Elementary School: Wright to Read

Wright to Read has been providing services in the city of Alexandria for over 40 years. Wright to Read recruits, trains, and supports volunteer tutor-mentors who support elementary-aged children enrolled in ACPS who have been identified as needing additional support in reading. Due to the strength of the relationships fostered through this program, mentors and students often continue working together beyond elementary school and through middle and high school.  Tutor-mentors meet with their students out-of-school each week, primarily at public libraries. Wright to Read supplements weekly tutoring sessions with family engagement and enrichment opportunities throughout the year. Additionally, our early literacy program is designed to help preschoolers transitioning from Campagna Center’s Head Start programs into kindergarten.

Why Get Involved with Wright to Read?

• WTR works with Alexandria City Public School students, beginning in grades 1-5, who are at least one year behind their grade level in literacy skills. Many are 2-3 years behind. In addition, nearly all are low income, the majority are English Language Learners, and many receive Special Education services. We perform a baseline test of our students’ literacy skills and a follow-up after several months of tutoring, and we are proud to report that 90% of our students made significant gains.
• WTR staff rigorously screen, train, and coach volunteers, match them 1:1 with a student, and ask them to work with their students for at least one year. Many tutor/mentors continue to work with their student for two to three years. Some continue through middle and high school. While tutor/mentor volunteers join us to help a child in need, they all say that their involvement has enriched their own lives beyond their expectations. Hear more about the impact of mentoring in this video:
• WTR is a year-round, out of school time program. Because our tutor/mentors work with their students after school and on the weekends, there’s no loss in valuable classroom time, and year-round activities help to prevent summer learning loss.
• WTR is literature-based. We purchase just the right books for our students–books that are enjoyable and appropriate in content at each reading level. This is key to helping struggling readers. Tutor/Mentors and their students also meet in the rich environment of the Alexandria Library. After a tutor/mentor and student work on a book together, the student may add the book to their home library.
• WTR is also a mentoring program. Tutor/mentors become role models, cheerleaders, and trusted friends who build a student’s confidence.

Are you ready to become a Wright to Read Tutor/Mentor?

We are currently accepting new volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year! If you are a caring adult looking to make a difference in your community, please complete our Volunteer Interest Survey here so that we can contact you regarding next steps to join our community of Wright to Read tutor-mentors. Please check out the Campagna Center event calendar for any upcoming information sessions if you would like to learn more before completing the interest form.

If you have any questions please contact wrighttoread@campagnacenter.org