The Achieve Volunteer Tutor Program
Achieve’s hallmark tutoring program improves the academic performance and increases the confidence of children who are struggling with their schoolwork by pairing them with trained volunteer tutors.
The initiative was started in 1997, based on the notion that children who are not reaching their full academic potential would benefit from the help of a free tutor. Moreover, students who tutor for Achieve reinforce their own learning and develop leadership skills.
In a typical year, about 350 tutors — adults and students — assist as many students in grades K-12. Beginning in early April 2020, Achieve was able to successfully pivot our flagship volunteer tutor program to a virtual platform in response to school closures.
After conducting tutoring online through June 2021, Achieve is thrilled to be back to in-person one-on-one tutoring!
Becoming a Tutor
No formal teaching experience is necessary to be a tutor. School district staff lead required training workshops for tutors and supervise tutoring sites in the public schools. To participate, all volunteers must:
- Complete an application
- Give a brief interview
- Participate in the tutor training program
- Make a commitment of at least one hour per week for eight or more consecutive weeks
Questions? Please email program coordinator Shannon Kirk at skirk@somsd.k12.nj.us.
Requesting a Tutor
Elementary school students are typically referred to the program by their teachers. To request a tutor at any grade level, you may contact program coordinator Shannon Kirk at skirk@somsd.k12.nj.us.
Click here to watch an interview on SOMAtv about the tutoring program.
