Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe

Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe is the brainchild of a passionate group of activists who wanted to find a way to tackle the literacy achievement gap among students in Asheville City and Buncombe County schools. Our volunteers receive comprehensive literacy training and then work one-on-one with K-3rd students to help them learn to read at grade level. Why does early literacy make a difference? Kids who aren't reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade are 4x as likely as their peers to drop out of school. And it is well known that up through 3rd grade, you learn to read-after 3rd grade, you read to learn. Being able to read at grade level is one of the greatest indicators of academic and life success for young people. Since 2011, when our first tutors entered their first elementary schools, we have gone on to serve over 220 students across 11 different city and county schools. There are so many more students that would benefit from the one-on-one engagement and mentorship our amazing volunteers provide and we look forward to continuing to grow and reach more students.