A Place to Play Creates the Space to Learn
Supporting Reading Partners and Revitalizing Schoolyards at Laurel Elementary
On a sunny morning at Laurel Elementary, the school campus is buzzing. Bursts of laughter from the playground trickle into the library, where quiet words and rustling pages fill the air. But rather than competing, the sounds are in conversation; creating the full symphony of a happy childhood. Through our support of high-impact tutoring and our investment in revitalized schoolyards, Eat. Learn. Play. is investing in schools like Laurel Elementary and students across Oakland holistically, creating better outcomes for kids.
Learning Blooms at Laurel
Eat. Learn. Play. works with trusted partners to provide targeted, personalized support for students who are behind in reading, meeting students where they’re at. Our support of Reading Partners helps students develop critical literacy skills through one-on-one literacy tutoring at three Oakland Unified School District campuses: Laurel Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, and Lockwood STEAM Academy.
Kim Wilson has been volunteering with Reading Partners for 15 years. Her approach is grounded in helping students feel ownership of their own learning journeys. “One of my students is working on catching himself when he realizes he hasn’t understood enough of what he’s read,” explained Kim. “I want him to have confidence to go back and reread, and to know that’s part of being a good reader.”
At Laurel Elementary, 48 students were enrolled in the Reading Partners program in the 2025-26 school year, supported by tutors like Kim. Gia, a fourth grader who works with Kim twice a week, excitedly shared the selections she and Kim had been reading together. When asked what she wants to keep working on, Gia stated confidently, “I want to know how to read big words.” It’s a goal Gia knows is within her reach. At least 90% of Laurel students enrolled in Reading Partners met or exceeded their literacy goals by the end of last school year.
Kim and Gia working together during a Reading Partners tutoring session
Recess Fuels Reading
Kim has also seen the impact that Eat. Learn. Play.’s broader investments into Oakland schools has had on the overall student experience. In 2023, Eat. Learn. Play. completed our 9th schoolyard build at Laurel Elementary, which featured a new play structure, two multi-sport courts, a nature exploration area, newly planted trees, and beautiful murals. It’s part of our broader strategy to transform Oakland's elementary school campuses into vibrant spaces that promote kids’ health, joy, and academic success.
Kim sees the direct connection between play and learning come to life through the kids she works with. “I see one of my students right after recess,” recalled Kim. “He comes in sweaty, and ready to learn. The fact that he’s been able to run around and have fun out there means he’s more prepared for the work we do together.”
Joy at the Center
Whether it’s learning or play, our approach at Eat. Learn. Play. is rooted in the belief that kids deserve joy in every aspect of their lives. Our work at Laurel and our partnership with Reading Partners embodies the best of both. “When we go into the classrooms to pick up our students for their sessions, the other kids say, ‘Me! Me!’ They want to join too!” added Kim. “People think there might be a stigma around tutoring, or something to hide. But that’s not the way the kids are responding to it.” This freedom to learn, play, and grow is giving kids across Oakland joyful, supported childhoods and the foundation to thrive.
Learn more about the work of Reading Partners and about Eat. Learn. Play.'s schoolyard builds.