DC Schools Project
History
DC Schools Project (DCSP) is a social justice education, tutoring, and advocacy program that engages Georgetown students in community-based work as volunteer and Federal Work Study (FWS)-funded tutors to provide English language tutoring and support for low-income immigrant families 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 of youth to improve academic engagement of youth, and adults’ ability to self-determine and fully participate in the cultural, civic, educational, and economic life in US society. Student coordinators lead DCSP through which Georgetown student tutors have weekly commitments to one of its eight programs each semester.
Our Model
Each semester about 60 tutors serve approximately 100 public and charter school students, their families, and members of the im/migrant communities throughout DC at schools, in tutees’ homes, on campus at Georgetown, and at community-based locations.
School-based Programs
DCSP tutors provide after school tutoring and English language scaffolding support at two elementary schools in the Downtown and Trinidad neighborhoods. Tutors work with students from low-income immigrant families who need English language scaffolding and support in English reading, writing, speaking, or listening comprehension. DCSP tutors provide English scaffolding support and mentoring at Thomson Elementary School and Langley Elementary School twice a week. The tutors work primarily with elementary and middle school youth, focusing on working with newcomer English language learners (ELLs).
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-to-1 In-home Tutoring Program
The 1-to-1 Program is an in-home tutoring program serving the Columbia Heights, Brightwood, Petworth and Northeast DC neighborhoods. Tutees range in age from elementary to high school.
Opportunities to Get Involved
Tutoring
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.
Advocacy
Tutors can also join DCSP’s advocacy work through the Immigrant Justice Initiatives Advocacy Team’s work, as well as the DCSP Tutor Committee.
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.
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.
- To refer your ELL-designated students to our program, submit your request here .
You can contact us at dcsp@georgetown.edu , or call (202) 993-4352. This number is able to receive text messages. A DC Schools Project team member will follow up with you within 2-3 days of the submission of your request.
The DC Schools Project falls under Georgetown University’s Protection of Minors policy.