Aspire Education Project was founded as a nonprofit in the fall of 2005 in order to bring high quality supplementary academic support to students who do not readily have access to private tutoring. We provide academic tutoring and standardized test preparation to students in their homes, at after-school centers and in partnership with other organizations. We also coordinate after-school programs at both public and private schools in the East Bay and manage the Community Reading Buddies literacy program.

Aspire Education Project grew out of founding director Matthew Hulse’s private tutoring business. After many years teaching in public schools in Oakland and other East Bay cities and an equal amount of time working as a private tutor and test prep educator, Matthew wanted an organization that would bring the same level of quality and commitment to students at underperforming schools in economically disadvantaged areas that he and his tutors were providing elsewhere. Working with Aleka Calsoyas, Director of Operations and Finance, and a small team of dedicated board members and staff he expanded the organization in three years to where it is today. Now, Aspire Education Project has a pool of over 25 trained educators that serve hundreds of students both in their homes and at after-school centers. Students whose families can not afford market rates receive reduced price tutoring and Aspire Education Project collaborates with partner organizations to provide test preparation classes to groups of promising students from struggling schools. Aspire Education Project will continue to expand and adapt in order to best address the academic needs of students in the East Bay.