Middle School Leaders Are Transforming Early Literacy for Phoenix’s Youngest Students

September 29, 2026

Walk into a local elementary classroom during an Elevate Phoenix session, and you will not just see a traditional reading lesson underway. You will witness a quiet, profound transformation taking place across a shared desk. A middle school student sits next to a younger elementary kiddo, patiently guiding them through an interactive book on the MyOn digital reading library. The older student is not an adult staff member or guest speaker. They are a middle school leader, a neighbor, and a living example of what happens when young people invest directly in one another.

At Elevate Phoenix, mentorship is never viewed as a one-time volunteer event. Instead, it is a 24/7/365 relational approach designed to break cycles of hardship and construct enduring pipelines of hope. Through cross-age mentoring in the Kiddos program, middle school students step up to build leadership habits early while helping elementary youth thrive in foundational literacy.

Early Leadership in Action

The transition through middle school is a critical period in a student’s development. Through the Middle School Program at Elevate Phoenix, students receive guidance through lunch mentoring, after-school activities, and direct support from dedicated Teacher-Mentors. In the Elevate Phoenix model, receiving support is only the first step, as middle schoolers are also empowered to step into active leadership roles themselves.

By visiting elementary classrooms across local school pipelines, middle school leaders teach foundational lessons in early literacy and character. Utilizing digital reading tools like MyOn, these middle school mentors help younger students sharpen reading comprehension, explore new concepts, and build lasting academic confidence.

For elementary kiddos, having a middle school student from their own community give them undivided attention is powerful. The middle school mentor is not an intimidating authority figure. They are an approachable role model who proves that academic focus, kindness, and leadership are achievable right now.

Real Relationships Yield Real Results

While the immediate goal of cross-age mentoring is to boost elementary reading skills and social-emotional growth, the impact on the middle school mentors is equally profound. Stepping into a mentoring role instills accountability, empathy, and self-confidence in middle schoolers early in their educational journey. They begin to see themselves not merely as students navigating middle school, but as true community leaders capable of inspiring others.

This early foundation carries directly into high school and beyond. Across five school pipelines at Elevate Phoenix, this multi-generational support ecosystem drives remarkable, measurable outcomes. While the high school graduation rate in the state of Arizona sits at 74%, students participating in Elevate Phoenix achieve an extraordinary 98% graduation rate. Furthermore, 100% of graduating seniors establish concrete post-secondary plans, whether heading to college, enrolling in trade or certificate programs, joining the military, or entering the workforce directly.

By planting seeds of literacy and leadership in middle school and elementary classrooms, Elevate Phoenix creates a continuous pipeline of success that carries youth from elementary school all the way through high school graduation and post-secondary pathways.

It Takes a Community to Join Us at the 10th Annual EPI

Sustaining this life-changing model requires a community that stands firmly behind our youth. Every classroom session, reading tool, and mentorship hour is made possible through dedicated partners, donors, and community leaders who believe in the potential of Phoenix students.

If you are looking for a powerful way to get involved and celebrate this impact, we invite you to mark your calendar for our premier signature event, 10th Annual Elevate Phoenix Invitational, hosted by PGA Tour Champion Tom Lehman.

This two-day celebration brings together community leaders, corporate partners, and supporters for an unforgettable weekend dedicated to changing lives.

Gala Celebration on Sunday, November 15 at Hilton North Scottsdale at Cavasson
Celebrity-Am Golf Tournament on Monday, November 16 at TPC Scottsdale Champions Course

By purchasing tickets, sponsoring a foursome, or joining us at the Gala, you become an active Hope Holder for youth across our five school pipelines. Every dollar raised directly funds our 24/7/365 mentorship pipeline, ensuring that middle school leaders continue inspiring elementary kiddos for years to come.