Students and mentors building paper towers together in a school cafeteria at a Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound event

About Level Up

Staff-led program

Level Up places a dedicated Lead Mentor inside the school, five days a week. Students get a steady, caring adult who listens, encourages, and believes in them, right where their day happens.

Level Up is a school-embedded mentoring model first developed by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound (BBBSPS) launched it in fall 2025 at Baker Middle School in Tacoma, in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools. This year it also serves students at Broadview-Thomson K-8 in Seattle.

Level Up school mentoring: mentors and students working together on a paper tower at a school event

How it works

  • Lead Mentors are BBBSPS employees, not volunteers.
  • Mentors support students one-to-one or in small groups, depending on what each student needs.
  • Mentors stay closely connected with school staff and families.

Who it serves, and how students join

Level Up is built for students in grades 6 through 8. It currently serves students at Baker Middle School and Broadview-Thomson K-8. Students come to Level Up through school referrals, and from parents who feel it may be a good fit for their child. Families cannot sign a child up through this website, and Level Up does not take volunteer mentors, because every Lead Mentor is a BBBSPS employee.

Level Up students and mentors building a paper tower together in a school cafeteria
Students gathered around a tall paper tower at a Level Up school mentoring event

What we are seeing

First-year reach
107

Students served at Baker Middle School, above the goal of 100.

(LOCAL: BBBSPS program data, 2025-26 school year.)

Every school day
5

Days a week a Lead Mentor is on campus.

Two schools
2

Baker Middle School in Tacoma and Broadview-Thomson K-8 in Seattle.

A Level Up Lead Mentor and a student talking and laughing together in a classroom

Students reported growth in belonging, confidence, and their vision for the future. Baker’s Vice Principal credited the program with improved attendance, stronger behavior, and a renewed sense of belonging across the school.

“When caring adults consistently show up, listen, encourage, and believe in young people, they begin to see new possibilities for their own future.”Monique Dubose, Regional Director of Tacoma, BBBSPS

Support Level Up

Because Level Up mentors are paid staff, giving is how the community makes it possible. Your gift helps more students have a mentor in their corner at school.

Give to Level UpRead the first-year story

A Level Up Lead Mentor and a student sharing a hug in a school classroom