Second grade is a critical turning point in a child's educational development. Through second grade, children learn to read; after second grade, children read to learn. STAIR students are matched with a dedicated volunteer for weekly tutoring sessions.  These one-on-one tutoring sessions are tailored to each individual student's ability. STAIR is offered to families at no charge.

Building relationships between the student and tutor is key to what we do. Each child works with the same tutor every week and receives caring, undivided attention during the session. They read together, play word games, complete writing exercises, and practice basic literacy skills such as phonics and vocabulary.

Our Work

Our Mission

STAIR’s mission is to improve the self-esteem and reading skills of lower elementary public school children. STAIR achieves it’s mission by recruiting and training volunteer tutors to work with public school students during critical developmental years.

Our Curriculum

STAIR’s curriculum includes the following components:

  • reading

  • vocabulary

  • phonics

  • comprehension

  • fluency

  • literacy games

STAIR provides all students with new books and school supplies necessary for their tutoring sessions.  All staff, tutors, and volunteers must complete a comprehensive background check and ongoing training. Together, tutors and students work on reading comprehension, decoding skills, interactive reading, and other activities in conjunction with STAIR's proven curriculum.