Nearly $2 Million Invested in Literacy: How The Lucy Project Is Building Capacity in Miami’s Classrooms

Written By Sandra Bermudez

Literacy Hub at Norwood Elementary

A message from Sandra Bermudez, Founder and CEO

This fall, The Lucy Project received a nearly two-million-dollar investment over the next three years from the Partnership for Miami. This opportunity was made possible through the generous support of Kenneth Griffin and Griffin Catalyst, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Robert and Melly Sanchez, and Leslie Miller Saiontz. Thank you!

This funding allows us to have the Literacy Hub at four schools in Miami-Dade County, impacting over 800 students during the most critical years of reading development.

This grant is about expanding and, most importantly, about building long-term capacity where it is needed most.

The Literacy Hub: A Model for Capacity Building

At The Lucy Project, we believe every child deserves access to effective reading instruction. We also believe that teachers are the key to lasting change in education.

Our Literacy Hub model is built around school partnerships that provide ongoing support and embedded coaching. It includes:

  • Rigorous summer professional development for teachers

  • In-classroom coaching and mentoring throughout the academic year

  • Targeted staff support for differentiated instruction

  • Universal screening, small group interventions, and progress monitoring

It is a year-round collaborative effort designed to strengthen reading instruction across entire grade levels. The model is aligned with the Science of Reading and structured literacy practices that are proven to work.

We are especially proud to partner with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, whose teachers are doing the hard work every day. Their commitment to excellence and willingness to grow continues to inspire us.

Norwood Elementary: A Proven Success

Two years ago, The Lucy Project partnered with Norwood Elementary, a Title I public school in Miami-Dade County, to launch our first Literacy Hub. From the beginning, this work was deeply collaborative, grounded in shared values and a shared belief in what’s possible for every student.

In the 2023-2024 school year, we set a goal for 80 percent of kindergarten students to reach or exceed grade-level reading benchmarks. By the end of the year, 91 percent of students who consistently participated in our program met that goal. Thanks to this new investment, The Lucy Project will continue at Norwood Elementary and expand to three additional schools: Auburndale Elementary, Florida City Elementary, and Beacon College Prep. This work will begin with pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade students, where reading development is most critical

This progress was also visible in the school’s internal data and reflects the dedication of Norwood’s teachers, the trust of its leadership, and the strength of our partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Expansion and Evaluation

Thanks to this new investment, The Lucy Project will expand to three additional schools: Auburndale Elementary, Florida City Elementary, and Beacon College Prep.

This work will focus on pre-kindergarten through first grade, where reading development is most critical. Over the next three years, the program will be independently evaluated to ensure transparency and effectiveness at every stage.

As Featured in the News

This milestone has attracted widespread media attention. Here are a few of the latest headlines:

Sandra Bermudez
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