On Tuesday afternoons, classrooms at Our Mother of Consolation (OMC) come alive with the sounds of learning, laughter, and collaboration as student volunteers from Mount Saint Joseph Academy gather to tutor younger students in need of help.
The tutoring program, co-led by Charlotte Cole ‘27 and Lucia Mascaro ‘27 and moderated by Mr. Jonathan Fabrey, brings high school students to OMC each week from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.
At each session, tutors work one-on-one or in small groups with students in grades 1 through 8, helping with homework, reviewing difficult topics, and building understanding across subjects like math, reading, science, and writing while creating a supportive learning environment.
According to co-leader Lucia Mascaro “We wanted to create a space where students feel comfortable asking for help and can build confidence in their abilities.”
In addition to academics, the program also focuses on building relationships. Tutors get to know the students they work with each week, creating a sense of familiarity that makes learning easier. These connections are also meaningful for the tutors, as they see the work they do pay off when each student improves over the course of a few weeks.
To keep students engaged, tutors sometimes incorporate games or interactive activities, especially after finishing homework.
Cece Freimuth ‘28, a student tutor, says, “My favorite activity to do with them is hangman. It helps them with spelling while still having a fun time after homework is done.”
“The kids always look forward to coming each week, which makes it even more fun for us as tutors,” Freimuth added.
These activities not only make the sessions more enjoyable, but also help students associate learning with a positive experience.
“It’s really rewarding to see a student go from being confused to feeling confident,” said co-leader Lucia Mascaro. “You can actually see their progress over time.”
As a result, for the younger students, the impact of the program is clear. Having extra supportafter school allows them to ask questions they may not have had time to ask during class and get individualized attention.
For many of the tutors, the experience is just as meaningful as it is for the student they help.
“I really enjoy being able to connect with the students and see their growth over time,” said Lila Gregorio ‘27.
Looking ahead, as the tutoring program continues to grow, its leaders hope to expand their reach and involve even more volunteers. With each Tuesday session, they are not only helping students succeed academically but also building meaningful relationships within the community.
