Reading Mentorship meets Imagination Building in Underfunded Schools

With the support of One World, The Humanities Prep National Honors Society in NYC is launching a student-led reading mentorship program to support younger students in a local elementary school. With many schools in the community facing budget cuts and limited resources, this program aims to provide one-on-one reading support to help young learners build strong literacy skills.

From November 2024 to June 2025, student mentors from Humanities Prep will visit the elementary school twice a month to read with younger students, engage in vocabulary-building activities, and support reading comprehension.

By fostering a love for reading, these high school mentors will also serve as relatable role models who promote curiosity, kindness, and a sense of community.

Books for the program will be carefully selected to encourage inclusion and meaningful learning experiences, sourced through Scholastic purchases and community donations.

To celebrate the students’ growth and achievements, the program will conclude in June with a collaborative picture book project. Elementary and high school students will work together to create their own books—either inspired by their reading or their own original stories—reinforcing literacy skills while encouraging creativity and self-expression.

Through this initiative, these student leaders are not only strengthening literacy but also building meaningful connections and creating a supportive environment where young students can develop confidence in their reading abilities and imagination.