Check out the Tragil Wade-Johnson Summer Reading Program newsletter!

The Tragil Wade-Johnson Summer Reading Program is a free program for children entering grades 2, 3, or 4 who need extra reading help.

The 2026 program takes place during the following four weeks:

• June 29 - July 2 (no program on July 3rd)
• July 6-10
• July 13-17
• July 20-24

Children must be able to attend all four weeks of the program daily from 9:00am to 12:30pm. 

The daily program includes:

• 90 minutes structured literacy instruction
• healthy snack, recess, and lunch
• 60 minutes hand-on STEM instruction

If you're interested in having your child participate in the program, please complete the online application linked below. Placement testing for the program will take place in May. Not all applicants are placed in the program. 

2026 Tragil Wade-Johnson Summer Reading Program Online Application

Please contact Mary Krawczyk, Program Coordinator, at mary.krawczyk@marquette.edu or (414) 288-7617 with any questions.

---

Starting in June 2015, the Hartman Center kicked off its inaugural Live to Dream Summer Reading Program funded by the Wade’s World Foundation, the charitable foundation of Marquette alumnus Dwyane Wade. This partnership furthers the Center’s mission of preparing future teachers and supporting Milwaukee’s schoolchildren in a new and inventive way.

Expanding upon its successful model running during the academic year, the summer reading program enrolls rising second, third, and fourth grade children for four weeks of structured literacy instruction. The children also participate in high quality, high interest enrichment activities. Twelve tutors work with small groups of five children per classroom, for a total of 60 children.

In addition, the tutors receive professional development throughout the summer to further enhance the skills garnered in their time on campus. At the end of the summer session, they are even better prepared to teach the next generation of learners.

Check out this video of our surprise visit from Mr. Wade

Since 1992, the Hartman Center has been preparing tomorrow’s teachers and supporting today’s readers. Programs like the Live to Dream Summer Reading Program along with continued partnerships and donations will ensure that we continue to do so long into the future.

Support the Tragil Wade-Johnson Summer Reading Program

For more information about the Hartman Literacy and Learning Center, please contact the center director, Dr. Kathleen Clark, at kathleen.clark@marquette.edu or the program coordinator, Mary Krawczyk, at mary.krawczyk@marquette.edu or (414) 288-7617.