Boone County Mentoring Partnership is joining forces with United Way of Central Indiana to pair volunteers with third-graders around four Boone County elementary schools to improve literacy skills.
This year’s program begins in September 14, 2026 and runs through April 2027.
Volunteers spend an hour reading with two third graders for 30 minutes each week, helping students get on track – and stay on track – with grade-level literacy.
- You can volunteer for multiple schools and/or times.
- All volunteers undergo a background check.
- If your schedule demands, volunteers can adjust their schedule mid-year.
- Training and books are provided.
What’s at stake in Boone County?
1 in 8
About 12-13% of Boone County 3rd graders, or about 1 out of 8, didn’t pass the IREAD exam in 2024.
4x
Students not at grade level by 3rd grade are 4x more likely to drop out of high school later and risk future loss of earnings.
3rd Grade
A growing body of research shows intervention around the 3rd grade helps kids transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”
Barriers to reading shouldn’t hold kids back in Boone County
Barriers to proficient reading vary. English may be a second language in their home, they may face challenges at home, or they might just lack someone to read to them in English. Plus, new state laws require children to be held back by 4th grade if they’re not proficient in reading.
You can help keep kids on track by volunteering an hour of your time to serve two third graders each week at an elementary school close to you.
