Volunteer Program

Many RCSD students live in uncertainty and poverty

Our ​volunteers can be counted among the reliable and engaged adults in the lives of students in Ravenswood City School District, located in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park. For over 11 years, All Students Matter's trained volunteers have been inspiring elementary school students to improve their academic performance. We are unique because we support elementary school students by placing volunteers in their classrooms each week throughout the school year at no cost to the school district. We select passionate and dedicated volunteers who consistently support the same teacher, on average, for three school years. 

The Work We Do

All Students Matter is focused on elementary school students in the Ravenswood district. Close to 200 volunteers support 62 teachers and 1,500 students each week for the entire school year.

• We support TK through 5th grades in five elementary schools
• Volunteers commit to a specific classroom
• Work is done in small groups or one-on-one
• We implement district and teacher curriculum
• Volunteers are trained to build students’ literacy skills and social/emotional skills

The Community We Serve

Ravenswood schools are located in the heart of Silicon Valley and are surrounded by some of the finest public schools in the United States. However, the Ravenswood City School District’s latest statistics tell a different story about the communities in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park:

• About 89% Low Income
• About 65% English Language Learners
• Over 80% Reading Below Grade Level
• Nearly 90% Math Skills Below Grade Level

• ​​Over 40% Homeless or lack control over their housing

Sources: Ravenswood City School District, caaspp.cde.ca.gov

Our Impact

All Students Matter has consistently provided reliable, trained volunteers for the last eleven years. Our success is measured by the improved reading scores as well as the touching handwritten thank you notes from the students and teachers.
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​We make a positive impact as shown in our annual teacher survey results. Our most recent teacher survey shows:

• 100% said ASM volunteers improved the students’ academic skills 
• 100% said ASM volunteers improved the students’ self confidence