Located just south of Milwaukee along the shores of Lake Michigan, Willow Glen Primary School in St. Francis, Wisconsin, serves students in kindergarten through third grade. As part of the St. Francis Public School District, Willow Glen has a student body of about 250, and in 2023, was one of just eight Wisconsin schools to be named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
Despite national accolades and community support, Willow Glen also faces familiar challenges: tight funding and growing class sizes. With the passage of Wisconsin Act 20 – legislation focused on improving statewide reading scores – Willow Glen knew partnering with Reading Corps made good sense.
“Reading Corps helps us seamlessly meet the requirements of the new state early reading statute, ensuring that all reading needs are met,” says Karen Penvose, Director of Learning and Innovation for St. Francis Public School District.
Working in harmony with school curriculum, tutors provide extra practice and support to students who need a boost. The goal is to help more students reach grade-level proficiency, and the data shows it’s working!
Tutors Boost School Capacity
As part of the school community, local tutors Jennifer and Mya serve full-time and have been tutoring at Willow Glen Primary School since 2024. They meet with each student on their caseload daily for 20-minutes of targeted skill building. With additional support and encouragement, incredible growth happens.
The extra support not only benefits the students who receive tutoring, but also the other educators in the building. “With Reading Corps managing this essential layer of support, our literacy coach and interventionists can focus their efforts where they are needed most,” explains Penvose. “Directly addressing our students with the greatest needs and empowering teachers to elevate classroom instruction.”
Building Reading Proficiency Together
Since 2022, Reading Corps has helped more than 130 Willow Glen students strengthen their literacy skills through evidence-based, high-impact tutoring – with 70% exceeding targeted growth!
“It’s been an absolute game-changer,” says Penvose, who added that the tutoring support has helped the school close learning gaps in recent years. And the impact continues to grow. In year one of the partnership, tutors delivered 2,271 tutoring sessions to students. Last year, this increased to nearly 5,000 sessions. The partnership helps ensure that every student who requires extra support has the opportunity to receive it.
Based on the success they’ve seen with Reading Corps, St. Francis Public School District has decided to add Math Corps at both Willow Glen Primary School and Deer Creek Intermediate School for the 2026-27 school year.
A Pathway to Teaching
While the state works to address a growing teacher shortage and bolster retention, Reading Corps is inspiring a new generation of educators. At Willow Glen, Jennifer is excited to work toward becoming a teacher. “She’s fallen so in love with education that she is pursuing a teaching degree so she can continue serving as a substitute teacher in our building!” Penvose shares.
With more than 60% of Wisconsin Reading Tutors interested in pursuing a career or further training in education, Jennifer is just one of many finding a pathway to teaching through service.
Have questions about bringing Reading Corps to your school? Email sites@ampact.us.
Photo credit: Willow Glen Primary School