The Episcopal School of Texas is the recipient of a $1,000 grant from the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) for its Reading Buddies program. Since 2010, TMI has partnered with elementary schools in the San Antonio  and Northside school districts to provide help with reading skills.

TMI mentors in grades 6-8 visit the schools monthly to read with students in first and second grade and to help them with their homework.

During the first year of TMI’s Reading Buddies Program, seventh-graders visit Woodrow Wilson Elementary School to read with second graders.

With funds from the NAES grant. TMI will be able to launch a new program, “Books for Buddies, Reading for Keeps,” to provide at least one early-reader book for each of the younger students, to be given at the last meeting before winter break.

Studies consulted by TMI Librarian Lynn Lada show that having books in the home helps young learners keep up their reading skills and may extend benefits to other children in the family and even to parents who are working to improve their language or reading skills. One of the schools served, Mead Elementary, has many students from refugee families who fled Africa and Latin America and are all  learning English as a second language.

Plans for student-council fundraisers and a community book drive to be held during the 2014-2015 school year may make it possible for the TMI mentors to give the elementary-school students a second book at the end of the school year for summer reading.

Founded in 1893 by the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, TMI is a coeducational college-preparatory school serving students in grades 6-12, with optional military and boarding programs. NAES is a New York City-based membership association that provides support to Episcopal member schools nationwide.