Something Big to Celebrate in Charlotte County
By Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director
This summer, we have something big to celebrate in Charlotte County — and if you’ve ever walked a child to their first day of school, packed a lunchbox, read a bedtime story, or volunteered in a classroom, this victory is yours, too.
Marking its strongest performance in over a decade, Charlotte County Public Schools earned a B grade from the Florida Department of Education for the 2024–2025 school year — and get this — we were just 0.25% away from being an A-rated district. One tiny step away from the top. But even more exciting is what that grade represents: real progress, real growth, and a brighter future for our children.
This year, we saw an 80% increase in A-rated schools, bringing the total to nine — a milestone we haven’t reached since 2012. At the same time, the number of C-rated schools declined, and for the first time in recent memory, not a single school in our district received a D or F. That’s not just a statistic — it’s a reflection of every teacher staying late to tutor, every parent checking homework after a long workday, and every student showing up and trying again.
Our students are achieving more across the board — in reading, math, science, and history. But I want to pause and give a special spotlight to something close to my heart: the Charlotte County Reads – Reading Buddy program.
This past year, 114 students in grades K–5 were matched with 64 Reading Buddy volunteers. These volunteers showed up week after week, sharing not just their time, but their patience, encouragement, and love of books. The result? 87% of participating students made measurable learning gains. That’s 87% of kids who now feel a little more confident, a little more capable, and a lot more seen.
And the volunteers? They logged a combined 816 hours. That’s hundreds of stories read aloud, hundreds of questions answered, and countless moments where a child felt important because someone showed up just for them.
We’ll be celebrating these incredible volunteers on Monday, August 25 at our Reading Buddy Lunch. If you’re one of them — thank you. If you know someone who might want to join next year — send them our way. We’d love to grow the program even more.
Education is often measured in grades, percentages, and benchmarks. But at its heart, it’s about people — about connection. About sitting side-by-side with a student and saying, “I believe in you.” That’s what’s happening in Charlotte County, every single day.
Let’s keep reading. Let’s keep growing. For more information about the Reading Buddy Lunch and program, please visit: unitedwayccfl.org/BrightFuture
For more information about United Way Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community to break the cycle of poverty, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.