At Lead to Read KC, we believe every child deserves the chance to become a confident reader, and we’re on a mission to make that happen. As we gear up for a new school year, we’re celebrating the powerful progress our community made together. From one-to-one reading sessions to author visits and citywide literacy events, this past year was filled with connection, growth, and joy. Here’s how, together, we helped students turn the page on what’s possible:
Reading Mentoring: More Hours, More Joy, More Readers
- 29,015 reading sessions with students across 31 public and charter schools and 4 districts
- 100% of teachers say our Reading Mentors boost student attitudes toward reading
- 97% of Reading Mentors would recommend the program to a friend
- 88% of teachers and administrators say the program improves students’ reading abilities
- 85% of students said reading is fun—the most common word they used? “Fun.”
This isn’t just about books. It’s about trust, joy, and kids lighting up when someone shows up just for them. As one mentor shared: “My student was shy at first. Now he lights up when we read. His teacher said, ‘It’s because he trusts you.’”
Become a Reading Mentor today and be that trusted person who gets to read a good book with a great kid.
Tutoring: Real Gains, Real Growth
- 1,352 students tutored across 20 schools
- 47,019 lessons delivered
- 69,491 books read
- 89% of students made measurable gains
More data is coming soon from our KCPS pilot evaluation, but this much is clear: tutoring works.
Author Partnerships: Storytelling That Heals
This year we arranged 90 visits with four incredible local authors, all focused on emotional and mental wellness.
We also piloted a reading author visit program. As part of our pilot model featuring repeated author visits focused on emotional wellness, students were asked if they agree with this statement: “I know what to do when I feel sad.”
The number of students who agreed increased significantly:
- First grade: from 5 to 17 students — an increase from 18% to 61% of the class
- Third grade: from 13 to 19 students — rising from 46% to 68% of the class
Books have the power to transform us, and the authors we partner with are helping heal through their work.
Reading Is Everywhere: 40,000 Books, Countless Moments
We reached a new milestone, distributing more than 40,000 books through barbershops, shelters, and community events! Want to help? Host a book drive or visit a Reading Is Everywhere site today.
Community Highlights: Read for 15 + Reading Rally
From the Read for 15 Challenge with 15 and the Mahomies to our biggest-ever Reading Rally with 3,000+ kids, we celebrated literacy in unforgettable ways.
Every hour read, every book delivered, every student reached is possible because of your generosity. To all our donors, volunteers, and partners, thank you. Together, we’re changing the literacy story of Kansas City. Be part of it and sign up to be a Reading Mentor today.
