In the Brown Memorial Tutoring Program, a child’s successes, no matter how small or large, are celebrated, and all of the children are able to make progress and experience the increased confidence and sense of pride that comes with achievement. 

Read a thank you from the Tutoring Program to its supporters, as well as more information about this year’s End of the Year Celebration. 

Who We Serve

Each year approximately 75 to 80 students from four Baltimore City Public Schools participate in the Brown Memorial Tutoring Program and receive 75 minutes of one-on-one instruction in reading. The program’s goal is to help students improve their reading and writing skills and to awaken in them a love of reading.

The children in the program are in grades 1-5 and most attend the program for two to three years. The tutoring program works closely with the schools’ principals and teachers to identify students who would benefit most from individualized reading instruction. Most of these children are struggling in school and are well below grade level in reading.

In the 2016-2017 school year, we are proud to partner with Mt. Royal Elementary/Middle School, the Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School, John Eager Howard Elementary School, and Eutaw-Marshburn Elementary School.

TUTORING PROGRAM STORY:

Read about how practicing “mindfulness” is preparing our students to learn each day.

Read an interview with Mt. Royal’s Principal Job Grotsky.

Our Tutors

Our dedicated volunteer tutors come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences; some have had experience in teaching, but some have not.  At the beginning of the school year, tutors receive excellent training in reading instruction based on the Orton-Gillingham method, and workshops on elements of reading instruction are conducted throughout the year. Program staff are available at all sessions to guide and support the tutors, and there is an extensive library of books and teaching resources.

TUTORING PROGRAM STORY:

Read about the Tutoring Program’s February 2017 Celebration of Service event that honored long-time tutor David Mock and his family.

Read about Jigger Kratz’s three decades of tutoring at Brown Memorial.

Our Results

Every year we carefully assess each student’s progress. Last year’s assessments showed that more than 92 percent of our students achieved solid progress and 55 percent advanced at least one grade level in reading – a major achievement for students who are often two or three grade levels behind.

While our focus is literacy, the program provides other critical benefits to the children we serve – having a caring adult be a consistent part of their lives each week and exposing them to new ideas and possibilities.

TUTORING PROGRAM STORY:

Learn more about the Tutoring Program’s methodology for helping students achieve literacy.

Donate

Funding for the program comes from a range of supporters, including Brown Memorial. Additional financial support is raised through generous donations from individuals and foundations committed to advancing literacy and helping the children of Baltimore City succeed.