VOLUNTEER & SUPPORT

Help support APS

With many different opportunities to get involved with our schools, whether through volunteering or donations of essential goods for our students, you can make a significant impact with as little as 15 minutes of your day.

This page will outline all the volunteer and support programs available at Akron Public Schools.

Become a CCAA business partner

Business pathway partners work with our students and teachers to bring real-life expertise into the classroom and beyond. And they are what make the College & Career Academies model so successful. If your company has one hour or 100 hours to share, there is a role for you.

Get involved

Volunteer in our schools

Volunteers enhance the lives and education of our students. Each APS school has individual volunteer programs unique to them, with many options to fit your interests. Contact your school to learn more about their specific opportunities. Access the required application form by clicking below.

Apply now

Help with our AkronReads initiative

AkronReads pairs volunteer tutors with K-3 students who are at risk for falling behind in reading to improve their skills and help them foster a love of reading. Since 1999, thousands of trained literacy tutors have helped our students reach new literacy goals.

Apply to be a volunteer

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Support our students

Our students often have needs that go beyond what is provided in the classroom. Clothing, warm coats, socks and other essentials are items often needed in our schools. Reach out to your local school for a wish list or, our contact us to learn where your help is needed most.

Project Rise

Project Rise is a program designed to help students and families experiencing homelessness and housing transition. Some of the work done through Project Rise includes group fundraisers, helping with the tutoring program, donating most-needed items and more.

Volunteer today

At APS, there’s many ways you can get involved to help our students and schools. Interested in volunteering or donating needed resources? Contact our Community Partnerships Coordinator Stancy Sykes at 330.761.1680 to learn more about our volunteer opportunities.

Call Stancy Sykes at 330.761.1680

All volunteers are subject to a background check process used by the Akron Public Schools District. School personnel will request a copy of your Ohio driver's license and/or state I.D. for this purpose. Volunteers working one-on-one with students are required to get a background check. The cost for a FBI/BCI check is $48. Please contact Merge Freeman at 330-761-2961 or 330.761.2914 for more information about the background check process. Any APS volunteer serving students without the supervision of an APS staff person or in a one-on-one (student-adult) environment (virtually or in person) is required to complete a background check for volunteer approval, prior to the start of service.

Weekly Update is your source for district-level news from Akron Public Schools. This e-newsletter is delivered on Thursday when school is in session. Featured content includes:

Important upcoming dates
District news (testing information, schedules, registration deadlines, upcoming district-wide events, etc.)
Community resources (Food and clothing assistance, free classes, tax help, etc.)
APS in the news (teacher spotlights, student achievements, media highlights, etc.)
Student and family resource links