LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fayette County Public Schools has renewed its partnership with Springboard Collaborative to offer a free summer literacy program for elementary students, with 75 students enrolled in the July initiative at Millcreek Elementary.

The four-week program, offered through the district's Department of Family and Community Engagement, targets students in kindergarten through fifth grade and combines direct reading instruction with workshops designed to equip families with strategies to support literacy development at home. Springboard's model emphasizes that families are children's first and most influential teachers.

"Literacy is one of the greatest gifts we can give a child, and families are our most important partners in making that possible," said Sharon Mofield-Boswell, director of FACE. "Springboard is about more than improving reading skills. It's about building the confidence of families, strengthening the partnership between home and school, and ensuring every child has the support they need to thrive."

Students attend morning reading lessons while families and caregivers participate in Thursday workshops focused on practical strategies to encourage reading at home. The program aligns with the district's Portrait of a Graduate framework, which emphasizes developing lifelong learners.

Research shows the program delivers measurable results: an externally-advised study found that 80 percent of Springboard students made significant gains in literacy outcomes, with 11 percent advancing from reading below grade level to at or above grade level. The program represents the district's broader commitment to closing achievement gaps by strengthening collaboration between educators and families, extending learning beyond the classroom walls into homes across Lexington.