Whiz Kids

“If you don’t know how to read by the end of fourth grade, the state is building you a prison cell.”
– Dr. O’dell Owens, President, Cincinnati State

About Us

Whiz Kids is a literacy-based, one-to-one tutoring and mentoring program. The program reaches 1,200 at-risk youth in 54 tutoring sites throughout Greater Cincinnati. Whiz Kids partners with more than 75 local churches and 60 public elementary schools, reaching at-risk youth from Over-the-Rhine and Madisonville to West Chester and Milford to Florence, Ky., and Middletown.

How it Works

A local church or organization embraces a neighborhood public elementary school, develops relationships with school administrators and teachers and provides trained and screened volunteer leaders and tutors to launch and maintain a tutoring site.

Time Committment

Just one hour a week! Tutoring sessions typically occur for one hour each week during the school year. Once a tutor has spent at least six months working with a Whiz Kids student, the volunteer is eligible to become a Whiz Kids Mentor.

Whiz Kids Locations

View Whiz Kids Locations in a larger map.