Aretha Gao

I’m a recent college graduate from Duke, where I competed as a Division I student-athlete on the fencing team and learned the importance of discipline, resilience, and balance while managing a demanding STEM course load. My background spans both research and clinical settings, including work as an undergraduate research assistant studying T-cell immunology, hands-on patient support at Duke’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, and physician shadowing within the Duke Hospital system. These experiences deepened my curiosity and appreciation for learning and helped me realize that I’m motivated to make education more accessible and help students reach that moment when a concept finally clicks and makes sense.

As a tutor, I aim to make learning approachable by breaking down complex ideas into clear, manageable steps. I focus on helping students build confidence through learning effective test-taking strategies and gaining a strong understanding of the material. Having been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors throughout my own academic journey, I value creating an encouraging environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and strengthening their problem-solving skills. My goal is for every student to leave our sessions not only with a better grasp of the content, but also with greater confidence and practical tools they can carry into their everyday life.

Middle School Services: SSAT • ISEE • HSPT • Middle School Math
High School Services: Algebra I • Algebra II • Biology • AP Biology

Comprehensive ACT/SAT Test Prep Program: $3,960
Hourly Non-AP Academic Tutoring: $150
Hourly AP Academic Tutoring: $175