NAZ and Groves Academy Launch Literacy Partnership

The new collaboration provides intensive tutoring services to students across North Minneapolis.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Adult Education

Bold vector editorial illustration showing an open book and three wooden blocks on a flat surface, symbolizing literacy and educational support. — The Northside Achievement Zone and Groves Academy have formed a partnership to provide intensive literacy tutoring for students in North Minneapolis. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Northside Achievement Zone and Groves Academy have launched a new literacy partnership to provide academic support to students in North Minneapolis. The program connects local youth with specialized tutoring to improve long-term educational outcomes.

Why it matters

The partnership aims to build student success by keeping educational resources and decision-making authority within the community. It seeks to close literacy gaps through structured small-group instruction.

The program utilizes 11 newly hired tutors to deliver three hours of small-group literacy support to students each week. Additionally, NAZ is managing a $50,000 challenge grant match for donors during the upcoming Give to the Max Day.

The players

Northside Achievement Zone

The Northside Achievement Zone is a community organization that has been operating in North Minneapolis for 15 years.

Groves Academy

Groves Academy is an educational institution that specializes in providing tutor training and instructional literacy coaching.

The details

NAZ recruits and employs the tutors, while Groves Academy provides the necessary instructional coaching and literacy materials. Tutoring sessions are currently hosted at Nellie Stone Johnson Community School and Ascension Catholic School, with plans to expand services to Lucy Craft Laney Community School.

Early giving for Give to the Max Day begins Nov. 1, 2026.
A neighborhood bus tour is scheduled for Nov. 10, 2026.
Give to the Max Day takes place Nov. 19, 2026.
A second neighborhood bus tour is scheduled for Dec. 10, 2026.

Culture Shift

This partnership reflects a broader movement toward community-led educational models that prioritize keeping resources and decision-making power at the local level. It aligns with the Northside Achievement Zone 15-year operational framework by integrating specialized coaching into existing community school support systems.

Families in North Minneapolis can expect their students to receive three hours of weekly small-group literacy tutoring at participating local schools. Additionally, community members looking to support the initiative can contribute to the fundraising effort during Give to the Max Day.

The takeaway

This collaboration highlights the importance of combining local community management with specialized academic expertise to improve student literacy. Residents interested in the initiative can participate in upcoming neighborhood bus tours to learn more about the program.