Learn.

Ensuring all Oakland elementary school students have the support and resources to become proficient readers by the end of third grade.

66%

of 3rd grade students in Oakland entered the 2022-23 school year reading below grade level.

  • We’re in the midst of a major literacy crisis in America. Nationwide, only 1 in 3 kids are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. There is nothing more essential to a child’s opportunities in life than the ability to read well, but in Oakland, 85% of Black and Latino/a elementary students are not reading at third grade reading levels. Children who do not read proficiently by third grade are 4x more likely to not receive a high school diploma than proficient readers.

  • Together with Oakland Unified School District and respected community organizations who have worked to improve these outcomes for years, we are aligned around a common vision to dramatically increase the rates of kindergarten readiness and third grade reading levels.

Eat. Learn. Play. in the Community

Closing the Literacy Gap

Eat. Learn. Play. is raising and investing $25 million over the next five years to bridge the literacy gap in Oakland, including providing one-on-one, professional tutoring for students two or more grade levels behind in reading. Focusing on advancing reading and writing proficiency for Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) students, this will provide approximately 10,000 tutoring spots for elementary school students who are significantly behind in reading, with the support and programs they need to thrive.

Free Book Distribution to Oakland Students 

Eat. Learn. Play. is inspiring a love of reading among our community’s children by providing free access to culturally relevant and age-appropriate books through a variety of channels, including the Eat. Learn. Play. Bus and Little Town Libraries programs, restocking school libraries, hosting free school book fairs in elementary schools, and more.

Community Partners

With partners including Oakland Literacy Coalition, DRK, Literati, FluentSeeds, Oakland REACH, Reading Partners, Springboard Collaborative and Oakland Public Library, Black Cultural Zone.  Eat. Learn. Play. is uniquely positioned to convene and amplify a collective effort in Oakland to support stronger reading outcomes for its kids.

Partner With Us

Join us by donating to ensure kids have a happy, healthy, and successful childhood.