Local elementary students will now have more access to home-based tutoring and other literacy programs with the launch of a new STARS after-school site at Montrose Church on Tuesday, October 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The opening and ribbon-cutting ceremonies for STARS’ new Pasadena Bresee Campus will be led by officials of Lake Avenue Community Foundation and Because You Mater, Inc.

STARS, which stands for Students and Tutors Achieving Real Success, provides after-school tutoring, drop-out prevention and enrichment programs for Pasadena Unified School District students in grades 1-12.

The new campus will cater to an initial capacity of 25 elementary students, who are set to receive homework-based tutoring, reading literacy and technology classes, college prep and life skills, parent and family support, and enrichment through community partnerships.

STARS’ Youth Education for Tomorrow (YET) literacy curicullum helps the students develop their reading skills by enjoying a variety of literature. STARS also added a new-internet-based 10-week reading program to help students increase their reading level by one grade.

Additional services for the program include guidance counselling that will provide increased intake and evaluation for each student, and a parent engagement specialist who seeks to strengthen the family unit through academic advocacy and coaching, parenting classes, counseling, support groups, and other learning opportunities that will engage the parents in their child’s education.

The program’s mission is to provide students of Pasadena Unified School District “an opportunity to rise above the challenges of their environment to become college-educated, responsible citizens of our community.”

More than 50 children are currently enrolled, with another 15 on waiting list, in the elementary STARS program at the Villa 500 Community Center and at Lake Avenue Church.

Officials say STARS students raise their academic scores by at least one grade level on average by the end of the academic year, with 100 percent of students staying in school.

Admission to the campus opening is free of charge. To register, go to http://www.eventbrite.com/e/ribbon-cutting-ceremony-and-celebration-tickets-12875965359.

Those who want to become tutors at STARS programs may fill up an application form at http://www.lakeavefoundation.org/volunteer/application. Tutoring is held Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Montrose Church is located at 1480 E. Washington Blvd. For more information, call (626) 449-4960 or visit http://www.lakeavefoundation.org/stars.