Bearcat Buddies
Connecting UC Students to Children in Cincinnati Public Schools
Bearcat Buddies is a tutoring program offered through the Center for Community Engagement (CCE), in partnership with GRAD Cincinnati, the Queen City Book Bank, and Cincinnati Public Schools.
Students who are interested in serving as a volunteer tutor and helping Cincinnati Public Schools' children achieve academic success should consider becoming a Bearcat Buddy! It's a powerful way to give back and provides a meaningful experience for both tutors and the children they serve.
Bearcat Buddies is a great addition to any resume and includes the potential for leadership development through the Lead Tutor program. Above all, it's a fun way to make a positive impact on your community!
Bearcat Buddies primarily work with students in Kindergarten through 6th grade, for an hour per week during the Fall and Spring semesters. Tutoring sessions range from 8:00am - 5:00pm, Tuesday - Friday. You can find Bearcat Buddies in Cincinnati Public Schools including:
- Cincinnati Digital Academy
- College Hill Fundamental Academy
- Ethel M. Taylor Academy
- Gamble Montessori
- Hays-Porter School
- James N. Gamble Montessori
- Oyler School
- Pleasant Ridge Montessori
- Roberts Academy
- Rees E. Price Academy
- Riverview East Academy
- Roll Hill Academy
- School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA)
- South Avondale
- Taft Elementary
- Western Hills High School
- Westwood School
Join the Bearcat Buddies Alumni Network!
Bearcat Buddies has created an alumni network on LinkedIn! Join the Bearcat Buddies Alumni Network now and share how participating in Bearcat Buddies impacted your experience at UC!
The Bearcat Buddies program was designed to intentionally remove barriers that college students often face in building tutoring relationships with children in local schools. The CCE removes key barriers for Bearcat Buddies by:
- Providing transportation when possible
- Arranging virtual, on-campus, and on-site tutor training
- Facilitating required background checks for tutors
- Providing ongoing support throughout the year
Applications are taken each semester. Preference is given to tutors who have volunteered with Bearcat Buddies in previous semesters.
Submit a Bearcat Buddies school interest form and a CCE staff member will reach out to you shortly!
The Lead Tutor Program is designed to enrich the experiences of Bearcat Buddies and the children they work with. Every academic year, 30 lead tutors are selected to serve as liaisons between the tutors, the Center for Community Engagement, and GRAD Cincinnati.
Lead tutors manage tutor communication, implement fun activities for tutees, and overall, work to foster a sense of community in the Bearcat Buddies program. Lead tutors are provided an introductory training and meet as a cohort six times throughout the year.