Dictionary.com lists tutorial in its noun form to mean:
“a class in which an instructor gives intensive instruction in some subject to an individual student or small group of students.”

A tutorial is a fee-for-service class offered by an individual teacher serving as an independent contractor, a group of parents who have retained a teacher as an independent contractor, a group of teachers in a co-operative arrangement, or an organization hiring teachers and then charging student-participants for a class.  Teachers can be parents/professionals with an interest and expertise in the subject or certified teachers (who may also be home-educating parents.)  Tutorials may be full courses or a portion of a course (eg the writing portion of a high school English course)

The Tutorial links on SMIC Academy website are classroom opportunities offered in the metro-Birmingham, Alabama area.  This section of our website is maintained as a service to families in the area.   Because classes are added and deleted as enrollment fills, parents are encouraged to visit this site to see what has changed.

Some tutorial programs are for all grade levels K-12 (eg. McWane Science Center, Southern Artworks).  Others serve a single grade or grade range 7-9, or 10-12 or 9-12.

The role of the student and parent vary with the tutorial.  Some tutorials offer complete service including testing, grading and certificates of completion, while others may expect some teaching or grading by the parent.  Most tutorials meet weekly or biweekly with at-home assignments for independent study by the student.

SMIC Academy makes no claim as to the quality of the class or qualifications of individual teachers in every tutorial listed on our site.  At this time we do not list individually sponsored tutorials, but only those organized by church schools,  parent co-operatives or educational organizations serving the general public. It is the responsibility of each parent to evaluate the course content and teacher qualifications with regard to their family’s convictions and their children’s needs.

Parents who are interested in online tutorials are encouraged to look at our listing of links and view individual subject areas.  There are many individual courses and entire high school curriculum that can be accomplished by the motivated student in the educational on-line community.

SMICA Tutorials  (three locations, Bluff Park, 280 and Briarwood Christian School on 119)

Other Tutorials  (metro Birmingham area)