826 National

826 National amplifies the impact of our national network of youth writing and publishing centers, and the words of young authors. We serve as an international proof point for writing as a tool for young people to ignite and channel their creativity, explore identity, advocate for themselves and their community, and achieve academic and professional success.

470K

Students served

11K

Total Instructional hours

15K

Educators served via Digital

1.3K

Student publications

5K

Published students

720

Educator collaborators and teaching artists

2K

Active Volunteers

89%

Students of color

70%

Students from low-income families

Our students’ words will make you smile, think, sigh, cry so hard you laugh, and laugh so much you cry. Get ready to be inspired.

Read Student Work Here.

Join 826 Digital, our free online platform for all educators featuring writing curriculum that inspires students to write with confidence.

Grades 6-12

Poetry

“The Hill We Climb”

Students discuss the 2021 inaugural poem by Amanda Gorman and write their own poems in response to "The Hill We Climb."

Spark

Grades 6-12

Narrative

A Place Worth Being

By Jason Reynolds

Students will write a personal narrative where they describe themselves as a place. Not a specific place, but all the things a "place" consists of.

Spark

Grades 7-12

Narrative, Poetry

Last Times

By Amanda Gorman

Students recall “last times” in their lives and revisit the depth of their experience through writing.

Spark

Grades 6-10

Poetry, Visual, Performing Media Arts

Poets in Revolt!

By Ola Faleti, 826CHI

The pen is mightier than the sword. In this lesson, students learn there's no better evidence of this than the poetry behind social movements.

Lesson

Grades 3-6

Narrative, Persuasive

Dream Schools

By Ashley Smith, 826 Valencia

Students design dream schools filled with creative and imaginative elements to improve learning, complete with origin stories, illustrated designs, and sales pitches.

Project

Grades 6-8

Narrative, Visual, Performing, and Media Arts

The Illustrated Word

By Jillian Wasick, 826 Valencia

In this activity, students illustrate a favorite word and explore what makes words meaningful through illustration, research, and discussion.

Spark

826 In The News

Writing and Research: The Truth About Writing Education in America

January 22, 2021

In our new report “The Truth About Writing Education in America: Let’s Write, Make Things Right,” 826 National set out to understand the barriers to effective and accessible writing instruction for American students. While writing and the freedom it provides … Continue reading →

Chapter Highlights

Fostering civic engagement through writing

October 30, 2020

At 826, our work is centered on elevating youth voices by offering tools and platforms for self-expression. Through thought-provoking writing projects and lessons, we invite students to think critically about the world we live in and join the conversation around … Continue reading →

Get Involved

Support 826 National and the power of youth voices this holiday season

November 27, 2020

Writing is an act of joy and freedom. It has the power to open doors and catalyze new possibilities for young people. Through pencils, pens, and keyboards, our students conjure universes, build understanding and empathy, and write their paths forward. … Continue reading →

Supporting 826 National means supporting young writers like Amanda Gorman across the nation. Join us as we #WriteTheFuture!

470K

11K

15K

1.3K

5K

720

2K

89%

70%

Our students’ words will make you smile, think, sigh, cry so hard you laugh, and laugh so much you cry. Get ready to be inspired.

Join 826 Digital, our free online platform for all educators featuring writing curriculum that inspires students to write with confidence.

Writing and Research: The Truth About Writing Education in America

Fostering civic engagement through writing

Support 826 National and the power of youth voices this holiday season