Starting a Secondary School Writing Center

Advocating, Building, and Collaborating: A Resource Toolkit to Sustain Secondary School Writing Centers includes strategies and materials to help you implement a writing center or peer tutoring center in your school.

An Introduction to High School Writing Centers By Edison Writing Center Founding Director Amber Jensen

Watch Edison Writing Center Director Amber Jensen’s Prezi, “An Introduction to High School Writing Centers,” which she presented at the 2013 NCTE Annual Convention here.

“Getting it Off The Ground: The Wildcat Writing Center’s Inaugural Year” By Centreville High School’s Wildcat Writing Center Founding Director Allison Grace Hughes

Centreville High School’s Wildcat Writing Center Director Allison Grace Hughes describes the work and benefits that go along with creating a High School Writing Center. Drawing on her own experience and the knowledge of NVWP TCs, the article treats practical issues of managing space, scheduling, training and recruiting tutors, and operating a writing center effectively. She also provdies additional resources for those interested in starting their own writing center, including a short bibliography, and three essential forms: a writing center post-tutor session evaluation, a tutor log, and a student cover sheet.  ”The Writing Center isn’t a gimmick, it’s an institution we need to establish as a part of the culture of the school.”

 A Guide to Creating Student-Staffed Writing Centers, Grades 6-12, Revised Edition By Richard Kent, Maine Writing Project Director and Professor at the University of Maine

Kent’s guide is an invaluable resource for those looking to start a writing center at their school. From the publisherA Guide to Creating Student-Staffed Writing Centers, Grades 6-12 is a how-to and, ultimately, a why-to book for middle school and high school educators as well as for English/language arts teacher candidates and their methods instructors. Writing centers support students and their busy teachers while emphasizing and supporting writing across the curriculum.