ACADEMY MISSION & VALUES

Barbara Highsmith Reading Academy, Inc. (“the Academy”) is an IRS approved, tax-exempt charity, under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3).  As Proclaimed by Mayor Bill Saffo and the City of Wilmington, NC, July 15th is designated as Barbara Highsmith Reading Academy Day. The Academy is a membership organization dedicated to supporting the literary needs of struggling second grade readers in Wilmington, North Carolina, initially at the International School at Gregory. While the organization's roots date back to Barbara Highsmith’s more than 40 years as an educator in New Hanover County Schools, the Academy will address the many challenges faced by today's early childhood readers. At the core of the organization is a Board of Directors comprised of committed education industry professionals, including city and community leaders, and other reading enthusiast, who, like you, recognize the tremendous benefit of this unique Academy membership and affiliation. The Academy is a certified North Carolina non-profit corporation with a targeted membership of education industry professionals, teen volunteers, parents, nonprofit managers, and other literary advocates and friends of Barbara Highsmith!

Academy Mission Statement

The Academy program mission is to eliminate the literacy gap of emerging second-graders who are functionally illiterate, with the long-term goal of positively impacting K-7 student achievement. The Academy will provide a forum that allows a diverse group of teen volunteers, educators, parents, teachers, and education industry professionals to share ideas, new methods, innovative processes, and common challenges in reading and childhood education at large.

Academy Vision Statement

The Academy will bridge the literacy gap by serving the needs of struggling second-grade readers in Wilmington, North Carolina, initially at the International School at Gregory, where Barbara Highsmith engaged her students with innovative reading plans, real life applications, and promoted learning as a life-long endeavor. Second grade is the critical point to prevent at-risk students from ending up illiterate and losing all hope of living productive adult lives. The Academy is building an innovative literary platform today to improve the reading proficiency of children in Wilmington, North Carolina and to foster productive adult lives of tomorrow's leaders.

Academy Value Statements



• Provide an opportunity for childhood development and improved reading performance.
• Improve awareness of childhood reading deficiencies through networking partnerships with parents, local educators, city leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Strengthen the opportunity to introduce industry-wide change.
• Capitalize on the experiences, professionalism, personal integrity, diversity and dedication of our membership.