For the 2025-26 school year, the Writing Center merged with the Academic Support center to create the Lightridge Learning Center (LLC).
In previous years, the Writing Center would focus solely on tutoring English based assignments whilst the Academic Support Center would work on the other core subjects like math, science, and history. LLC focuses on all four core subjects and additionally provides structure with electives and world languages. Currently, the center is open during all blocks.
Jason White, the department chair for the English department, and Kathryn Johnson, a 9th grade English and AP Language teacher head LLC.
“I think [the merge] was definitely worth it. We had two really successful tutoring centers last year and I hope that by merging we are able to provide a service to students that people can really use,” said Johnson.
“I think [the merge] was worth it. We had two things that existed before we had the writing center, the support center, and I think that combining those two is good because it gives us kind of one place for kids to go to get help with assignments,” said White.
Along with the two English teachers who lead LLC, most of the teachers supervising the center are English teachers. Out of the 8 blocks LLC is open, six of the blocks are led solely by English teachers. Only blocks 6 and 7 are co-led by English teachers and math teachers: Reijoyce Averion and Rita Lahiri.
The previous Writing Center room was located within the center of the school, in the middle of the CTE and History hallways. The new LLC room, however, is located in room 2118, which is in the front of the building in the corner of the school, at the opposite end of all the core subject hallways. This move has proven to be controversial among the student staff members.
“I hate the [new] environment,” said LLC tutor Andrew Martin.
“I miss the room..” said Audrey Thorne, another tutor.
There is a strong imbalance between tutors and which subjects they have the ability to tutor in. Tutors from the Writing Center are specialized with English topics whereas tutors from the Academic Support Center are stronger with core subjects like math and science. There are more English focused tutors than tutors for the other subjects. For example in block four, out of the seven tutors, only two tutors feel skilled enough to tackle math and science related assignments.
“I think we just need to build our bank of knowledge,” said Thorne.
“ And find methods for tutoring certain subjects,” added Martin.
Despite challenges, the LLC is looking to remain open for the next coming years.
“It’s a little imperfect right now because we’re trying something new,” said White. “We’re learning to just go with the flow.”
