Maplewood Elementary and Varsity Tutors: A Partnership Driving Student Growth in Reading

This past school year, Maple Valley School District’s Maplewood Elementary School embarked on a bold initiative to strengthen literacy for its upper elementary students. Partnering with Varsity Tutors for Schools, the district launched a six-month program aimed at boosting reading outcomes for fourth and fifth graders. The results were impressive: significant academic growth, increased student engagement, and a foundation for expanded collaboration in the year ahead.

Building the Program

Under the leadership of Principal Trent Harvey and with the day-to-day guidance of Kathy Hansbarger, paraprofessional and program lead, the school brought together approximately 40 students in grades K–5, with a special emphasis on fourth and fifth grade learners. Supported by Lindsey Rogien and Paul Getzen from Varsity Tutors for Schools, the program paired students with experienced tutors in small group settings to focus on English Language Arts (ELA) skills.

The district’s Director of Learning set an ambitious goal: at least a 5% increase in student RIT scores. At the same time, Varsity Tutors provided ongoing assessments to measure growth throughout the program.

Academic and Engagement Gains

By the end of the term, students demonstrated 12% growth on Varsity Tutors’ assessments. Even more exciting, average RIT scores climbed 7–9%, surpassing the district’s original benchmark. These results reflect not just gains in reading comprehension, but also the power of consistent, personalized learning.

Principal Trent Harvey shared: “Varsity Tutors has been a wonderful addition to our school community. The program effectively meets the individual learning needs of each student who participates. I’ve also seen the impact personally — my daughter’s NWEA score increased by 18 points after joining the program.” 

Student engagement also told a powerful story. Many learners who had previously struggled with motivation began to view tutoring sessions as a highlight of their week. Hansbarger, affectionately known by students as “Grandma Kathy,” shared a memorable moment:

“Hunter told me that it was the best session he has had so far in tutoring. Hunter is a really good kid but he doesn’t love school. The fact that he got done with his session and immediately told me it was his best session ever is huge!”

Looking Ahead

Encouraged by these successes, Maple Valley has chosen to integrate Varsity Tutors into its fall semester planning and daily instruction. By embedding tutoring more directly into classroom learning, the district hopes to deepen engagement and continue driving measurable growth in literacy.

For Maplewood Elementary, the partnership has become more than an academic intervention. It represents a model of how schools and external partners can work together to reimagine learning—helping students not only master essential skills but also discover joy in the process.

As the program expands, the school community looks forward to celebrating even more student breakthroughs.