“I’ve always had a good experience with the people of Allston,” Yu says. “The politics really stay outside of the Ed Portal.”

Lue emphasizes that the mentoring program is the heart of the Education Portal, where Harvard undergraduates work one on one and in small groups with first through 12th graders on math, science, writing, public speaking, and provide general homework help.

“It’s mentoring, not tutoring,” says Lue, adding that it is his hope that the undergraduates continue to work with the same students and families from semester to semester.

Each of the 17 mentors spends one afternoon a week at the Portal. Collectively, they work with more 90 local children.

Much of their work revolves around a discovery-based approach towards learning, with the children and the mentors designing and executing a variety of experiments.

Education Portal Coordinator Meaghan C. Fay also emphasizes the role the mentors have in fostering excitement about college among the young students it serves.

“It’s fantastic to have Harvard students introducing these kids to the idea of college at a very early age,” Fay says.

Many Allston residents say that the Ed Portal provides a valuable service.

Guoing Yan, the mother of a six-year-old boy who is mentored in science at the, says how much she enjoys the program.

“My son looks forward to this every week,” Yan says.

—Staff writer Sofia E. Groopman can be reached a segroopm@fas.harvard.edu.