With recent data revealing that two-thirds of Palm Beach County’s third-grade students are not meeting reading benchmarks, Milagro Center has launched two emergency academic initiatives aimed at reversing this troubling trend among underserved youth.
The nonprofit organization, which offers after-school and summer programming for low-income students in Delray Beach, has introduced the “CODE READ” Emergency Reading Initiative and “Rise to the Equation” Emergency Math Initiative. Both programs are designed to provide intensive academic intervention in response to what the center is calling a growing education crisis.
“The first year of the ‘CODE READ’ initiative produced extraordinary results, with every student in the program showing measurable improvement in their reading abilities,” said Barbara J. Stark, President and CEO of Milagro Center. “We are determined to build on this success and expand our reach to more students who are at risk.”
Reading in crisis
Data from the Florida Department of Education’s Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) shows that a majority of third-grade students in Palm Beach County are failing in reading. Research underscores the long-term risks: children who struggle to read by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.
In response, the CODE READ program offers:
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Daily one-on-one sessions with professional reading specialists
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Individual assessments to identify specific learning challenges
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Focused support for comprehension, fluency, sight word recognition, and writing
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Year-round support, including after-school sessions and summer programming
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Milagro Center is seeking $25,000 in funding to sustain CODE READ for a full year, which will cover the cost of staffing, curriculum, and academic supplies.
Math deficiencies threaten future opportunities
At the same time, student math scores—especially in low-income communities—are in decline, posing another major hurdle to long-term academic and career success. In response, Milagro Center’s new “Rise to the Equation” initiative targets math learning loss through:
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One-on-one instruction tailored to individual needs
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Development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills
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Enrichment activities to boost math confidence and engagement
“By providing students with personalized instruction in math fundamentals, Milagro Center aims to reverse learning loss, build academic confidence, and ensure long-term educational success,” said Stark.
Like the reading initiative, the math program also requires $25,000 in funding for the next 12 months.
Milagro Center serves a student population that lives at or below the federal poverty line. Most attend Delray Beach elementary schools, and the demographics of those served include 57% Creole/Haitian, 32% African American, and 11% Hispanic.
Both emergency initiatives directly address what the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) confirms: students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds face greater challenges in achieving academic success.
“These students aren’t lacking potential—they’re lacking access,” said Stark. “Our mission is to close that gap, and with the community’s support, we can make it happen.”
