Literacy in Action

First Draft Academy

Write on Sports Featured on GMA

About First Draft Academy

First Draft Academy is a nonprofit literacy organization dedicated to helping students from under-resourced communities strengthen their writing skills, critical thinking, and self-confidence through subjects that spark their curiosity. Using the lens of journalism, its Programs include Write on Sports, Write on Arts, and The Media Lab.

First Draft Academy delivers its programs through a flexible set of formats designed to meet the needs of students, schools, and community partners.

Our delivery models include two or three-week summer sessions, multi-week after-school programs, and single- or multi-session workshops. Through these authentic learning experiences, students have exposure to higher education, career pathways, and industry engagement.

First Draft Academy Programs

Program Delivery Models

Summer Session

Two and Three-week summer sessions

After School

Multi-week after school programs

Workshops

Single and multi-session workshops

Our Impact

First Draft Academy helps middle school students from underserved communities develop literacy skills and build self-confidence using the lens of sports and arts, and the tools of journalism.

Middle school students enhance their critical thinking and learn how to effectively tell stories at our writing programs.

Most of all, they learn that anything is possible with passion, effort, and the support of people who care.

News & Events

How Strengthened Writing Skills Extend Beyond The Classroom

April 20, 2026

Strong writing skills go far beyond the classroom; they shape how young people think, communicate, and express themselves every day. From grammar and structure to tone, creativity, and revision, writing helps students build confidence and sharpen critical thinking. Through programs like Write on Sports, Write on Arts, and Media Lab at First Draft Academy, students discover how writing connects to their passions and opens doors to future opportunities.

Books Build Better Writers: How to Turn Summer Reading into Summer Success!

March 17, 2026

Reading and writing strengthen each other, making summer reading essential for young writers. Even though getting kids to read over break can feel challenging, it’s absolutely achievable. Reading helps children absorb sentence structure, understand storytelling, and build stronger vocabularies that support their writing growth.

Every Champion Has a Beginning: Why Your Story Matters at Any Age

February 20, 2026

The heart of every success is a story waiting to be told and there is no age limit to becoming a champion.

Years of Success

Students Served

0 +

Communities Served

Teacher / Student Ratio

1 :1

Make an Impact Become a Corporate Sponsor

Corporate sponsorship of First Draft Academy’s many creative writing programs helps provide valuable opportunities for companies to support literacy skills for middle school students from underserved communities.

Change a student’s life, and give them a path to accomplish their dreams.

Great futures start here: YOU can make a difference!

First Draft Academy works with under-resourced communities and school districts, focusing on middle school students, to improve their literacy skills by tapping into their passion – sports, the arts or whatever makes them tick!

Team Players

The First Draft Academy Literacy Ambassadors are professional journalists and athletes who engage with students and support the organization’s growth throughout the year.