This past year, Loyola students launched a new, student-led tutoring service for schools in our surrounding community. Ignatian Scholars were invited to go to neighboring schools, including Holy Name of Jesus School and Immaculate Conception School, to tutor younger students who needed academic support. Founded by Scott Smith ’24, a former senior dedicated to expanding Ignatian Scholars’ outreach, this initiative is primarily overseen by Thomas Marsh, the program moderator and head of Ignatian Scholars. Marsh explained that his vision for the tutoring program was to give Loyola students the chance to experience the responsibilities of teaching and helping others understand academic challenges, as well as to see firsthand how the act of teaching contributes to their own growth as Ignatian Scholars. Marsh believes that serving others in an academic capacity aligns with the Ignatian ideal of becoming “men and women for others.”
Student leader Clayton Smith ’25 described how participating in this tutoring program has been both an emotionally and practically enriching experience, saying, “This experience is very enticing and rewarding because we can give these kids academic attention that they don’t usually receive. It’s really fulfilling to see them grow.” Many Cubs share in Smith’s sentiments when it comes to the program. The goals for this service align closely with those of Joseph Yim, head of the extended tutoring program and an Honors English II teacher, who hopes the experience will inspire students to engage more deeply with Ignatian Scholars by directly addressing the academic needs of others.
Though it is still in its early stages, the tutoring program has already established many meaningful relationships with local schools and is expected to become one of Loyola’s most impactful community outreach programs. By providing consistent academic support, Loyola students are not only improving the academic lives of children in neighboring schools but also building a lasting legacy of community-centered education that will have lasting benefits for years to come.
