Partnering with Schools

A Community-Based Solution for Literacy Intervention

At Strands of Accelerated Reading (SOAR), we understand the literacy challenges schools are facing today. Teachers are under immense pressure to help every student succeed, even when some are struggling with the foundational literacy skills needed to thrive. Administrators know that literacy is the gateway to academic success, yet they also recognize the limits of what schools can do with existing resources.

This is where SOAR provides a solution. We don’t replace classroom instruction; instead, we partner with schools to provide targeted, one-on-one literacy intervention for students who are falling behind. By addressing gaps in foundational skills, we help students catch up quickly, build confidence, and excel in all subjects.

Why Foundational Literacy Skills Are Critical

Foundational literacy skills are developed primarily in grades K–3. These include phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—the essential building blocks for future learning. By fourth grade, students transition from learning to read to reading to learn, a critical milestone in academic growth.

When foundational skills are incomplete at this stage, students can struggle across subjects, from reading comprehension to science and social studies. The longer these gaps persist, the harder remediation becomes. Research shows the leading reason students are not reading at grade level is that foundational literacy skills were never fully mastered.

Addressing these gaps early is the key to reversing the literacy crisis, and literacy intervention programs like SOAR are proven to make a measurable difference.

How SOAR Supports Schools and Students

Strands of Accelerated Reading specializes in closing literacy gaps with a structured, research-based approach. Here’s how our one-on-one literacy intervention works:

Comprehensive Literacy Assessments

Each student referred to SOAR begins with a detailed literacy assessment. This evaluation identifies missing foundational skills and provides a roadmap for personalized instruction. By understanding a student’s unique needs, we ensure that our interventions are precise, effective, and efficient.

Targeted, Evidence-Based Instruction

Using the Science of Reading, our instructors provide individualized, multisensory instruction to strengthen foundational skills. By focusing on the specific gaps revealed in assessments, students gain confidence as they master critical reading concepts. This approach ensures that progress is not only fast but lasting.

Transparent Communication and Collaboration

SOAR maintains full transparency with schools. Progress data is shared with reading specialists, interventionists, and special education teachers, ensuring alignment with classroom instruction. This collaborative approach maximizes the impact of every intervention and strengthens student outcomes.

Accelerated Learning and Independence

Our goal is to help students become independent, confident readers. SOAR’s literacy intervention is designed to accelerate learning until students have mastered foundational skills, after which they return fully prepared to succeed in the classroom without ongoing tutoring.

A Case Study: The Power of One-on-One Literacy Intervention

A fourth-grade student was referred to SOAR after struggling with reading comprehension and falling behind in other subjects. Our assessment revealed gaps in phonics and fluency. Through individualized, one-on-one instruction, the student closed these gaps and began accelerating once the foundational skills were firmly in place.

Within months, the student’s classroom performance improved dramatically. They began participating confidently in discussions, engaging with grade-level material, and regaining enthusiasm for learning. This example demonstrates the power of targeted literacy intervention in transforming academic outcomes.

Expertise That Makes a Difference

SOAR is proud to be the only IMSE-powered literacy center in New York. Our instructors include highly trained professionals, including three of only 80 Level 4 Master Instructors in the United States, among them our CEO, Suzanne Pollutro. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher, literacy coach, and administrator, Suzanne is certified to train educators nationwide in the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE) curriculum, ensuring every student receives instruction rooted in research and best practices.

This depth of expertise sets SOAR apart as a leader in evidence-based literacy intervention.

Partnering with Schools and Families

SOAR is designed to complement—not replace—school instruction. By providing targeted, individualized literacy support, we help students catch up while aligning fully with classroom teaching.

Administrators who connect families with SOAR give students a powerful opportunity to close skill gaps quickly. Parents see measurable progress as their children master foundational literacy skills, build confidence, and engage more fully in school.

For schools, SOAR provides a trusted partner in the fight against the literacy crisis, delivering one-on-one intervention that supports teachers and maximizes student outcomes.

The SOAR Difference

In today’s educational landscape, teachers and schools are stretched thin, yet the need for effective literacy intervention has never been greater. SOAR offers a community-based solution that ensures no student falls behind.

Our approach is comprehensive and research-based:

• Detailed literacy assessments identify gaps and guide instruction.
  
  
• Targeted, individualized interventions help students master foundational skills quickly.
  
  
• Transparent collaboration with schools ensures alignment and maximizes impact.
  
  
• Accelerated learning empowers students to achieve independence and long-term success.
  
  

The results speak for themselves. Students leave SOAR equipped to read, comprehend, and thrive academically. They gain confidence, enthusiasm for learning, and the skills to engage fully in all classroom activities.

Literacy Is the Foundation—SOAR Helps Students Soar

Literacy is the cornerstone of academic success, career readiness, and lifelong learning. At Strands of Accelerated Reading, we are committed to giving every student the foundational skills they need to succeed.

Through one-on-one literacy intervention, SOAR partners with schools and families to close gaps, accelerate learning, and empower students to reach their full potential. By working together, we can ensure that students not only strengthen their literacy skills—they soar in every subject, every classroom, and every stage of learning.

When schools and families choose SOAR, they choose a proven, research-based literacy solution. Literacy is the foundation, and with SOAR, students don’t just read—they thrive.