Type of site Private Company Headquarters Montreal Number of employees 20 | Website GradeSlam.org Founded 2014 | |
Key people Philip A. Cutler CEO, Roberto Cipriani CTO Industry Tutoring, e-learning, Online Tutoring Products Homework Help, Online Tutoring | ||
GradeSlam is an educational technology company that powers personalized learning in schools. GradeSlam was founded in 2014 by Canadian businessman, politician and philanthropist Philip A. Cutler with the mission to "democratize tutoring" and make it affordable and accessible to all students. The service is currently available at over 150 schools.
Contents
Services
For students, GradeSlam provides schools with the ability to offer students with instant chat-based access to certified tutors 24/7. Teachers and administrators from the schools utilizing GradeSlam receive insights into their students, identifying students who are struggling, what areas they are struggling with and how to help them improve. GradeSlam ensures the highest quality tutor, only accepting one percent of applicants. Tutors working for GradeSlam are regarded as an extension of each school's individual teaching staff.
History
While studying elementary education at McGill University, founder and CEO Philip A. Cutler started a local, in-home tutoring company based in Montreal. As his company began to grow, Cutler decided to add an online component to his in-home tutoring service in order to meet increased demand. With the online tutoring component was becoming increasingly mainstream, Cutler changed the name of the company to GradeSlam. From there on, online delivery became GradeSlam's focus.
In April 2015, GradeSlam has expanded their online delivery and adopted an on-demand model to provide students with 24/7 access to a tutor. In September 2015, GradeSlam moved exclusively online and changed their business to an unlimited use monthly subscription.
GradeSlam announced that it raised $1.6 million dollars from venture capitalists in August 2016.
Results
Multiple efficacy studies have been conducted on outcomes of students using GradeSlam.
• Students using GradeSlam at Baltimore City Public Schools performed significantly better on 5th grade iReady state assessments.
• A study conducted at Virtual High School saw students studying online were 23% higher engaged in their courses, resulting in significant improvement in achievement and pass rates.
Media Reception
GradeSlam has been featured on Breakfast Television and The National (CBC) as an innovative and cost effective way for students to get ahead in school. GradeSlam’s online tutoring component has also been written about in La Presse, Tech Crunch. Les Affaires, TechVibes and EdTech Review.
In September 2015, GradeSlam was selected by Tourism Montreal as one of the Top 10 Startups In Montreal.
Affiliations
GradeSlam is a member of the GSV Labs EdTech Innovation Lab, Real Ventures FounderFuel 2015 Cohort, Google-backed NEXT Montreal Program and was a Fondation Montreal 2015 Laureate. GradeSlam won the Canadian segment of the 1776 Challenge Cup.