READ USA Literacy Tutoring Delivers Remarkable Results 

History was made this year.

What began as a new partnership between READ USA and YMCA Tiger Academy quickly became a powerful success story: In only three months, students participating in READ USA Literacy Tutoring significantly accelerated their reading achievement during the most critical portion of the school year, demonstrating stronger growth than their peers and helping write a new chapter in Tiger Academy’s history.

The results of this partnership were extraordinary. However, for Team READ USA and Tiger Academy, these results represent far more than strong data:

They represent students building confidence, teachers strengthening instruction, tutors discovering their ability to change lives, and a school community proving what is possible when everyone works together around literacy.

READ USA students achieved approximately 32% greater reading growth than non-participating students between Progress Monitoring 2 and Progress Monitoring 3 on the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST).

Even more impressive, fifth-grade students participating in READ USA Literacy Tutoring achieved more than three times the growth on the FAST compared to their peers during the spring semester.

A Partnership Built for Student Success

This year marked the first time READ USA implemented both Literacy Tutoring and Workforce Development programming at a charter school.

At the same time, READ USA provided Teacher Professional Development to Tiger Academy’s English Language Arts teachers, strengthening classroom instruction and expanding the school’s overall capacity to drive literacy achievement within its walls.

The result was a comprehensive approach to literacy improvement that combined evidence-based classroom instruction, high-quality tutoring, dedicated educators, passionate teen tutors, and engaged school leadership—all hallmarks of successfully implementing READ USA-led programming.

Reflecting READ USA’s ultimate goal, the results showed up both inside tutoring sessions and inside classrooms. Students participating in READ USA not only demonstrated strong tutoring outcomes, but also excelled academically throughout the school day, reinforcing the power of the partnership between Tiger Academy teachers and READ USA’s instructional model.

Strong Results Across Grades

Across grades 3–5, students who participated in READ USA Literacy Tutoring demonstrated substantially stronger end-of-year growth on the FAST than non-participating students:

Third-grade students outperformed their peers and finished the year above key achievement thresholds.

Fourth-grade students entered the spring semester already ahead of comparison students and maintained that advantage through the end of the year.

And fifth-grade students delivered the strongest results of all.

As background, there are five levels of achievement possible on the FAST: one, two, three, four, or five. To further assess student growth, achievement levels one and two are broken down into smaller “buckets” to measure growth within and between levels for students not yet reading proficiently.

READ USA fifth graders gained an average of 2.0 achievement buckets, compared to just 0.66 buckets for non-participating students — more than three times the growth during the final progress-monitoring period. This means that the students with the greatest need made the most gains.

Students who contributed to Florida’s Learning Gains, Lowest Quartile Gains, and Proficiency calculations also demonstrated approximately 32% greater growth than comparison students, helping position Tiger Academy for historic accountability outcomes.

History-Making Results

According to Tiger Academy Executive Director Lauren Gibbs, those outcomes are helping the school achieve milestones never before reached.

“We are excited to share that Tiger Academy is projected to earn a ‘B’ school grade this year. This accomplishment is a direct reflection of the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our teachers and staff and the support of READ USA. Together, we created a culture focused on growth, high expectations, and success for every child, and we could not be prouder of what this community has accomplished.”

The school is projected to earn 465 school accountability points — the highest total in Tiger Academy history.

In addition, Tiger Academy achieved:

• 92% lowest quartile reading gains, the highest ever recorded
• 52% science proficiency, also the highest in school history
• Historic growth across multiple accountability measures

“History was made this year at Tiger Academy,” Gibbs shared. “These accomplishments reflect the resilience, dedication, and collective effort of our entire Tiger team.”

Teen Tutors Who Rose to the Occasion

Another powerful part of this story is who delivered the tutoring.

READ USA tutors at Tiger Academy were teens from the local community surrounding the school. With training, coaching, and support from READ USA teachers, they stepped into their roles with focus, passion, and professionalism.

Before tutoring began, READ USA provided multi-day training to prepare tutors to implement the curriculum effectively. Once tutoring was underway, certified READ USA reading coaches provided ongoing, in-the-moment coaching to ensure tutors were supported and students received high-quality instruction.

The results are a testament to the tutors’ dedication and to READ USA’s hands-on model.

These teen tutors did not simply complete lessons: They built relationships, encouraged students, reinforced foundational reading skills, and helped younger children believe in their ability to grow as readers.

Their work mattered — and the data proves it!

Gratitude for What Made It Possible

For READ USA President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly, the success at Tiger Academy reflects the power of partnership and donor investment.

“We are incredibly grateful to the donors who made Literacy Tutoring at Tiger Academy possible,” Dr. Kelly said. “We also thank the leadership, teachers, students, and families at Tiger Academy for embracing READ USA and our team. From teacher professional development and tutor recruitment to family engagement, this partnership allowed us to work together in an accelerated timeframe to make meaningful progress — and make history.”

Chief Programs Officer Tabetha West said the partnership worked because Tiger Academy’s team made full use of every resource READ USA brought to the table.

“From day one, Tiger Academy’s teachers and administrators welcomed READ USA as true partners,” West said. “The teachers, tutors, and students made tremendous use of every resource we could provide. It was a win-win partnership focused on one goal: improving outcomes for students. Seeing the growth these students achieved has been incredibly rewarding.”

Looking Ahead

The Tiger Academy results demonstrate what happens when high-quality instruction, evidence-based tutoring, dedicated teachers, committed school leaders, passionate tutors, and generous donors come together around student success.

Within three months, students accelerated their reading achievement, moved closer to proficiency, and helped write a new chapter in Tiger Academy’s history — and in READ USA’s.

To the students, tutors, teachers, families, donors, and school leaders who made this possible: THANK YOU!

Together, we did not just improve reading outcomes. We made history.

Summer Leadership Academy Begins Next Week!

Summer vacation is here—but for READ USA teens, their learning and growth continues!

Beginning June 8, approximately 30 READ USA teens will invest in their futures by embarking on a six-week journey of career exploration, leadership development, and workforce preparation through READ USA’s Summer Leadership Academy.

 Teens participating in READ USA’s Summer Leadership Academy in 2024.

As a core component of READ USA’s Workforce Development programming, Summer Leadership Academy builds upon the skills our teens develop throughout the school year while serving as literacy tutors and AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders in elementary schools across Duval County. From communication and professionalism to leadership and career readiness, the Academy helps participants connect their strengths, interests, and aspirations to future opportunities.

Over the course of six weeks, our teens will visit workplaces across Jacksonville, participate in behind-the-scenes tours, hear directly from industry leaders, and engage in discussions with professionals representing a wide variety of career fields.

Thanks to READ USA’s incredible partners across healthcare, local government, education, sports and entertainment, retail, public safety, the trades, and other sectors, participants will gain firsthand exposure to careers and pathways they may never have previously considered—or seen in action.

However, Summer Leadership Academy is about more than exploring careers: It is about helping young people discover who they are, what motivates them, and how their skills and interests can translate into meaningful work and leadership opportunities.

Watch a READ USA tutor describe her Summer Leadership Academy experience:

Throughout the program, tutors will complete assignments focused on career exploration, leadership development, self-discovery, and workforce skills. The experience culminates in a capstone project where participants present their career aspirations and leadership journey to a panel of community evaluators. Through these presentations, tutors demonstrate their understanding of a chosen career path, the steps required to pursue it, and how their own talents and interests align with their goals.

Every year, Summer Leadership Academy reminds us that our tutors are not just future professionals—they are future leaders.

We cannot wait to share what this year’s group experiences, learns, and accomplishes throughout the summer!

Get Involved!

If you or your company would like to host a site visit, participate on a panel, share your professional journey, or help expose our teens to your industry, we would love to hear from you. Email Becky at becky@readusainc.com and share what you envision for the experience.

Sierra’s First Store in Florida Supports READ USA

READ USA is honored to be the recipient of a generous $10,000 donation from Sierra as part of the retailer’s exciting entrance into Florida!

This past Saturday, Team READ USA joined Sierra’s leadership team, community members, and eager shoppers at the grand opening celebration of the company’s first Florida location in Jacksonville. During the event, Sierra presented READ USA with a $10,000 donation in support of our mission of improving reading proficiency and preparing young people for future success.

“It’s amazing how a brand-new company entering Florida chose to invest in Jacksonville’s children and teens from day one,” shared READ USA President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly. “As Sierra opens its doors in Jacksonville, this investment will help READ USA continue providing Literacy Tutoring, Workforce Development, Teacher Professional Development, and access to books for students and families throughout our community.”

The donation reflects Sierra’s commitment to supporting the communities it serves and investing in organizations that create meaningful impact for children and families.

“We are incredible excited to be part of the Jacksonville community and to bring our customers great brands, amazing values, and gear for all of life’s adventures,” shared Jen Juhr, store manager of the new Sierra location, during the grand opening celebration. “As part of today’s celebration, we’re proud to support READ USA with a $10,000 donation. We’re honored to support their mission and invest in the future of our community.”

Team READ USA extends our gratitude to Sierra and The TJX Companies for selecting READ USA as its community partner during this historic milestone for the company. We also extend our special thanks to Jen and the store team for their generosity, hospitality, and belief in the power of literacy to change lives.

To the entire Sierra and TJX Companies team: thank you for helping strengthen literacy and opportunity in our community!

We are grateful to partner with you as you begin this exciting new chapter in Florida!

Meet Our Teachers at Fort Caroline Elementary        

While many are celebrating the official end of the 2025-2026 school year, Team READ USA feels a little bittersweet: We’ve been so honored to feature all of the amazing teachers who help bring READ USA Literacy Tutoring to life at schools across Duval County during the past few months!

This week, we are honored to feature our incredible READ USA teachers at Fort Caroline Elementary School! (And next week is our final feature of the amazing teachers who supported Literacy Tutoring at Tiger Academy!)

#FastFact about Fort Caroline Elementary

Fort Caroline Elementary is named after—you guessed it!—Fort Caroline, a French settlement established in Jacksonville in 1564, more than 200 years before the United States became a nation!

The school’s name honors one of the earliest European settlements in what is now the United States and reflects the Jacksonville area’s rich and unique history.

Just as Fort Caroline helped shape the history of our community, students who attend Fort Caroline Elementary are building the skills that will help shape our community’s future.

(Source: National Park Service – Fort Carline National Memorial; Duval County Public Schools)

At all our Literacy Tutoring sites, our Teachers of Content and Organization work closely with tutors to ensure high-quality instruction, strong student engagement, and consistent progress monitoring. From coaching tutors to managing day-to-day operations, this team plays a critical role in moving students to grade-level reading proficiency.

Meet our Teachers at Fort Caroline Elementary below and read why they love the work they do at READ USA—and show them some love on social media HERE!

To better understand our teachers’ unique roles, read below:

Teachers of Content are responsible for all literacy content needs of READ USA Literacy Tutoring, ensuring seamless delivery of literacy content needs at each school site. Specifically, Teachers of Content coach and annotate tutor next steps and observations, model lesson parts, and provide tutor professional development. Importantly, they also audit and monitor student literacy growth and oversee student assessments, among other responsibilities.

Teachers of Organization oversee all operational needs of READ USA Literacy Tutoring. This essential role ensures smooth and efficient program delivery, from managing communications with schools, parents, and READ USA staff to collecting and entering weekly student data. Teachers of Organization also handle student discipline, transportation support, and provide oversight of the READ USA aftercare program.

Aftercare Teachers monitor and provide guidance to elementary students awaiting their Literacy Tutoring sessions each day. They are also responsible for student attendance, supper, and snack tracking, and deliver supplemental literacy programming, such as read-alouds and other literacy-focused activities.

THANK YOU to our incredible teachers at Fort Caroline Elementary for all you do for our students and teens!

Children’s Book: Bear at the Fair by Sophia Gholz    

Top 10 Finalist in Grades K-2 category | Illustrated by Susan Batori

Step right up and meet Bear!

In Bear at the Fair, Sophia Gholz invites readers into a bright, bustling world filled with lights, laughter, and just a touch of surprise.    

As Bear explores the fair, each page brings new sights, sounds, and experiences—from thrilling rides to tasty treats. But along the way, Bear must navigate the excitement (and a few unexpected moments) just like any child experiencing something new for the first time.

The rhythmic, playful text makes this story perfect for reading aloud, with a steady flow that invites participation and joy. The illustrations are lively and full of detail, giving young readers plenty to notice, discuss, and revisit.

This is a story that captures the magic of new experiences—leaving readers smiling, giggling, and ready to take their own adventure.