Students show 'Moments of Brilliance' in Innovative Initiative

In the landscape of education, the most valuable resource isn’t always a specific curriculum or a piece of technology—sometimes, it’s simply a consistent, caring adult who shows up.

Thanks to the generous support of the CenterPoint Foundation, Learn to Earn Dayton, in partnership with the University of Dayton (UD) and Jefferson Township Local School District, launched an innovative academic enrichment initiative this past fall, as the elementary opened their doors to welcome engaged college students to provide academic enrichment and classroom support.

Originally designed to serve a small cohort of 55 students in limited classrooms, the program’s reception was so positive that it was expanded to serve more than 100 students across five classrooms.

While we are proud that 75% of our first and second graders (our priority population) showed reading growth from pre-test to mid-year, the true impact of the CenterPoint Foundation’s investment is best measured in confidence.

Flyer Coaches reported a surge in what they call "academic bravery." Students who previously shut down when facing difficult work began volunteering in class and pushing through frustrations.

Jack Lucas, a Fall 2025 Flyer Coach, described the experience as witnessing "moments of brilliance."

"I have been able to witness... moments of brilliance from all of the students I have worked with," Jack shared. "A concept finally clicks... and they are willing to go out of their way to tell a friend."

This work was made possible through a deep collaboration between:

The CenterPoint Foundation: Who provided the essential funding to make this work possible.

The University of Dayton Fitz Center for Leadership in Community: Who provided resilient, empathetic coaches.

Jefferson Township Local Schools Administration: Who opened their doors and worked tirelessly to adapt to challenges to support their students.

As we move into the next semester, we are refining our approach to better support classroom instruction and exploring new tools to aid literacy. But the foundation has been set: consistent relationships build confidence, and confidence builds readers.

Thank you, CenterPoint Foundation, for helping us create these moments of brilliance.