Literacy for Dominican-Haitian Youth in the Batey

2024–2025 School Year Recap

We are excited to share the results of our 2024–2025 school year. On September 9, 2024, our learning centers opened their doors to nearly 100 returning and new students. Our preschool welcomed three student groups: two younger cohorts focused on Montessori methods and one older group of emerging readers. At the same time, our Learning Center program for older students was organized into four targeted literacy groups: Phonics, New Readers, Reading Tutoring, and Reading & Grammar.

In our Montessori classrooms, students explored a range of topics including sensory learning, phonics, vocabulary, and everyday life skills. They practiced daily routines such as handwashing and putting on their uniforms, and learned vocabulary related to animals, shapes, and professions. Using a variety of hands-on materials, children developed creativity, fine motor skills, and practical life abilities.

Meanwhile, students ages 7–12 participated in dynamic literacy programming through both our afterschool Learning Center and our interventions in the public school of Batey Libertad. Each day of the week focused on a different literacy strategy to strengthen reading, writing, and speaking skills. Our dedicated teaching staff ensured learning was engaging and fun by using interactive tools such as Kahoot, Word Jenga, vocabulary bingo, and charades. Weekly Horas de Lectura with our Princeton in Latin America Fellows, Eliza and Katie, provided additional reading enrichment. Peer reading exchanges between younger and older students also helped foster collaboration and confidence.

Student Evaluations

• In the Montessori program, 4 students earned perfect scores, and 19 scored between 90–100.
  
  
• In Class 1A, 10 of 14 students progressed from non-readers to levels AA–E.
  
  
• In the Phonics class, 6 of 8 non-readers advanced to early reading levels (AA–B).
  
  
• In the Early Reading class, all students progressed from AA–A to AA–E.
  
  
• The Tutoring group improved from an average level of A–D to D–F.
  
  
• The Reading & Grammar group moved from levels D–G to F–I.
  
  

Each year, we are inspired by the academic progress we witness—made possible by the dedication of our educators, the effort of our students, and the support of our donors and community. It is especially heartening to see our youngest learners—who may begin the year speaking only a few words of Spanish—grow into confident students capable of asking questions and holding conversations with their teachers.

Most importantly, our students enjoyed the school year. Motivation remained high thanks to reward systems like stickers, class celebrations for excellent attendance, and Student of the Month awards. We look forward to building on this momentum next year and continuing to nurture a love of learning in every child.

 We continue to see significant improvements in our students' reading levels at the Yspaniola Learning Center. This is due in part to creative strategies employed by our teaching staff aimed at harnessing student engagement and active participation in their educational journey. One recent strategy to encourage student enthusiasm for reading is a reading exchange between our Learning Center and Preschool students, called ¨Hop on the Reading Train." Students in our preschool are between the ages of 3 to 5 and in our Learning Center between 7 to 13, so they are at very different levels in their reading journey. 

We began implementing ¨Hop on the Reading Train¨ in spring 2024 and are excited to see how enthusiastic students feel about this exchange! The goal is to motivate our students who are learning to read, to get on the reading train! 

Every Friday, a student from the learning center visits our preschool class 1A and conducts an hour of reading with younger students. This exchange positively impacts all students involved, benefiting both the listener and reader. The older students who serve as readers develop their skills in fluency, stage management, reading comprehension, and leadership. Younger students develop an enthusiasm for reading, experience a positive mentor, and develop reading skills. 

Thanks to this initiative, we have seen preschool students become new readers. In September of last year, our preschool 1A class began with 14 children who were not yet readers. In January, when we administered tests to determine reading levels, we learned that we had 4 new readers! Students' effort, dedication, and the teachers' strategies have contributed to this exciting achievement. 

Our commitment to education is a wonderful adventure, just like hopping on the reading train!