Community Partners
SLPS
The St. Louis Public Schools District is comprised of 72 schools and approximately 25,000 students in the area surrounding SLU's campus. A majority of SLPS students are Black, and about 90% of the students qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch program. 1 in 4 SLPS students is categorized as homeless for at least a portion of the year. The mobility rate in some of these schools is greater than 150% meaning that children are frequently moving to and from different schools.
The Little Bit Foundation
The Little Bit Foundation tutoring program is offered through a partnership with the Saint Louis University and supported by community volunteers that have a love for children and education. The intent of the tutoring program is to help fill in gaps that students may have with reading and/or math fluency. Overground partnered with the Little Bit Foundation in Fall 2020 to offer virtual tutoring services.
The Wesley House Association
Wesley House is a non-profit organization that develops programs that enrich the quality of life for its community. It serves many populations in the Saint Louis community, but Wesley House partnered with Overground for both tutoring and Art Enrichment. Currently, Overground Railroad has about 10 tutors for Art Enrichment and about 15 SLU students that help with Art Enrichment. We began our partnership with Wesley House in Fall 2020, and we look forward to continuing to work with them!
Ames Elementary School
Ames Elementary, located about 15 minutes from SLU’s campus, is a Visual and Performing Arts School that teaches students in dance, music (both band and choir), drawing/painting, and drama, in addition to core subjects. Students range from grades pre-kindergarten through 5th grade, and tutoring specifically includes help with reading and math worksheets and homework. Overground Railroad sends tutors to Ames Elementary on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings and on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Confluence Academy
Confluence provides experiences to the students that require critical thinking, creativity, and empathy. Overground Railroad began tutoring with Confluence in Fall 2020. There are about 30 tutors that are currently tutoring with Confluence students. Tutoring occurs over a virtual platform, but Overground Railroad continues to create relationships with the students, even if that means over Zoom!
Sigel Elementary School
Sigel Elementary, located about 10 minutes from SLU’s campus, aims to create a culture of excellence that inspires students to explore curiously, think rigorously, and act compassionately. Overground Railroad began tutoring with Sigel Elementary in Fall 2020. Overground Railroad has tutored virtually and has worked with Sigel to overcome the difficulties of virtual learning. Currently, Overground has about 40 tutors tutoring with Sigel students.
La Salle Middle School
La Salle, located about 10 minutes from SLU’s campus, is a public Charter School for 6th-8th graders, focusing on mathematics, science, English language arts, and social studies. Tutoring specifically involves assisting students with their homework in both one on one situations and in classroom settings. Overground Railroad sends tutors to De La Salle at different times every day of the school week. In order to tutor at this site, tutors will need to complete a background check and orientation process, coordinated by the school volunteer coordinator, Ms. Halliday, which may delay one’s starting time of tutoring.
Vashon High School
Vashon High School, located about 5 minutes from SLU’s campus, focuses on building leaders in their school and community. Tutoring includes helping high-school students, including athletes, with unfinished homework, including mathematics, government, and more. Overground Railroad sends tutors to Vashon on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Yeatman-Lidell Middle School
Yeatman-Lidell, located about 15 minutes from SLU’s campus, focuses on fostering excellence in academic achievement, leadership, and character in order for the students to successfully complete post-secondary endeavors. Overground Railroad began tutoring with Yeatman-Lidell in the Spring of 2021. Currently, we have about 30 tutors serving this school in a virtual format.
