The Big Lift
The Big Lift is a bold collective impact effort that helps San Mateo County students achieve reading proficiency by the end of third grade.
We are dedicated to fostering collaboration and unifying stakeholders who share a common commitment–advancing third-grade literacy in San Mateo County.
Third grade literacy is a critical indicator for future learning and success. Children who can read proficiently by the end of third grade are more likely to thrive in school and beyond. Every child in San Mateo County deserves that strong foundation.
Serving San Mateo County
The Big Lift partners with school districts to support evidence-based language and literacy development from preschool through third grade. We prioritize supporting the communities and schools that need it the most.
Resources for Parents
Children’s language and literacy development begins when they’re born. Families are their children’s first and most important teachers.
We developed Let’s Read San Mateo County to give families and caregivers tools to help support their children’s language and literacy development. Find information on what children are learning at each age, and effective strategies to practice at home.
Featured News
Coming Together for Literacy in San Mateo County
On September 4, 2025, The Big Lift brought partners, families, and community leaders together for a special convening to celebrate the power of working collectively to support literacy for children in San Mateo County. The event wasn’t just about progress,
The Big Lift’s Inspiring Summers 2025: Joyful Learning, Confident Readers
Each summer, The Big Lift’s Inspiring Summers program transforms classrooms into vibrant spaces where children discover the joy of learning while building foundational literacy skills. This past summer, that transformation reached 928 students across San Mateo County, giving them opportunities
Q and A with Caila Parodi, Inspiring Summers Program Director
Inspiring Summers, The Big Lift’s innovative summer program, helps prevent summer learning loss by providing free summer learning opportunities for early elementary students in The Big Lift’s partner districts. We’re excited to be enrolling students in the 10th annual Inspiring
Bridging the Gap: Preventing Summer Learning Loss
As the school year comes to a close and summer break starts, children everywhere are excited for some time off. But for many students, summer isn’t just a break from school—it’s also a break from learning. And that can lead
Literacy and Justice for All: Key Takeaways from the 2025 Symposium
On March 7-8, literacy advocates, educators, and district leaders came together for the Literacy and Justice for All Symposium, hosted by the Oakland Literacy Coalition. Thirty-four representatives from preschools and school districts partnering with The Big Lift registered for the
The Big Lift: Making a Difference for Early Literacy in 2024
At The Big Lift, we know that strong reading skills are the foundation of future success. That’s why we’ve spent 2024 deepening our partnerships and expanding our programs to ensure more children in San Mateo County are set up for