This year, Greeley-Evans School District 6 is welcoming nine AmeriCorps tutors, sponsored by United Way, to provide targeted reading support to students who need it most. What began in 2018–19 as a new opportunity for District 6 students through Reading Corps has grown into a collaborative effort benefiting students across Weld County, also serving Windsor/Severance RE-4, Johnstown/Milliken RE-5, and Fort Lupton RE-8—with at least two years of service in each.
These Reading Corps tutors, working in partnership with Colorado Youth for a Change, focus on specific gap areas identified through assessments and deliver daily, personalized instruction designed to close learning gaps and strengthen literacy skills.
Using a proven curriculum grounded in the science of reading, tutors provide one-on-one support that builds student confidence and accelerates progress. The program’s expansion over the years has been made possible through the generosity of United Way donors, who have invested more than $700,000—including $150,000 from The Weld Trust—to ensure students receive the individualized help they need. The goal is simple: to ensure every student has the literacy foundation necessary for success in college and career endeavors.
In addition to targeted support from Reading Corps, all District 6 schools are committed to a strong core literacy program for every student. Elementary students receive two full hours of reading instruction each day, covering phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Students also engage in rich reading experiences within science and social studies, giving them opportunities to apply reading strategies while building knowledge across subjects. By integrating reading into multiple content areas, District 6 helps students strengthen their skills while also expanding their understanding of the world.
The impact of these efforts is clear. Over the past several years, District 6 has seen a steady increase in reading proficiency, with more students meeting or exceeding state benchmarks and achievement gaps narrowing. These gains are the result of intentional district-wide efforts—combining high-quality classroom instruction, strategic partnerships, and targeted interventions such as those provided by Reading Corps and Math Corps, which was added in 2021–22 as part of the Colorado Tutoring Corps.
This focus on literacy is part of a bigger vision for student success. Test scores are trending upward, demonstrating that the combination of strong core instruction, targeted supports, and enriched learning opportunities is making a difference. Rising graduation rates show that more students are finishing strong, and the growing number of AP Scholars highlights the district’s culture of academic challenge and achievement.
Concurrent enrollment opportunities have also expanded, allowing students to earn college credit while still in high school—saving families money and helping students transition smoothly to higher education.
By leveraging the combined efforts of District 6 educators, United Way, The Weld Trust, Colorado Youth for a Change, and community donors, the district is creating a system where every student can thrive. Together, these efforts in literacy and learning ensure that District 6 students are prepared to graduate ready for college and career paths.
Anthony Asmus is on the Board of Directors at United Way of Weld County and the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Leadership at Greeley-Evans School District 6.
