Literacy Resources in Westchester County, NY

Find literacy and reading resources in Westchester County, NY, including children’s reading enrichment programs and volunteer opportunities for teens and adults.

Center for Literacy at Pace University

White Plains

(914) 422-4135

Teach schoolchildren of all ages (K-12) to learn to read, write, and create with the help of historical figures (such as the authors of the Constitution or William Shakespeare). These after-school, Saturday, and summer programs allow children to go beyond basic literacy skills to increase knowledge of their society, culture, and world. To schedule a meeting, contact Sister St. John.

Literacy Volunteers of Westchester County

Libraries throughout Westchester County

(914) 375-7964

This group invites you to train as a literacy volunteer and enhance the reading and writing skills of undereducated and foreign-born adults. Tutors commit to a full year (1-2 hours per week, 75-100 hours total) of one-on-one work with students at one of 38 libraries in the county. Jumpstart your 18 hours of tutor training by calling and adding your name to the volunteer mailing list.

Literacy Center at Mount Vernon Library

Mount Vernon

(914) 668-1840, x. 238

Trained tutors meet with students one-on-one or in small groups to improve the literacy skills of the more than 50,000 adults in Westchester County who struggle with writing, reading, and/or speaking English. For more information, call Nancy Fitch on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from noon to 4pm.

RIF: Reading Is Fundamental

Mamaroneck, Peekskill, White Plains

Reading Is Fundamental serves children through a national network of volunteer coordinators and literacy programs in nearly 19,000 locations across the U.S., including Peekskill (Teen Travel Camp, Kiley Youth Center, Creative Arts Camp, Peekskill Field Library, and other locations in the city), Mamaroneck (Mamaroneck Public Library), and White Plains (Westchester County Court House, Lee F. Jackson School). Last year, in New York state alone, 328,935 children selected 1,159,279 books to keep as their own. Visit the website to learn about volunteering, donating, or advocating with Congress to maintain funding beyond the current temporary funding resolution set to expire on March 4.

Rye Free Reading Room

Rye

(914) 231-3166

A variety of programs for reading enthusiasts of all ages, from teen reading groups to English as a Second Language programs for adults and storytelling for youngsters. Assist the library that works to initiate and participate in literacy programs such as “Read for the Record,” where country-wide participants enjoy the same book on the same day. For more information, call Maria Lagonia.

Also see: How to Help Your Child Be a Confident Reader

Resources: Our Education Resource Guide for the New York metro area

Our Online Calendar, for storytelling events and more in Rockland County and the New York metro area

Speyer School

Process over product. Empathy and analysis over memorized facts. These are what we emphasize at Speyer. Speyer was founded to provide an environment specifically designed for gifted students to foster their natural talents, to build a strong educational foundation through differentiated instruction, and to provide a limitless ceiling for growth and exploration.&nbsp; Yes, Speyer is a school for gifted learners &mdash; however the word "gifted" is not the most important part of that statement. Our focus is on the word "learners." We are passionate about challenging our students every day in their insatiable quest for learning and help them discover who they are as people.&nbsp; Speyer students cover more than geometry, chemistry, and history &mdash; they also learn how to collaborate, listen, and be a friend. Because of our intentional K-8 model, Speyer graduates attend and thrive at the top high schools in NYC and across the country and we send them there braver, kinder, and more prepared for the opportunities that lie ahead.&nbsp; Unlock your child's potential at Speyer, the only independent school in NYC designed for gifted learners. Speyer&rsquo;s main Admissions entry points are Kindergarten, Fifth Grade, and Sixth Grade, though we review applications for all grades (space permitting).

The Vincent Smith School

Vincent Smith School is a non-profit, coed, independent school for grades 1-12 that serves students from Nassau, Suffolk, and NYC since 1924. The school is most known for its small classes, supportive staff, and individualized programs for students with learning differences such as Dyslexia/Dyscalculia/Dysgraphia, as well as school anxiety, school reluctance, or ADHD.&nbsp; We emphasize academic, college-prep success through differentiated instruction and on-site services as needed for reading, speech, or OT in dedicated classrooms. VSS offers rolling admissions throughout the year at our scenic Port Washington campus. &nbsp;

C'E Montessori

C'E Montessori is an independent, coeducational Spanish/English dual-language Montessori school for Toddlers through Fourth Grade. &nbsp;The school's philosophy is an evolved take on the Montessori method, and they provide an advanced curriculum that is adapted to the needs of children in NYC today.&nbsp;C'E Montessori is a vibrant community of parents, teachers and children. C'E defines its vision and staff as&nbsp;Modern Montessori Purists&nbsp;- Traditional Montessori in the classroom for their students, transparent accountability and metrics online for their staff and parents. &nbsp;C'E Montessori enrolls children for its three different school programs. Toddlers, Primary and Lower Elementary. Children applying for our Toddler program must be two years old upon enrollment, our Primary (3-6), Lower Elementary (1st-3rd grade), and Upper Elementary (4th-6th grade) programs are mixed aged classrooms.&nbsp; Visit the website for information on virtual tours and admissions information as well as summer camp details.