Excellence in education
Specializing in English Language Arts
A unique approach
Unlike many one-size-fits-all tutoring centers, I specialize in Language Arts. I am the go-to person if you want your child to become a faster, sharper, more enthusiastic reader and writer.
Need a good grammar doctor for your middle-schooler? Want to boost your teen’s score on the Verbal part of the SAT/ACT? Looking for someone to help your high school senior craft winning college application essays? You have come to the right place.
My mission is to enrich students’ Language Arts experience and help them develop a greater appreciation for reading and writing in general.
Nurturing a love of learning
I want all kids to feel the joy that comes from exploring their personalities through their writing, and I strive to make them see writing as a powerful vehicle for connecting with others. Another primary objective is to lay the foundation for high school Honors/AP English and the SAT/ACT. I want even those students who do not intend to pursue advanced English courses to be able to read and write at a high level. I am proud to say that students I have mentored through the college application essay-writing process have been admitted to UC Berkeley, UCLA, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Johns Hopkins University, Dartmouth College, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Chicago, Rice University, Georgetown University, Boston University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, New York University (NYU), Case Western University, University of Notre Dame, and other top schools.
Prior to launching my tutoring company, I was a daily newspaper reporter for 10 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. So, I know how to engage an audience with words. I love using my skills and experience to help young people write clearly and cogently on deadline.
Something for everyone
I provide a range of services to meet your child’s individual needs, including small group reading and writing classes for students in Grades 5-12, and both online and in-person classes at my office suite in downtown Pleasanton, CA.
I limit my class sizes to no more than six students to ensure all children receive the reading and writing help they need. I also create my own original curriculum for every class, tailored to students’ needs and goals.
While most of my students are from the eastern San Francisco Bay Area communities of Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville, Livermore, and Mountain House, I welcome students from all over the country in my online classes. My regular hours of operation are:
3 p.m. - 8 p.m. PT on Monday - Wednesday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. PT on Sunday
What People Are Saying
“I would like to thank Jeanine so much for her help with my college application essays over the past year. This fall, I will be attending Purdue University for Computer Science. This wouldn't have been possible without her help.”
— K. Shah, San Ramon
“We are very pleased with Jeanine’s teaching methods and work attitude. Her lessons are always informative, engaging and with emphasis on topics where the student experiences difficulties. Jeanine is also very good in teaching test-taking skills. We highly recommend Jeanine Benca Tutoring to everyone who wants to improve their language skills.”
— Natan L., Concord
“Jeanine worked with my son on his reading and writing. He improved his SAT score by 160 points over his PSAT. Jason ended up scoring in the 99th percentile on his first SAT sitting. I was very pleased with Jeanine’s commitment, patience and professionalism.”
— T. Lau, Alameda
“Jeanine’s strategic approach in tutoring was a positive experience for my son. Her insights into the SAT maze improved my son’s mediocre score tremendously, and boosted it from 590 to 720 in the Writing section of the new SAT test. I would highly recommend Jeanine to anyone who needs a capable tutor. The results speak for themselves!”
— A. Lee, Pleasanton