Overview

Research consistently shows that students who read on grade level by 3rd grade are well-positioned to succeed academically, stay engaged in their education, and confidently tackle the challenges of middle and high school. When students develop strong reading skills, they unlock doors to future opportunities, including higher high school graduation rates and increased college attendance and persistence.

However, according to state assessments, just 35% of Philadelphia 3rd graders could read on grade level in 2024. When kids struggle to read effectively, school gets harder and harder, and educational problems compound. Students who struggle to read well are less likely to graduate high school, have fewer career choices, and miss out on the joy of reading.

Joyful Readers is focused on providing solutions that fill this persistent reading proficiency gap by equipping students with foundational literacy skills. We bring full-time tutors directly into Philadelphia public schools to provide daily, intensive reading tutoring to K-3 students.

Tutors serve in small teams in elementary schools for a full school year. They work with the same 20 students each and every day and provide reading instruction tailored to their needs. Using research-based, high-quality curriculum endorsed by teachers and experts alike, students gain the literacy skills they need to succeed in school, at work, and in their daily lives.