Reading with Sports Literacy Program

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

Central LA East LA South LA San Gabriel Valley Long Beach Gateway Cities

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Foster and system-impacted youth face significant barriers to educational success, particularly in literacy development. These young people often experience instability, trauma, and inconsistent schooling—factors that directly disrupt foundational literacy skills. Transient placements, school changes, and a lack of tailored academic support create cumulative learning gaps, especially in reading comprehension and fluency. Literacy is not just an academic skill; it’s a gateway to opportunity, confidence, and self-advocacy. When system-impacted youth fall behind in reading, they are more likely to disengage from school and face long-term challenges in employment, communication, and civic participation. At 4Elite Training Academy, we recognize that traditional approaches often fail to reach these youth in meaningful ways. That’s why we developed a culturally relevant and interest-based literacy model that connects reading with the power of sports.

The Reading with Sports Literacy program harnesses students’ passion for sports to drive literacy and academic growth. By incorporating sports-related content—such as game highlights, athlete profiles, and sports journalism—the program creates an engaging, culturally relevant learning environment that motivates students to read and write with purpose. To deepen their learning, students take on the role of sportscasters, reading from a teleprompter to present curated highlights, and author short articles about their favorite athletes or teams, developing both reading comprehension and writing skills. These hands-on, performance-based activities not only improve literacy fluency and critical thinking but also build confidence, creativity, and media literacy. Aligned with 4Elite Training Academy’s mission, this innovative approach addresses educational inequity with measurable outcomes and real-world relevance.

If successful, the Reading with Sports Literacy program will help reshape Los Angeles into a city where youth—especially those impacted by inequity—are equipped with the literacy skills to succeed in school and beyond. With nearly 60% of low-income California 4th graders reading below grade level, early literacy is a key factor in disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. Our program uses sports to make reading relevant, closing achievement gaps and boosting engagement. As students gain confidence and skills, they’re also introduced to real-world career paths in sports journalism and media—fields projected to grow and offer meaningful, creative work. A thriving L.A. is one where all youth, regardless of background, can read, write, and lead with purpose.