as well as the incorporation of expository writing and logical reasoning exercises and courses that stimulate cognitive functions. Our tutors utilize the Socratic method of instruction to enhance the educational experience.

We lead by example, proving ourselves to be compassionate, unpretentious human beings who try to reach our intellectual and personal potentials with integrity and clarity. We posture ourselves to be non-judgmental towards our students and others, and expect that those with whom we work will do the same. We believe in positive reinforcement for both behavior and academic performance.

We greatly value the educational process and experience, and therefore, believe that educators must be offered continued education, training and recognition. We support our community of educators and administrators with constant communication and constructive feedback.

Joanne Weiner, Founding Director

Private Tutoring Services was founded in 1989 by Joanne Weiner, an educator and an artist, who comes from a family of teachers, academics and scholars. A graduate of the University of Rochester, Ms. Weiner recognized that a key element missing from the traditional classroom model was individual attention that addressed the unique cognitive functions and social circumstances of each student. An educational visionary, she initially worked with schools in the School Board of Palm Beach County and private southern Florida boarding and day schools, branching out to students requiring academics beyond those available in the regular classroom.  Professional and amateur student athletes and artists requiring flexible training and performance schedules soon found that the PTS model worked for their schedules and lifestyles. Students disenfranchised by the traditional school model also found success at PTS.

With an intense demand to improve standards and abilities in a knowledge-based and technologically-advancing world, the PTS educational concept was immediately recognized and welcomed in an educational landscape undergoing rapid change. Assisted by a small group of accomplished, hand-picked educators adhering to uncompromising standards of academic excellence, Ms. Weiner subsequently established language and cultural exposure programs for multinational corporations, amateur and professional student equestrians and tennis players, and families preparing their children for entrance into top colleges and universities in the United States.

In 2000, PTS created a partnership with Indiana University High School, an accredited distance-learning and virtual school under the auspices of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Incorporating a center for students to work with tutors and be with other students, Ms. Weiner added a component to the distance and virtual school model that enhanced the educational experience for students and tutors. This hybrid school model, Royal Palm Academy, (a blending of virtual and distance learning programs within a structured ‘brick and mortar’ center or school) has given students a social and academic environment that allows programs to be individualized and self-paced.  It is the foundation of the new Royal Palm Academy where students will have the opportunity to truly liberate their academic potential.