Our Students and Schools

Read Ahead serves approximately 1,000 students, primarily from grades K-5, across 20 elementary schools in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Jersey City. Our school partnerships are the foundation of our program. We achieve great impact with our students because of the support we receive from teachers and administrators. For many of our schools, we have been partnered for over 20 years.

Eligibility

Students are recommended by staff within our partner schools because they are:

• Reading below grade level;
• English language learners;
• Need social or emotional support to boost their self-confidence, their classroom performance, or their interest in reading.

How Our School Partnerships Work

Schools provide:

1. School staff, primarily teachers, identify students who would most benefit from having a reading mentor;
2. Space for students and mentors to meet in one-on-one pairs such as classrooms, multi-purpose rooms, or libraries;
3. Belief in and support for the importance and impact of the program.

 

Read Ahead provides:

1. Our program at no cost to the schools and students we serve;
2. New books and supplemental resources to ensure a fun and safe learning environment;
3. A Read Ahead program coordinator, who matches students with mentors and facilitates the program each day.