Program Services

Learning Bridge provides free, one-on-one tutoring for foster care, kinship, adopted, and unhoused youth in grades K–12 across Central Texas. We match students with trained volunteer tutors who show up consistently — every week, all year — to help them catch up academically, build confidence, and stay in school.

Our tutoring program is currently our flagship program, available at no cost to foster and kinship families in Travis, Hays, Williamson, Bastrop, Bell, and Caldwell counties.

If you are interested in matching a foster care, unhoused or adopted youth with a volunteer tutor, please complete the application here.

Refer a Child for Tutoring

If you are a foster or kinship caregiver, CPS worker, school counselor, or agency representative working with a student who could benefit from consistent academic support, we want to hear from you. Submit an intake form below to get started.

Once the form is submitted and we learn about the student’s needs, we will contact you to set up a time to meet the caregivers and student and to discuss the program. We can typically match a student with a tutor within a week. Students are matched according to the tutor’s experience, interest and proximity to the family if in-person tutoring is requested. Tutors meet with their students a minimum of one hour a week and commit to a full school year.

Program at a Glance

Individualized Approach

Our program is individualized to meet the needs of the student. Tutors are trained to develop a strong rapport and trust with the student. The tutor will work with the student and family to set goals and make a plan for their time together. This may include working on homework, practicing test prep, improving reading skills, learning how to study and take notes, or just enhancing basic organizational skills. If a student does not need help with homework, tutors will come prepared with materials to help the child learn. The student just needs to show up and be ready to learn! A schedule for sessions is arranged with the families’ schedule in mind; most of our tutors are flexible and aim to meet the families’ needs.

Commitment to Accept Tutoring

Tutoring is offered free of charge for school-aged kids in foster or kinship placements, and in the Family Based Safety Program. Families and students are required to commit to at least one hour of tutoring a week and maintain good communication with their tutors. These sessions may be broken up into 30 minute sessions throughout the week if the tutor and student choose to do so. The student must have access to a quiet space where they are able to focus on their tutoring lesson for the week. Sessions may be scheduled virtually or in-person and can take place in the afternoons, evenings, weekends, or any other time outside of school hours that is agreeable to both the tutor and the family.

Who We Serve

Learning Bridge accepts referrals for students in grades K–12 living in Travis, Hays, Williamson, Bastrop, Bell, and Caldwell counties. Students must be in foster care, a kinship placement, or the Family Based Safety Program to be eligible. If you’re unsure whether a student qualifies, reach out to us at info@learningbridgetx.org and we’ll help you figure it out.

How It Works

Once an intake form is submitted, our team reviews the student’s needs and reaches out to schedule a brief meeting with the caregiver and student. We can typically complete a match within a week. Students are paired with tutors based on subject needs, shared interests, and location when in-person sessions are requested.

From there, the tutor and family work together to set goals and build a schedule that fits everyone. Sessions can cover homework help, test prep, reading and math skills, study habits, or any area where the student needs support. If a student doesn’t have homework, the tutor comes prepared. The student just needs to show up ready to learn.

What We Ask of Families

Learning Bridge aims to maintain good communication with caregivers and we are always available if there are any questions or concerns. The volunteer tutors are meant to help take some of the burden off of busy families, and ultimately, to help students to catch up, develop a love of learning, and to excel. Tutoring works best when it’s consistent on both sides. We ask participating families and students to:

• Complete 2 surveys (beginning and end of year)
• Take pre- and post- tests in reading and math
• Share grades to help monitor academic performance
• Show-up for sessions on time as scheduled
• Attend 2 celebration events (December and May)
• Maintain communication with assigned tutor

All families, students, and tutors have direct access to the Learning Bridge team throughout the year. We’re always available if questions or concerns come up.

All of our students have reported having a positive connection with their tutors.

What Families and Students Say

“My tutor helped me understand math and get better grades”

Student, age 13

“My tutor has helped me to like school more.”

Student, age 8

“Our foster son hates to read, and despite this, his tutor has been able to help him, improving his reading and comprehension skills.

-Caregiver