High schools may often be rivals on the field or court, but sometimes an academic opportunity is so impactful that it transcends competition and fosters collaboration. Milford High School’s Writing Center is one such example—a peer-to-peer tutoring program so successful that Miamisburg High School didn’t just want to replicate it; they needed to see it in action firsthand.
“We've got a pretty established program here,” said Joe Claus, English teacher at Milford High School. “Our Writing Center is based on the model of a college Writing Center, where students act as consultants and help their peers with writing assignments from any subject.”
The Milford High School Writing Center is a student-led initiative where peer tutors, or consultants, assist fellow students with writing assignments from any subject. It provides a collaborative environment where students can seek feedback on their work in various classes.
"It could be a lab report or a history paper. Any student in the building can submit their work for review," he added. Claus believes that the program builds students’ confidence by giving them leadership roles. “Not every school has this opportunity, and it’s a great way for students to develop skills that can even lead to jobs in college writing centers.”
In exchange for their hard work, student consultants earn English elective credit, offering not only academic incentive but also the opportunity to develop leadership skills during class hours.
Betsy Woods, English Department Chair at Milford, has been integral to the Writing Center’s success. She shared that this is the 13th year of the program, which continues to grow and evolve. Miamisburg High School is just starting its own Writing Center, and their visit to Milford offered a first-hand look at how a peer-led program can flourish.
“Our Writing Center is one of the largest in the area, and it's completely student-led. We focus on creating a writing culture where students help each other grow as writers,” explained Woods. "It's important to maintain a student-led environment because it gives them autonomy and leadership in an academic space, which is not always easy to find in high school."
Milford’s Writing Center is not just about editing papers—it also offers additional activities, such as writing competitions and community engagement projects. Betsy also mentioned that the Greater Cincinnati Foundation recently awarded them a grant to foster connections among local high school writing centers.
The students from Miamisburg had a chance to observe mock consultations, tour the Writing Center’s physical space, and learn about its operations. One of the highlights of the center’s approach is its focus on face-to-face and asynchronous consultations, making it adaptable to different student needs.
One of the visiting students, Mirna Hourani, a senior at Brook High School, was eager to bring these ideas back to her own school. Along with 35 other visitors, she practiced reviewing mock essays filled with errors in Milford’s library.
"It was really fun,” she said. “The consultant was super nice and helpful, and it was great to see how they handle the process of reviewing and editing papers in a short period of time."
Mirna has been involved in peer tutoring at her school and looks forward to taking on a leadership role as a Writing Center consultant.
Already involved in peer tutoring at her school, Mirna is excited to take on a leadership role as a Writing Center consultant. "I’ve always loved editing and helping others improve their writing, and I’m excited to be part of a program like this at Miamisburg," she shared. Although initially nervous about visiting a new school, Mirna said that Milford’s students were welcoming, and the experience helped put her at ease.
After being peer-reviewed themselves, these future consultants are now ready to draft a new chapter for their own school’s Writing Center.
