Overview

The Advancing Community Engagement and Service (ACES) Institute connects schools with high-quality, in-school tutoring services delivered by trained University of Houston students. Our Cougar Tutors provide targeted academic interventions that align with campus goals, helping schools increase instructional capacity and drive measurable student success.

Our Role

The ACES Institute handles all aspects of tutor management — from recruitment and training to scheduling and performance monitoring — so schools can focus on instruction. Our tutors are equipped to support literacy, math, and other core subjects and we work closely with campus leaders to align services with instructional priorities.

Our Reach

The ACES Institute is an established vendor with both Houston Independent School District (Houston ISD) and Alief Independent School District (Alief ISD). We are proud to currently support multiple campuses across these districts. Additionally, we provide services to several charter schools.

Pricing Overview

The ACES Institute offers flexible pricing options tailored to meet the unique needs of each campus. Our models range from full-price service rates to sliding scale and shared-cost structures, including grant-funded opportunities. We welcome inquiries regarding pricing and program customization.

Partner Feedback

Hear directly from our school partners about the impact ACES Institute and Cougar Tutors are making in classrooms across Houston:

“Our Cougar Tutor provides personalized academic assistance to our scholars, helping them improve their understanding of challenging subjects, boost their confidence, and develop strong reading skills.”  — Partner Administrator

“[Tutor] contributes to the classroom environment by bringing a positive and upbeat attitude. She utilizes my techniques during small-group instruction to minimize misunderstandings. She is great at redirecting and addressing behavior while I am teaching. The students and I enjoy having her in our class!” — Partner Teacher

“[My tutor] is an amazing tutor. He's always there whenever I need help. He has always taught us easily and with care. I would most definitely recommend him to another student who needs a tutor.” — Student