We believe in our Students.
Building Strong Foundations for Lifelong Learning
ERCP Academic Programs include 4 days per week of After School Tutoring and a 5-Week full immersion Summer Program. Both programs ensure every student receives the individualized support they need to grow with confidence. Through structured tutoring, literacy development, and targeted math and writing instruction, students build mastery at their own pace while developing the study habits, focus, and resilience required for long-term academic success. Our team works closely with families to reinforce learning at home and create a consistent environment of encouragement.
After School & Summer Program Components:
Tutoring, Prompts, and Exercises in English Language Arts and Math
Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary Building, and Writing Enrichment
Homework Support and Guided Individualized and Group Learning
Academic Programs
"Knowledge emerges only through the continuing, hopeful inquiry human beings pursue in the world, with the world, and with each other.”
-Paulo Freire
14:1
Student Ratio
98%
Tutor Retention Rate
142
Students Served
Student Spotlight
The individualized attention she received made all the difference. Tutors took time to explain assignments in ways that clicked for her. “They made me believe I could actually do the work,” she said. By the end of her first summer program, Ariana walked into junior year with her head held high. She went on to earn Honor Roll throughout both her junior and senior years.
ERCP was also instrumental in preparing her for the next chapter. The after-school program helped her draft her college essays, study for the SAT, and navigate the application process—support that helped her gain admission to Rhode Island College, where she is now a freshman studying Medical Imaging.
One of Ariana’s favorite ERCP memories is visiting the Rhode Island Courthouse and participating in a mock trial. Debating real cases alongside her peers was a turning point. “That experience helped me overcome my fear of public speaking,” she said. “It made me realize I could express myself clearly and confidently.”
Today, Ariana considers ERCP family. “They changed my life,” she said. “I’ll always support them however I can. And if any student needs help or feels lost, I tell them—join ERCP. It can open doors you don’t even know exist.”
Ariana Almeida
When Ariana Almeida thinks back to her first days at the Excel and Ready Community Program, she remembers feeling unsure. At 16, she worried she might be too old to join a program where most students were younger. But with encouragement from her sister, she took a chance—one she now calls “life-changing.”
Ariana immigrated to the United States from Portugal in 2018. Although she had taken a few English classes before arriving, the transition was overwhelming. “I could read some English, but speaking and writing in school was a completely different challenge,” she shared. ERCP quickly became the support she needed. Through reading and language tutoring, and simply being surrounded by other students, Ariana began to accelerate her English proficiency. “Talking with the tutors and other kids helped me come out of my shell and feel confident.”
Before joining ERCP, Ariana struggled academically. She felt unmotivated, disconnected from school, and unsure of her abilities. But everything shifted once she entered the program. “When I met the kids, the tutors, the staff…I felt like I had a community,” she said. Because so many students were Cape Verdean like her, ERCP felt like “a home away from home”—a place where she felt safe, understood, and supported.
Tutor Spotlight
When Hannah Mitchell joined ERCP as a tutor in the summer of 2024, she thought it would simply be a continuation of something she already loved—helping students learn. She had tutored throughout college and found joy in guiding young people through academic challenges. But what she didn’t expect was how deeply she would connect with ERCP’s mission and how much the community would impact her in return.
“I didn’t know much about the program when I first started,” she admitted. “But as I became more involved, I saw how ERCP was growing and how much intention was behind everything they do.” What kept her coming back wasn’t just the academics—it was the relationships.
For Hannah, the most rewarding part of tutoring has been getting to know students beyond their schoolwork. She believes that trust and comfort are essential to learning. “A tutor’s responsibility isn’t just to teach,” she explained. “It’s to create a space where students feel comfortable asking questions and seeking help.” Whether she’s reviewing vocabulary or simply asking a student about their weekend, those moments of connection build the foundation for growth.
Hannah Mitchell
And that growth has been unmistakable. Hannah has watched students who once struggled to read simple words begin pronouncing multisyllabic ones with confidence. She’s seen them spell, identify rhymes, and apply foundational skills to more complex topics. “Their progress is real and measurable,” she said. “And it’s incredible to witness.”
Hannah’s commitment to education runs deep. Raised by a single mother who worked as a special education teacher for her entire career, she grew up understanding the power of support and community. ERCP, she says, embodies both. “The students know each other, and that sense of community makes them feel comfortable. It helps them learn.”
Some moments stand out vividly—like seeing a student’s face light up when a concept finally clicks. Or the holiday celebration where students received gifts and applauded one another’s achievements, from improved grades to college acceptances. “That day showed me that ERCP is more than academic support,” she said. “It’s a program where the founders truly care for the kids and their families.”
When asked what ERCP brings to the community, Hannah doesn’t hesitate: “Access. Opportunity. And a place where students can feel supported and connected.”
For Hannah, being part of ERCP isn’t just tutoring—it's joining a community committed to lifting one another up.
Think Your Child Could Benefit From Our Programs?
Our programs are subsidized by grants and donor contributions. This means we are able to offer affordable and quality academic support for parents and families.