Forward Scholars Volunteer Tutoring: A Common Ground Initiative

03/27/2026

In honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate our founding staff members: Lynnae Ortiz, MacKenzie Menefee, and Melody Ratney.

From day one, they had the courage to follow a vision that every child deserves the opportunity to become a confident and proficient reader.

Thanks to their dedication and heart, Forward Scholars has created a community where tutors are valued and students can thrive. We are so grateful for the courage, passion, and commitment they have brought to our organization. 📚

Learn more at: ForwardScholars.org

03/18/2026

📚 March is National Reading Month!

Did you know that students who are reading on grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely to graduate high school?

At Forward Scholars, we are empowering every student to reach that milestone through personalized, one-on-one reading tutoring.

This month, we celebrate not just reading progress, but the growth we see beyond academics, in their perseverance when faced with challenges and their confidence and self-perception as capable readers. Every page they read, at school or at home, brings them closer to long-term success.

Join us at ForwardScholars.org

03/13/2026

Today, in honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate our Executive Director, Dr. Carrie Streiff-Stuessy, and the visionary leadership she brings to Forward Scholars.

As the founding ED, Carrie has collaborated with community members and dedicated staff to build the organization and its programs from the ground up. Since 2022, Forward Scholars has grown from serving students at 5 schools to 10 partner schools in 2026, supporting over 1,000 students and maintaining an average of two years of reading growth. Under her leadership, the staff has expanded from 4 to 12, successfully navigating the challenges of a startup while ensuring high-quality access to reading tutoring for students that need it the most.

Learn more at ForwardScholars.org

03/10/2026

Our Mid-Year Results Are In!

After just four months of tutoring, the average student is already showing a full year of growth in reading accuracy and fluency.

You can help us finish the year strong—join us as a tutor today!

Forwardscholars.org

02/04/2026

Last month, we hosted Tutor Connects to thank and connect with our incredible tutor teams. Every team has its own energy, but what they all share is a deep commitment to showing up for kids. We’re so grateful for this amazing community supporting our work. 🎉📚💛

Haven’t signed up yet? There’s still time to join us and be part of this meaningful work.

Visit us at www.forwardscholars.org/become-a-tutor to learn more.

01/23/2026

💥 DOUBLE your impact this January!

Every dollar is matched up to $50,000. Your gift goes twice as far!

👉 forwardscholars.org/donate

01/13/2026

More exciting news for Forward Scholars! 🎉

We’re so proud to be featured in WUWM’s series Turning the Page: Teaching Milwaukee to Read.

Huge thank you to Katherine Kokal for telling the story of our tutors and students working together to advance reading success, build confidence, and spark a lifelong love of reading.

We’re grateful for the spotlight on this critical work and for sharing what’s possible when the community shows up for kids. 📚💛

Check out the story here:

As Milwaukee addresses its literacy struggles, one-on-one tutoring is showing promise at improving students' ability to read.

01/06/2026

We are incredibly proud that Alan Borsuk recognized Forward Scholars as a positive educational force in Milwaukee in 2025. 📚❤️

Community in action together makes for real impact. Join us in 2026!

forwardscholars.org

You can read the full story here: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/education/2025/12/26/positives-in-milwaukee-education-in-2025/87701947007/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWWpzZmRrZDJubTRvWXk4SHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5NnlNL5Z_DLMzaX08jCZCtpQj42H6cxHWJPSa9VbuAZRGqx_oZVgcb8ewVYA_aem_Jh-JPXTz5VmfiIAGsfBh7g

There's plenty to be concerned about in education. But a look back at 2025 also reveals some positives.

12/16/2025

📚 In Milwaukee, thousands of students are not yet reading at grade level. That’s why Forward Scholars works with schools to provide one-on-one reading support through committed, caring volunteers. On average, our students achieve two years of reading progress in less than a year of tutoring.

💡 Learn more or get involved: ForwardScholars.org

Donate Now and Support Young Readers in our High Impact Program!

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/education/2025/12/10/thousands-of-wisconsin-students-score-in-bottom-quarter-on-reading-tests/87684510007

New data show over half of Milwaukee Public Schools 4K-3rd graders scored below the 25th percentile on reading, compared with over a third statewide.

11/18/2025

Join our executive director, Dr. Carrie Streiff-Stuessy, for a conversation on real solutions to strengthen reading and success for our students.

“I'm thrilled that reading is finally taking center stage—conversations like this can help to drive real change.” — Dr. Carrie Streiff-Stuessy

Hope to see you there!

Join Marquette Law School and the Marquette College of Education on December 2 as we continue to explore student achievement, with a focus on reading efforts, in a program led by Alan Borsuk, senior fellow in law and public policy.

We will examine the current state of reading and literacy education in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin. In light of Act 20 (a state law enacted in 2023), the new Milwaukee Public Schools reading plan, the nationwide surge of "science of reading" laws and initiatives, and the launch of the Milwaukee Reading Coalition, the topic is not just timely but urgent. Joining us for a conversation at the Law School are some of Wisconsin’s leading figures in this field, including:

The program will begin at 12:15 p.m. in Eckstein Hall. It is free and open to the public; however, registration is required.

https://law.marquette.edu/2025-12-02/power-reading-transforming-student-achievement-through-literacy

11/11/2025

A huge thank you to the Herb Kohl Philanthropies & Herb Kohl Educational Foundation for donating Milwaukee Bucks tickets to our staff! 🏀

Our team had an amazing time at the game; it was such a fun opportunity for team building. We’re grateful for the support and experiences that bring our team—and our community—together!

11/07/2025

We loved welcoming Alderperson Pratt in to see our work & partnership at Barbee Montessori this week! 🎉

As a former MPS educator, she felt right at home visiting our Learning Lab and connecting with our students and their dedicated tutors.

Huge thanks to Principal Loss and our site coordinator, MacKenzie Menefee, for hosting such a great visit and sharing about the impact we’re making together for kids.

We’re excited to keep partnering to support District 1 and the Milwaukee community! 💙📚

Join us today: www.forwardscholars.org