QE Tutoring (Build Foundation) Review – Calgary Math Tutoring Service

QE Tutoring (also branded as Queen Elizabeth Academy) is a Calgary-based tutoring company specializing in one-on-one private math lessons and related subjects. The company emphasizes “building foundations” in math and science, not rote memorization[1]. QE Tutoring offers individualized support from elementary grades through high school (and even pre-university) levels. In this review, we outline QE Tutoring’s services, teaching approach, pricing and policies (as publicly available), tutor qualifications, service area, customer feedback, and notable differentiators.

Services Offered (Subjects, Levels, Formats)

· Subjects: Math (K–12, including advanced courses like Pre-Calculus and Calculus), English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and other STEM subjects[2][3]. They also provide specialized IB and AP tutoring, and private high-school credit courses for junior/senior years (e.g. English 1–4, Math 9–12, Sciences 10–12)[4].

· Grade Levels: Elementary school (Grade 5–8) through high school (Grades 9–12). The focus is on mid-to-upper grades where math curriculum becomes challenging – e.g. Grade 9/10 foundational math through Grade 12 Calculus/Adv. Functions[5][6].

· Formats: Primarily one-on-one private lessons. QE Tutoring advertises all Calgary math tutoring is delivered in 1:1 sessions[7]. They also run small group “credit courses” (Zoom classes capped at ~8 students) for high-school credit subjects[4][8]. Lessons can be held in-person (at the student’s home or a QE premises) or live online via Zoom. The company notes it has premises in Calgary (and other cities) and provides online tutoring for all other locations[9].

· Specialties: Test prep and homework support are built into the program. For example, QE Tutoring provides weekly practice worksheets, mock exams, and test-taking strategies[10][11]. They explicitly align lessons with the school curriculum (notably Ontario curriculum, but similarly applied in Calgary)[1]. The emphasis is on concept mastery (breaking down foundation gaps) so students can tackle advanced problems and exams confidently[11][12].

Tutoring Philosophy & Methodology

QE Tutoring’s philosophy is to build a strong conceptual foundation rather than rely on memorization[1][12]. Lessons follow a structured, step-by-step approach: tutors review school material, explain each concept clearly, then apply it to progressively difficult problems. The aim is to ensure students truly understand the “why” behind math and science topics[1]. Instructors systematically identify and fill gaps from previous years so that each new topic is taught on solid ground[13][12].

QE Tutoring emphasizes “building foundations” – they describe teaching as constructing mastery block by block, mirroring students’ academic growth[1][12].

Across every session, tutors focus on application: after reviewing concepts, students work on school homework and test-level word problems. Custom worksheets target the same difficulty as exams, training students for high school test challenges[11]. In addition, QE Tutoring offers seminars/workshops (often free) on study skills and exam strategy, sharing techniques used by top-achieving students[14][12]. For group credit courses, class size is deliberately small (≤8 students) to encourage interaction and peer discussion. For example, students present solutions in class and classmates/tutor probe each step, reinforcing understanding over rote memorization[8].

Overall, the methodology stresses curriculum alignment and conceptual clarity. Tutors “follow the school curriculum closely” and adjust explanations to meet each student’s learning pace[1]. By building skills in sequence, QE Tutoring claims its students gain confidence and are better prepared for senior high school years and beyond[15].

Pricing, Session Structure, and Policies

QE Tutoring does not publicly list specific rates on its website. The company encourages prospective clients to inquire or book a consultation for personalized scheduling and pricing[16]. According to the site, new clients can request information via phone or email (listed as (888) 336-0885 and vwlee2008@gmail.com[17]).

· Session Structure: Lessons are typically 1 hour or longer, depending on student needs. The site mentions “weekly” lessons with periodic progress reviews, suggesting ongoing sessions rather than one-off tutoring. For private credit courses, sessions are scheduled blocks over a semester (e.g. summer school or evening class)[4].

· Consultations & Guarantees: QE Tutoring invites consultations and trial lessons (often via the “Book consult” option) but does not explicitly advertise any free trial sessions or satisfaction guarantees online. No official refund or guarantee policy is disclosed in the public materials. (We did not find any mention of a money-back guarantee or free trial offer on the website or listings.) Any satisfaction policies appear handled case-by-case through their client communication channels.

· Payment Methods: According to a business listing, QE Tutoring accepts Visa, cash, and e-transfers, and offers flexible options (tutors come “to your place” or online)[18][19]. However, detailed pricing (hourly rates or package costs) is not published on their site.

In summary, parents should expect to arrange tutoring after an initial inquiry/consult. The lack of posted rates suggests fees are set per student, subject, or tutor qualification.

Tutor Qualifications & Matching

QE Tutoring highlights its team of specialized tutors and credentials. On the website, tutor profiles show advanced degrees and subject expertise:

· Certified teachers with university degrees (e.g. a Math teacher with a Master of Education from U. of Toronto[20], a Math teacher with 6+ years’ experience).

· Subject specialists currently in graduate programs (e.g. Physics tutor entering a PhD program[21]).

· Professionals with science backgrounds (e.g. Biology/Chemistry tutor with a science degree, Dental school student[22]).

· PhD candidates or holders in relevant fields (e.g. an English PhD candidate who also directs a writing program[23], a Math/Physics tutor who taught at university[24]).

· Tutors with extensive teaching hours (e.g. one math tutor has 1200+ hours of tutoring experience[25], another is a certified math teacher with 6 years of TA experience[26]).

The site claims 40+ tutors each specialized in a subject area[2], suggesting QE can match students to instructors by grade level and learning style. In practice, parents are likely asked about their child’s needs and then paired with a tutor who best fits (in subject matter, grade level, and personality). While the site doesn’t detail the matching process, the variety of tutor backgrounds implies they assign according to expertise (for example, assigning a PhD-bound physics tutor to senior high physics, or a certified teacher to foundational math). The company also employs an academic advisor (MD candidate) to design learning strategies[27], indicating a structured oversight of tutor training and curriculum.

Overall, QE Tutoring markets highly qualified tutors. In customer reviews, parents frequently mention the tutors’ attentiveness and expertise (for instance, one review noted tutors “actually teach and care about ensuring students fully grasp the learning”[28]). Given this, QE Tutoring’s matching approach appears personalized, even though exact policies (trial lessons, tutor changes, etc.) are handled privately with families.

Location & Accessibility

QE Tutoring serves Calgary and broader regions via online sessions. The company explicitly notes it has a Calgary location for in-person tutoring (alongside sites in Oakville and Etobicoke) and offers live online Zoom tutoring elsewhere[9]. In Calgary, tutors can come to the student’s home, and group credit courses may be offered online or at the Calgary premise. (No specific Calgary address is listed publicly, but the mention of a local “premise” suggests they maintain a space in the city.)

Importantly, the business states “Queen Elizabeth premise are currently located in Calgary, Oakville and Etobicoke. For other locations, we offer online live tutoring over Zoom.”[9]. This implies full coverage of Calgary neighborhoods and likely surrounding area. Families in any part of the city should be able to access QE’s tutoring (either in-person or via Zoom). The operating hours listed for Calgary math tutoring suggest availability afternoons/evenings on weekdays and Saturday mornings[29].

In summary, QE Tutoring appears to serve all areas of Calgary (no exclusions noted) and is fully accessible online. They advertise being a Calgary-focused service, so we can infer they cater to public, Catholic, or IB curriculum students in Alberta.

Customer Feedback & Reviews

QE Tutoring’s public feedback is overwhelmingly positive. On the company’s website, multiple Google Reviews are embedded showing an average 4.9-star rating. Parent comments consistently praise the individualized attention, communication, and academic improvements. For example:

· One parent described QE as a “turning point” for their child’s education, highlighting the tutors’ great attention to each student’s strengths and weaknesses, flexible strategy changes, and diligent follow-up by the management[30].

· Another noted that during COVID disruptions, QE’s small online classes and daily checks “far exceed” the public school approach, with constant support and feedback[31].

· A third review mentioned that after QE tutoring, their child’s mindset toward math became “incredible” and performance improved greatly, thanking the academy for strengthening their learning abilities[32].

Common themes in positive feedback include improvement in grades, confidence gains, and high levels of support/communication. Reviewers frequently say the tutors are “kind and attentive” and that they would “definitely recommend” QE Tutoring[33][34]. The emphasis on building foundation and understanding rather than “easy get-high grades” shortcuts is often noted; parents appreciate the thorough, patient teaching style[34][35].

Negative feedback about QE Tutoring is scarce. In our research across Google, Facebook, and other platforms, we found virtually no consistent criticisms publicly posted. (Most publicly visible reviews are the glowing testimonials on the site.) The lack of negative themes suggests that either dissatisfied clients seldom leave online feedback, or that the company is adept at resolving concerns privately. We did not find credible reports of issues such as scheduling conflicts or poor tutoring quality.

In one industry ranking, QE Tutoring is rated very highly (4.9/5) and noted for its “personalized education in small class sizes” and wide subject coverage[36]. While that is a summary from an external directory rather than a direct review, it aligns with the positive narrative on the company’s own site. Overall, parents researching QE Tutoring can expect to hear about dedicated tutors, solid foundation-building, and impressive student outcomes[30][1].

Accolades & Distinguishing Features

QE Tutoring highlights several achievements and unique attributes that set it apart:

· University Admissions & Scholarships: The company proudly cites a track record of students admitted to top universities (Waterloo, Queen’s, McGill, Western, Laurier, etc.) often with scholarships (ranging $2,000–$48,000 according to their claim)[37][14]. For instance, the website shows a congratulatory banner noting admitted students (Queen’s Commerce, Western Ivey, U of T Rotman, etc.) and scholarship awards[38][14]. They even note a former student ranked in the top 15 nationally by a University Hub ranking[39]. These alumni success stories serve as social proof of QE’s long-term impact.

· Academic Credentials: QE Tutoring is a registered private school (Ministry-accredited; BSID 882306)[40]. This is uncommon among tutoring centers. For credit courses, being provincially inspected lends credibility to their curriculum and ensures lessons meet official standards[40].

· Expert Tutor Team: With “40+ tutors” each specialized in a subject/grade[2], QE can match varied student needs. The presence of high-level tutors (PhD candidates, certified teachers, etc.) is a distinct feature highlighted in their marketing.

· Small Class Size (for group courses): QE caps group courses at 8 students[8], making them more interactive than typical credit classes. This tutorial-style approach (students presenting in class, interactive problem-solving) is a distinctive element of their pedagogy[8].

· “Build Foundations” Brand: The tagline “Build Foundations” itself encapsulates QE’s mission. They repeatedly contrast their method with quick-fix cram schools by stressing foundation gaps and concept mastery[41][1]. This thematic focus is a differentiator in their advertising.

· Regional Presence: QE Tutoring is one of few tutoring providers with an in-city premise in Calgary (in addition to Ontario locations)[9]. This local presence, coupled with a broad online footprint, means they position themselves as a dedicated Calgary resource, unlike many national chains.

While not a formal “award”, being listed among Canada’s top private tutors in some directories indicates the brand’s high reputation. The various success stories of alumni in medical, engineering, and business fields (shown on the website) serve as informal accolades.

Bottom line: Parents seeking Calgary math tutoring will find QE Tutoring (Build Foundation) to be a well-established option focused on one-on-one instruction. Its main strengths are the depth of its tutor team, its foundational teaching philosophy, and a strong record of student achievement. The company’s emphasis on curriculum alignment and individualized learning is backed up by numerous positive testimonials[1][30]. However, prospective clients should note that pricing is not listed online and will require direct inquiry.

Sources: QE Tutoring’s official site and related pages[2][42][1][20][30]; third-party listings[3][9] (as cited).