Building Pathways to Kindergarten

Greater Than - Portland and Hillsboro, OR

Greater Than (GT) is an organization dedicated to empowering students from poverty-impacted communities to succeed in school, college, and career. Through a foundation of deep collaboration and a focus on racial equity, GT centers the voices of families and communities, adapting flexibly to evolving needs. Over 60% of GT’s staff are people of color, with many sharing cultural backgrounds, languages, or lived experiences with the students they serve.

To address inequities in kindergarten readiness, GT launched the Ready Schools initiative in 2020 at Alder Elementary School and later expanded it to Lincoln Street Elementary School. The program ensures schools take a proactive role in supporting children and families before the first day of kindergarten. Key components include early kindergarten registration, summer transition programming for children without prior early learning experiences, culturally responsive home visits by student success specialists, and ongoing support from a dedicated Early Childhood Team.

Program goals aim to shift the burden of readiness from families to schools by preparing school staff and environments for new students, fostering stronger school-family connections, and delivering culturally relevant learning materials. Research supports the effectiveness of even short-term early learning experiences, demonstrating that children with at least three weeks of preparation perform comparable to peers with more extensive early education.

GT serves students in East Multnomah County and downtown Hillsboro, where over 80% of students are children of color, 63% are English language learners, and 95% qualify for free or reduced lunch. The initiative targets children ages 0–5 and their families, aiming to reduce barriers like language differences and digital access.

The JTMF Foundation is proud to support and stand alongside Greater Than in its mission to create equitable educational opportunities for children and families. We are honored to be part of a movement that centers community and ensures every child is truly ready to thrive from the very start.