Learning Circle nonprofit asks Woodbridge schools to partner on peer tutoring for middle school math

WOODBRIDGE, N.J. — Ria Patel, co‑founder of the nonprofit Learning Circle, asked the Woodbridge Township Board of Education on Sept. 18 to direct the administration to partner with the group and help restart and expand a peer-to-peer middle-school math tutoring program.

Patel said the Learning Circle ran virtual pre-algebra and algebra tutoring for Woodbridge students last year using high-school volunteers from Edison and Woodbridge and that the program kept support services running when in-person options were limited. She said the program raised $3,000 from private donations and that volunteers and families are eager to continue. "We're not asking for the district to cover costs. We're asking for your partnership," she told the board.

The board chair said the board could open a discussion with administration but clarified that the board itself is not able to direct day-to-day administrative assignments during public comment. The superintendent said he would entertain conversations with the nonprofit and said staff would consider ways to fit community-run programs into district supervision and guidelines, if feasible.

No formal action or vote was taken at the meeting; the board asked the presenter to engage the administration and follow up.