Across our centers, we are building a culture of literacy that not only helps girls catch up academically, but also fall in love with learning.

For many students, literacy remains an uphill climb. According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 30 percent of eighth-grade students performed at or above the NAEP Proficient level on the reading assessment. For girls from low-income households, these challenges are often compounded by limited access to books, early childhood learning gaps, and reduced academic support. Research from Stanford University highlights that this achievement gap starts early and widens over time.

To close these gaps, research shows that family engagement is critical. According to the National Education Association, students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds perform better when families are involved—they attend school more regularly, earn higher grades, and develop stronger literacy skills. At Pace, we engage families as active partners in their girl’s learning, encouraging them to participate in events, share in their successes, and help cultivate a love of reading at home.

To inspire genuine excitement about reading, Pace centers across the state have hosted hands-on, creative literacy activities that make reading social, expressive, and fun. Through these experiences, girls explore new genres, connect with peers, and see reading in a whole new light:

  • Book Cover Design Challenge – Girls reimagined the covers of their favorite books, combining art, storytelling, and critical thinking.
  • Secret Book Club – A surprise exchange of personally selected books that sparked meaningful conversations and unexpected connections.
  • Book Tasting – A classroom transformed into a literary café, where girls sampled different genres and authors.
  • Poetry Slam – An outlet for creative writing and performance, giving girls a powerful platform to share their voices.
  • Literary Tea Party – A celebration of books, complete with costumes, readings, and community bonding.

The results were powerful—not just academically, but emotionally and socially. As one girl shared, “When we started reading, I realized the book changed me. Only because I never read, and this book made me want to read more books like it.”

Another girl reflected on how reading opened her up to new perspectives: “Reading together helped me see other things my Pace sisters had been through.”

And for many, these events sparked new interests: “I got free books that I wouldn’t have read before.”

Using IXL to Personalize Learning and Track Progress

Pace implemented IXL, a personalized diagnostic and instructional platform for students in grades 6–12. This strategic investment reflects our commitment to closing academic gaps through individualized, data-informed instruction.

With IXL, educators can:

  • Assess each girl’s reading level across comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and writing mechanics using Adaptive Diagnostics
  • Track progress in real time and adjust instruction using Real-Time Progress Monitoring
  • Deliver targeted learning through Skill-Specific Recommendations
  • Encourage self-confidence and motivation with tools that promote Student Ownership

We are grateful to the Jacarlene Foundation for their generous support and investment in reading at Pace. Their partnership has helped us expand access to literacy resources, create meaningful learning experiences, and fuel a love of reading in the lives of girls.