Support our Scholars through the 2024 Annual Fund: High Dosage Tutoring

Foundation Academies is committed to raising awareness and resources around our most critical needs as an institution. Our scholars are going against the grain of alarming drops in reading and math proficiency in urban education, and they need our help. Announcing the launch of this year’s Annual Fund to raise $750,000 for High Dosage Tutoring!

After experiencing learning loss in virtual classrooms during the pandemic, FA amplified small group instruction through high dosage tutoring last year. In 2023-24, we provided free access for 275 scholars in grades 3 – 8 performing below grade level in Math or ELA. We leveraged in person tutoring as well as virtual instruction through Tutored by Teachers with a focus on building foundational skills. In less than 12 weeks, nearly half of the cohort jumped a grade level or more in ELA. All scholars experienced accelerated growth in Math & ELA.

Educator Melissa Whitaker, who heads up the Tutoring Program, has seen scholars’ lives transformed by access to it. The individualized approach has made an impact. “The benefit of tutoring is that it helps scholars get more practice with the foundational skills they are struggling with–which is different for every child,” she said. “We leverage data to group the scholars with peers and educators that will address their specific needs.”

Foundation Academies CEO, Sheria McRae, is a firm believer in how effective, high-quality tutoring can contribute to the holistic wellness and development of scholars.

“High dosage tutoring is a critical resource with demonstrated value for scholars in and outside the classroom. Aside from its direct impact on academic proficiency, it helps our scholars deepen their love for learning as well as self-confidence,” she said.

Special educator and tutor Summiya Abdul-Quddus has witnessed scholars gaining confidence by increasing their academic performance. “I’ve seen scholars grow exponentially–at times 2 or more grade levels in the course of one academic year,” she beamed. “I remember one scholar who lit up each time she proved to herself that she could retain a concept. She became more vocal and sure of herself over time.”

Like most effective tools, high-dosage tutoring is costly. The $750,000 covers one academic year of access for the scholars who need it most. While this goal may seem formidable, sponsoring one scholar for the year is $3,000. John Spears, a financial advisor and longtime leading donor at FA, sees the benefit of contributing significant amounts to our scholars.

“With FA, I saw an opportunity to invest in a high-performing charter school where the educators have a unique level of dedication to the students. High-dosage tutoring is another way to level the playing field and get a strong return on investment by offering students a chance to pursue the American Dream,” Spears said. 

Click HERE to join the fight and donate.