Forward-thinking initiatives like United for Schools.
By tackling opportunity gaps head-on, we’re transforming the futures of local students and strengthening the entire community.
Launched in 2021 as pilot programs at Madison Elementary in Davenport and Washington Elementary in Moline, United for Schools has already demonstrated success in improving attendance, academic performance, and social-emotional development for hundreds of students.
For most public schools, nearly 90% of public funding goes toward operational costs like staff and teachers, leaving little room to address the broader nonacademic needs of students. In low-income communities, these limitations are magnified by barriers such as poverty, lack of access to healthcare, food insecurity, and unstable housing. The ripple effects—chronic absenteeism, behavioral challenges, and missed learning opportunities—often prevent students from reaching their full potential.
United for Schools bridges public resource gaps in Title 1 elementary schools*, mobilizing community partnerships to meet students’ needs with critical resources and tailored support.
At the core of the initiative are integrated student supports, targeted interventions designed to address both academic and nonacademic challenges. United for Schools provides these supports in three ways:
Widely available services designed to foster a positive school climate and address school-level risk factors.
Typically provided in a group setting to students with a common need.
Typically provided in a one-on-one setting to students with highly specific needs.
United for Schools is guided by our Education Council, a team of superintendents, businesses, labor, nonprofit, workforce leaders and funders, who for more than ten years have harnessed data from the Quad Cities Educational Data Exchange (a unique, bi-state data sharing warehouse) to pioneer innovative interventions to make a lasting difference for our youngest Quad Citizens.
* Title 1 is a designation is given to schools with a high percentage of students from low-income families. There are 106 public schools in Scott & Rock Island counties; 83 of those schools (78%) qualify as Title 1. United for Schools is focusing efforts on five Title 1 schools with high demonstrated need (free & reduced lunch, BIPOC communities).
For most public schools, nearly 90% of public funding goes toward operational costs like staff and teachers, leaving little room to address the broader nonacademic needs of students. In low-income communities, these limitations are magnified by barriers such as poverty, lack of access to healthcare, food insecurity, and unstable housing. The ripple effects—chronic absenteeism, behavioral challenges, and missed learning opportunities—often prevent students from reaching their full potential.
United for Schools bridges public resource gaps in Title 1 elementary schools*, mobilizing community partnerships to meet students’ needs with critical resources and tailored support.
At the core of the initiative are integrated student supports, targeted interventions designed to address both academic and nonacademic challenges. United for Schools provides these supports in three ways:
United Way places site coordinators at each United for Schools campus, and along with collaborative partners including our national partner, Communities in Schools, we will:
The result? Proven success in student academic achievement, graduation rates and overall well-being.
When our community works together, the results can been seen in reduced chronic absenteeism, and improvements in student behavior, academic performance and overall engagement. Hear what our superintendents have to say.
Beyond the numbers, the initiative sends a powerful message to students: they’re valued, supported, and capable of achieving their dreams.
Programs and initiatives include:
When a student can’t see the white board, how can they realize their full potential? This in-school program helps put students’ futures in focus, one school and one student at a time.
During the 2023-24 school year, we provided 1,906 vision screenings, 547 exams and 515 students with two pairs of glasses across five Title 1 elementary schools.
The smiles on these students’ faces as they see clearly for the first time are unforgettable. But don’t take our word for it, see it for yourself.
When you look good, you feel good. This program delivers more than a fresh haircut and free book to students, it encourages self-care, social and emotional wellness and inspires a love of reading.
During the 2023-34 school year, four barbers provided 372 hours of mentoring to 60 students, along with haircuts and books at two Title 1 elementary schools.
It’s not easy being a girl today. Love Girls Magazine partners with Madison and Washington Elementary schools to create a safe and supportive space where girls can connect, share their stories, and build community. By fostering opportunities in storytelling and leadership, we help them build confidence, develop new skills, and discover their potential to make a difference.
Sources: Quad Cities Educational Data Exchange; Madison Elementary School; George Washington Elementary School
United for Schools is in five Title 1 elementary schools in the Quad Cities, serving 2,000 students. This expansion is made possible with a new national partnership with Communities in Schools and a $1 million Ballmer Group challenge grant.
These schools are at the heart of the United for Schools program: Jefferson and Madison Elementary schools, Davenport, Wells Elementary in East Moline, Washington Elementary in Moline, and Rock Island Academy.
A cornerstone of the expansion is rigorous data collection, ensuring the initiative strengthens its evidence base and maintains transparency and accountability to stakeholders.
Thank you for investing in the success of our youngest Quad Citizens.
The United for Schools initiative is reshaping education in the Quad Cities, but its success depends on continued community support. Whether through donations, volunteering, or forming partnerships, there are countless ways to get involved and make a difference.
Connect with Ragan Baker, United Way’s Student Success Director, at rbaker@unitedwayqc.org.
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A volunteer reading program that promotes youth literacy through one-on-one tutoring in schools.
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The United for Schools initiative is reshaping education in the Quad Cities, but its success depends on continued community support. Whether through donations, volunteering, or forming partnerships, there are countless ways to get involved and make a difference.
Connect with Ragan Baker, United Way’s Student Success Director, at rbaker@unitedwayqc.org.
YOU can be part of a movement transforming the future of education in the Quad Cities. We’re currently in need of Read United volunteers. You can build a student’s reading confidence with just 30-minutes a week.
When you invest $25 a month through United Way Quad Cities, you’re providing opportunity and access to students in Rock Island and Scott County schools.
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