Reading Memorial High School Internship Program Delivers Exceptional Results, Transforming Students Into Workforce-Ready Professionals

Reading, MA — As the 2025-2026 school year draws to a close, Reading Memorial High School is proud to celebrate another outstanding year for its student internship program. With over 150 interns at sites spanning healthcare, engineering, education, finance, law, public safety, real estate, fitness, and the trades, the data tells a clear and compelling story: this program is working, and its impact on students is profound.

By the Numbers: A Program That Delivers

Mentor feedback this year revealed near-unanimous satisfaction across every key dimension of the internship experience:

• 94% of mentors rated interns a 4 or 5 out of 5 for overall progress, durable skill development, contribution, and willingness to hire.
• 90% rated interns a 4 or 5 out of 5 for workforce readiness.
• 94% rated their overall experience with the internship program a 4 or 5 out of 5.

These numbers reflect not just individual student achievement, but a program that has refined and strengthened its approach year over year producing results that rival what many college internship programs aspire to achieve.

Students Making Real Contributions

What makes this program exceptional is not just the ratings, it’s the stories behind them. At Joshua Eaton Elementary School, intern Cole Fusco stepped in when his supervising teacher had to leave for a family emergency, running the phonics lesson and read-aloud without hesitation, impressing every adult in the building. At Treeline Inc., intern Kaylie Fantasia earned a summer social media contract before her internship was even finished. At M.A.R.C. Network, intern Gavin Fucarile volunteered at two nonprofit fundraising events beyond his assigned responsibilities. At Killam Elementary School, intern Azra Kadric was placed in an elementary multilingual learner classroom, where she drew on her own experience immigrating from Bosnia to form powerful connections with students navigating that same journey. And at Reading Police Department, intern Jonathan Lee was granted access to training programs typically reserved for college-level interns.

What Mentors Are Saying

“This is my third year doing this program and it’s getting better and better!” — Fitzgerald Physical Therapy Associates

“Our intern seamlessly became part of our professional team very quickly.” — RISE Preschool

“I only wish the internship lasted longer!” — Joshua Eaton Elementary School

Across all evaluations, mentors highlighted the same core strengths: reliability, communication, teamwork, initiative, adaptability, and leadership: the durable skills that employers across every industry identify as the foundation of long-term career success. Students don’t just observe the professional world in this program; they participate in it, take on real responsibilities, and return to school with greater clarity about their futures.

What Makes Us Stand Out

Before each internship begins, the RMHS team brings every student and mentor together to align on expectations, introduce the program staff as a direct point of contact, and have students identify five durable skills they want to develop—ensuring everyone starts on the same page and that growth is intentional and measurable from day one.

That structure shows in the results. Mentors don’t just rate students highly at the end—81% gave their intern the highest possible score for willingness to hire, meaning more than 8 in 10 would bring their intern on as an employee without hesitation. That’s not a participation ribbon; it’s a genuine professional endorsement from the people who worked alongside these students every day.

Calling All Local Businesses: Be Part of Spring 2027

RMHS is now looking ahead to Spring 2027 and inviting local business owners and professionals to sign up to host student interns. Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, education, technology, public service, the trades, or any other sector, your mentorship can make a lasting difference in a student’s life and bring your team fresh energy and real contributions in return.

Programs like this demonstrate the power of community partnerships in preparing the next generation of professionals, leaders, and changemakers. Reading is doing it right, and the results speak for themselves.

SAVE THE DATE: October 2, 2026 11:30 – 1:00 Internship Fair at RMHS. Claim your spot here.

To sign up as a host mentor for Spring 2027, visit the program sign-up form.

Or reach out to Meaghan Manos meaghan.manos@reading.k12.ma.us