Friends of CityTutor DC,
I’ve always believed in what’s possible for our students. When we started CityTutor DC, we set out to level the playing field and ensure that families without the means to pay for personalized support would receive it to close persistent gaps in access and achievement. Over the years, we’ve intentionally and collaboratively designed and deployed a program that does just that: high-impact tutoring (HIT)—an evidence-based approach that helps students get further, faster, and reach their academic goals.
And I’m proud to say it’s working. Students who received high-impact math tutoring—at least 90 minutes per week for ten weeks—grew 44 percent more than their non-tutored peers. That’s more than two additional months of learning in just one year. This is what less limitation, more possibility means. It’s a commitment to investing in, and building on, what works for DC students.
To date, district-level investment has driven the launch and growth of this success. But we know that alone won’t sustain it. Through a coalition committed to DC school communities, students, and district-level collaboration, our continued progress must rely less on government support and more on people like you, who care about DC student success. Grassroots community investment will help build momentum and accelerate the growth and achievement we’ve seen these past years.
Our 100,000 students in DC need consistent academic support, and most are already a grade level or more behind in reading or math. HIT is proven as one of the most effective strategies for accelerating student learning, and we know when it’s done well, it can mean two more months of extra learning. HIT has already helped 24,000 DC students feel more confident and motivated with measurable academic gains. DC schools are a proof point for high-impact tutoring and on track to be a national model for education recovery.
Beyond HIT, we’ve expanded our tutor-to-teacher pipeline, preparing tutors for a future in education and helping schools design flexible, team-based teaching models. We’re co-designing student success into our education system so every DC student has fewer limitations and more opportunities to thrive.
With your support, more is possible for DC students, tutors, and teachers. Right now, a generous match makes every dollar you contribute multiply its impact. Give today. Join in, invest in the success of DC’s students, tutors, and teachers, and help us get every student the excellent education they deserve.
In community,
Cat Peretti
Executive Director, CityTutor DC