It may sound obvious, but sometimes the best place to help a child realize their potential is at school. Kids enjoy having their Bigs meet with them there, whether it’s in the classroom or on the playground. And parents know what a positive impact it makes.

School-Based matches meet each week at the Littles’ elementary schools for about an hour, taking part in activities like sports, arts and crafts, board games, reading books, doing puzzles and everything in between. Professional BBBSMM staff and School-Based Coordinators provide constant, on-site support to matches to ensure child safety and help matches form a trusting bond with each other.

School-Based Bigs are asked to commit at least a year to their Little, over time sharing experiences, having fun, and building a friendship that can last a lifetime!

It’s teacher-approved.
Some of the biggest supporters of our School-Based Mentoring program are actually teachers. They see students come back from their time with their Big filled with confidence, smiling big, ready to learn and eager to succeed.

Learning about life.
Although it takes place at schools, our School-Based Mentoring program isn’t limited to the classroom. Of course, some Littles do talk with their Bigs about class, or do homework, or read together, but it’s perfectly fine to shoot hoops in the gym or play on the playground. At the end of the day, it’s really all about starting a friendship, providing guidance and inspiring them to reach their potential.

At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we have tremendous confidence in our ability to impact children and put them on the right path. But it means even more when an outside study comes to the same conclusion. Click to learn more about our Nationwide School-Based Mentoring Study.

Where Are Our School and Site-Based Programs?

Kennebec County:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley (Gardiner Area High School)

Gilbert Elementary School (Cony High School)

Atwood Primary & Williams Elementary (ShineOnCass Programs: Messalonskee High School)

Alfond Youth Community Center (ShineOnCass Program: Messalonskee High School, Winlsow High School, Waterville Senior High School and Lawrence High School)

Somerset County: 

Margaret Chase Smith & Bloomfield Elementary (Skowhegan High School)

Lincoln County:

Great Salt Bay Community School & Nobleboro Central School (Lincoln Academy)

Miller School (Medomak Valley High School)

Boothbay Elementary School (Boothbay Regional High School)

Knox County: 

Warren Community School (Medomak Valley High School)

South School (Oceanside High School)

Camden-Rockport Elementary (Camden Hills Regional High School)

Waldo County:

Lincolnville Elementary School (Camden Hills Regional High School)

Leroy Smith School (Hampden Academy)

Penobscot County: 

Bangor Boys & Girls Club (Husson University)

Leonard Middle School, Lewis Libby, & Old Town Elementary (University of Maine)

Androscoggin County:

Connors Elementary (Bates College)

Washburn Elementary (Edward Little High School)