History

In 1996, the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) launched the “Primary Initiative” program with the goal that all students would be able to read and do math at grade level by the end of second grade. When the Rev. Gary Charles, then pastor of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, heard about the Primary Initiative, he joined with Dr. Herbert Berg, then superintendent of ACPS, and Judge Steve Rideout, then Chief Judge of the Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, to start the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium, a program that united local faith communities and elementary school principals, teachers, and reading specialists with the objective of providing reading tutors to first and second grade students in the public schools.

For many years, ATC has expanded our recruiting base beyond the original member congregations in order to meet the growing need for tutors. We welcome all interested community members to join us as volunteers.

In 2006 ATC incorporated and received tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status. As a result we are now able to receive tax-deductible donations.