Peer Tutoring Program Gets High Marks

Last year, 35 students completed the after-school program. By the end of the year, all but three of them had substantially improved their grades and grade-point averages. Of the 30 students who took the Virginia Standards of Learning tests, 28 passed, even with their limited English. All 10 seniors graduated, six went on to college, and no one dropped out.

This year, of 51 students in the program, only four have a C average or below. Twelve of the students raised their grades enough to be able to participate in sports. T.C. Williams requires all athletes to maintain at least a C average.

"We were astounded that something as trivial as homework help could have such an impact," said Margaret Lorber, a parent liaison with the school district and a Bienvenidos board member. "But once the students can do the homework, they can pass the tests. Their grades just skyrocketed."

Beyond academics, however, the program works to ease the confusion and fear of being a newcomer to a strange school in a strange country and trying to learn a strange language.

"Finally, we have a program that works keeping kids in school," Lorber said "Now, there's a reason for them to stay. Not only are the expectations high, but these students now have a community here."

Krishna Leyva, 32, not only directs the program for Bienvenidos, but she is its heart and soul, supporters say. She's tough: Attendance is mandatory, and students must sign waivers to give her access to their records so she always has a handle on what's going on. But she clearly loves the students, and they respond in kind.

She says the students come to think of one another as family, and she jokingly refers to some of them as her adopted children. She listens to their problems, gives them rides home and helps them fill out college and financial aid applications. She's the kind of counselor who doesn't scold them when they mess up, but instead takes them out to lunch to find out what's wrong.

"Some of the kids I've seen, they may not have good relationships with their parents, or their parents are too busy and there's no supervision," she said. "When I have them here, they're all like family. They have a place to belong."

Students in the program come to the library twice a week for tutoring, and then spend two other days learning karate and studying Japanese culture.

And the honor students who tutor have gained some perspective on the challenges facing most new immigrants.

"My mom came to this country when she was 2. Her parents spoke Spanish. My mom and her sister went through school by themselves. There was no one to help," said senior Gabriella Espitalier-Noel, liaison to the program for the honor society. "I want to help."

The academic assistance and social support helped raise 16-year-old Danielle Lauchu's GPA from 2.5 to 3.27. "When I came two years ago, I was so lost," the Panamanian native said. "Now, I'm in all regular English classes. I passed all my English as a Second Language levels in one year. I'm looking forward to taking Advanced Placement classes."