DC Schools Project
DC Schools Project (DCSP) is a tutoring, mentoring, and advocacy program that engages Georgetown students as volunteer and Federal Work Study (FWS)-funded tutors to provide English language tutoring and support for youth and adults of immigrant backgrounds in Washington, DC. The program was established in 1984 in response to the quadrupling of the language minority population in the DC public schools, as a result of the drastic increase in the immigrant population due to the civil war in El Salvador. The program seeks to improve the literacy skills and academic performance to ultimately increase the ability of the youth and adults to fully participate in the cultural, civic, educational, and economic life in US society. Fifteen student coordinators lead DCSP through which approximately 150 Georgetown students a semester have weekly commitments to one of its seven programs.
Our Model
Each semester about 150 tutors serve approximately 300 public and charter school students, their families, and members of the immigrant communities throughout DC at schools, in the tutees’ homes, on the Georgetown campus, and at community-based organizations.
School-based Programs
DCSP tutors provide after school tutoring and homework support at three elementary schools in the Columbia Heights, Parkview/Petworth, and Takoma/Brightwood neighborhoods. Tutors work with students of immigrant backgrounds who need additional help in reading, writing, speaking, or listening comprehension.
After School Tutoring at the Columbia Heights Education Campus
DCSP tutors provide academic support and mentoring at the Columbia Heights Education Campus (CHEC) twice a week. The tutors work with a variety of age groups from middle school through high school youth, with varying English language ability.
Parent Program at Columbia Heights Education Campus
The Parent Program at CHEC is held on Saturdays to accommodate working parents and adults who wish to improve their English language ability. The Saturday class is divided into varying English language abilities, and tailored to allow for as much individual attention as possible, including support for participants interested in taking the citizenship test. Parents are encouraged to bring their children for the youth enrichment component.
On-Campus Program
The on-campus program is open to Georgetown University employees and members of the community who wish to improve their English language skills. Classes are offered throughout the day and later evening hours to enable increased accessibility for adults working non-traditional hours.
1-2-1 In-home Tutoring Program
The 1-2-1 Program is an in-home tutoring program serves the Columbia Heights, Brightwood, Petworth, and Chinatown neighborhoods. Tutees range in age from elementary to high school.
Program-Wide Services and Supports
In addition to classroom support services and tutoring, DC Schools Project also engages families and enriches the learning experience through library visits, field trips, campus celebrations, family literacy events, and connections to other community-based organizations for a variety of other resources.
Campus-based Programming
DCSP holds events with campus and community-based partners during the academic year to broaden the Georgetown University community conversation about immigration reform and literacy disparities among other issues.
Opportunities to Get Involved
Tutors typically commit to tutor two times per week. Varying times are offered. Tutors are matched with individual students or on a small group basis. Each session requires roughly three hours, including van transportation to and from the site. Tutors are matched with individual students or pairs based on the tutor’s preferences and experience, as well as program and community needs. No prior teaching or tutoring experience is required. DC Schools Project provides pre-service training and ongoing support to both new and experienced tutors.
Community Requests for Tutoring Services
DC Schools Project (DCSP) is a program of the Center for Social Justice at Georgetown University. DCSP tutors are undergraduate tutors who are trained on basic English tutoring skills and strategies, and meet with students for tutoring (we call them our “tutees”!) twice a week, in the evenings. Our mission focuses on working with low-income immigrant students, primarily newcomers, to provide free tutoring and support English language development for newcomer im/migrant youth.
Our in-home tutoring program is limited to the following neighborhoods: Columbia Heights, Petworth, and Brightwood.
Our Zoom tutoring program is for neighborhoods outside of our in-person service areas. We ask that if you are a referring community partner, that you support the student with accessing a computer, internet, and getting them on Zoom.
If you have any questions, you can contact us at dcsp@georgetown.edu (new window), or call 202-993-4352. This number is able to receive text messages.
To refer your ELL designated students to our program, please submit your request HERE (new window).
A DC Schools Project team member will follow up with you within 2-3 days of the submission of your request.
Questions about the program can be directed to (202) 687-8868 or dcsp@georgetown.edu.
The DC Schools Project falls under Georgetown University’s Protection of Minors policy.