Community Schools Boost Reading Proficiency in Trenton

Mercer Street Friends Reports Growth in Student Reading Proficiency and Attendance Improvement in Three Trenton Elementary Schools During 2025-2026 School Year

Community Schools Reading Intervention Program cited in overall program success

Mercer Street Friends, a nonprofit serving Mercer County through food, family and education programs, announced significant gains in student reading proficiency through its Reading Intervention Program, part of the organization’s nationally recognized Community Schools Initiative. The program demonstrated strong attendance and measurable academic growth during the 2025–2026 school year, underscoring the impact of High-Impact Tutoring support in three Trenton schools.

Across three Trenton elementary schools – Luis Muñoz-Rivera Elementary, B.C. Gregory Elementary and Cadwalader Elementary – the program served 164 students and maintained an overall attendance rate of 89.66%, reflecting consistent student engagement throughout the school year.

At the start of the school year, just 17% of participating students were reading at grade level. By winter, that figure had risen to 46%, and by spring, 58% of students were reading on grade level. Overall, the number of students reading at grade level increased from 26 students in the fall to 87 students in the spring – a 241% increase.

“The progress our students make each year demonstrates the impact of our Reading Intervention program and the strength of our High-Impact Tutoring model,” said Bernadette Trapp, Director of Community Schools at Mercer Street Friends. “Every increase in reading proficiency represents months of hard work, perseverance and commitment from our students. We are incredibly proud of what they have accomplished and are deeply grateful to our Reading Specialists, whose expertise and encouragement help make these outcomes possible.”

The program is staffed by experienced retired Trenton Public Schools educators who work 18 to 23 hours per week from October through May. Using evidence-based instructional practices and a High-Impact Tutoring model, instructors provide small-group literacy instruction, ongoing progress monitoring and individualized support aimed at accelerating reading growth.

School-level outcomes further highlight the program’s impact:

• B.C. Gregory Elementary School served 76 students and maintained a 90% attendance rate. The percentage of students reading on grade level increased from 31% in the fall to 77% in the spring, a 148% increase.
• Luis Muñoz-Rivera Elementary School served 41 students and maintained a 90% attendance rate. Students reading on grade level increased from 5% in the fall to 78% in the spring, representing a 1,460% increase.
• Cadwalader Elementary School served 47 students and maintained an 89% attendance rate despite beginning services later in the year. The percentage of students reading on grade level increased from 5% in the fall to 17% in the spring, a 240% increase during its inaugural year.

Community Schools are a cornerstone of Mercer Street Friends’ approach, bringing together schools, families and community partners to provide integrated supports and expanded learning opportunities that help students succeed academically, socially, emotionally and physically.

“Reading is more than a foundational skill – it opens doors and creates opportunities for students to succeed not only in the classroom, but throughout their lives,” said Randall West, Chief Executive Officer of Mercer Street Friends. “When we invest in a child’s education, we are investing in the future of our community. These outcomes demonstrate what’s possible when schools, families and community partners work together to ensure every student has the support they need to reach their full potential.”