Classroom Champions
18 classrooms at nine schools have a designated Royals Player as a Classroom Champion. Inaugural Classroom Champions are – Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, Alec Marsh, Dairon Blanco, MJ Melendez.
Royals Literacy League
What is the Royals Literacy League?
The Inspiration Pilot Program
The Royals Literacy League is designed to build excitement around reading and literacy in elementary-aged students in public schools in Kansas City, while providing additional support to, and appreciation for, the educators that serve them. It is a partnership between The Kansas City Royals, The Kansas City Royals Foundation, the Sherman Family Foundation, and SchoolSmartKC, and nine area KC Public and Charter schools.
Crown Libraries
All nine pilot program schools, The K, the KC Urban Youth Academy have a Crown Library for kids and families to take from and add their favorite books. The Royals partner with Turn the Page KC and host book drives to restock the books monthly.
Book Club at the Ballpark
Students and families from the nine pilot schools were invited to Kauffman Stadium for book club at the ballpark. They read on the field, had dinner, and met with community partners including an opportunity to secure a library card.
Overview Video
Literacy for All Students
In partnership with QuikTrip and the Kansas City Royals Foundation, the Kansas City Royals are supporting the nine Royals Literacy League Pilot Schools with over $3.7 million in grants over the next four years. These grants will support literacy efforts including providing instructional coaches, high-dosage tutoring, partnering with parent and KC Literacy organization to increase literacy rates by 10 percentage points. The percentage increase will be tracked through state test data.
Why is reading at level important?
Hit the Books
What is it?
QuikTrip and the Kansas City Royals have come together to launch “Hit the Books,” a program focused on improving literacy rates across the Kansas City community, including a significant investment to public schools in Kansas City as well as a book donation for every Royals hit each season.
QT in the Community
Since its founding in 1958, QuikTrip invests five percent of profits back into the communities it serves, with a historic focus on serving at-risk youth and education partners. With more than 31,000 employees, QuikTrip has consistently received national recognition as a top place to work as well as one of the top convenience store marketers in product quality and friendly service.
Summer Enrichment Program
In partnership with the Sherman Family Foundation and The Kansas City Royals Foundation, in 2024, the Summer Enrichment Program provides students from the Pilot Schools access to visit the Rabbit Hole – Kansas City’s new immersive literacy museum.
How you can make an impact
Donate to The Kansas City Royals Foundation in support of Literacy and Education.
Support our libraries by donating books or organizing a book drive. Contact us to set up a drop-off time.
Mentor a child by reading once a week through our partners at Lead to Read.