Ravenswood Reads
Ravenswood Reads is a community engagement program in which Stanford students tutor children in kindergarten through second grade in reading and language skill development.
Since 1986, Ravenswood Reads (first known as Ravenswood Stanford Tutoring Program) has connected Stanford students with elementary-age schoolchildren in meaningful one-on-one interactions that help develop language and literacy skills. As a unique partnership among the Haas Center for Public Service, the San Mateo County Library, and participating youth in the Redwood City School District and Ravenswood City School District, the program focuses on providing a service to children and families in Redwood City and East Palo Alto and creating a learning experience for Stanford students.
Ravenswood Reads supports readers in kindergarten through second grade by pairing Stanford tutors with children to help improve their decoding and comprehension skills. Ravenswood Reads is also a service-learning program that emphasizes the importance of adequately preparing and supporting tutors on an ongoing basis. As a tutor with the Ravenswood Reads Program, Stanford students:
- Discuss the role of literacy in society and the impact of educational inequities on literacy development and instruction in elementary education.
- Identify the essential components of literacy and incorporate research-based practices for supporting literacy in one-on-one tutoring sessions.
- Apply the principles of ethical and effective service to work with youth, peers, and community partners, particularly through on-going critical reflection of identity, power, and privilege.
Each year, Ravenswood Reads serves approximately 35 children, the majority of whom are English language learners, at the North Fair Oaks and East Palo Alto branches of the San Mateo County Library system. Ravenswood Reads director, Renee Scott PhD, co-teaches Education 103A/203A, the training course for new Ravenswood Reads tutors offered in the quarter of 2026. Rebecca Silverman, associate professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, co-teaches the class and serves as advisor to the program.
Submit a Tutor Application to become a Ravenswood Reads tutor.
For more information, please contact Renee Scott.