Question 1

Why 5 sessions per week? Can't we start with fewer?

Accepted Answer

Reading gaps are caused by insufficient exposure to structured literacy instruction. One or two sessions per week maintains the gap — it doesn't close it. Research on intensive literacy intervention consistently shows that frequency is the primary driver of accelerated progress. At 5 sessions per week, the brain has enough repetition to build automaticity. At 1–2 sessions per week, students spend most of each session re-learning what they forgot between sessions. We recommend a minimum of 3 sessions per week for any meaningful progress, and 5 sessions per week for students with significant gaps (2+ years behind) — which is our standard.

Question 2

How do you know students reach grade level in about 6 months?

Accepted Answer

The 12-week timeline is grounded in research on structured literacy intervention intensity, including Orton-Gillingham-based program studies and National Reading Panel findings on phonics instruction dose. A real student in our program went from the 15th to the 46th percentile in Passage Reading Fluency in just 30 hours — and is projected to reach end-of-grade-level fluency by 60 hours. At 5 sessions per week (5 hrs/week), that's 12 weeks. The specific range: a student 1 year behind typically needs 48–60 hours; a student 2+ years behind with multiple diagnoses may need 80–120 hours. We assess every 10 sessions and give you a running estimate of hours remaining to grade level.

Question 3

What is 'structured literacy' and why does it work for my child?

Accepted Answer

Structured literacy is an evidence-based approach to reading instruction that is explicit, systematic, sequential, and multisensory. It directly teaches phonemic awareness, phonics, syllable patterns, morphology, syntax, and comprehension. It is the approach recommended by the International Dyslexia Association and endorsed by the Science of Reading movement. It works for students with dyslexia, ADHD, ASD, and language disorders because it leaves nothing to chance — every skill is taught directly, practiced to automaticity, and built upon in a logical sequence. It is the opposite of 'whole language' or 'balanced literacy' approaches that assume students will pick up reading naturally.

Question 4

What does a typical session look like?

Accepted Answer

Every session follows the same structure, which reduces cognitive load and builds routine — especially important for students with ADHD and ASD. The sequence: (1) Warm-up review of previously learned phonics patterns (5 min); (2) New phonics concept introduction with multisensory practice (15 min); (3) Word reading and spelling practice with the new pattern (10 min); (4) Fluency practice with decodable text (10 min); (5) Comprehension and vocabulary work (10 min); (6) Wrap-up and parent communication (5 min). Sessions are 45–60 minutes. For students with ADHD, we build in a movement break between segments.

Question 5

How do you match students into groups?

Accepted Answer

Every student is placed based on three factors: (1) Reading level — we use a structured literacy screener to identify exactly which phonics patterns, fluency benchmarks, and comprehension skills the student has mastered and which are missing. (2) Diagnosis profile — students with similar learning profiles (e.g., dyslexia + ADHD vs. ASD + language disorder) are grouped together so the instructor can use consistent pacing and sensory strategies across the group. (3) Schedule fit — we match within your preferred time slot. Groups are capped at 5 students. If no existing group is a strong match, we'll either open a new group or recommend 1:1 until a matched group forms. You'll never be placed in a group that isn't right for your child.

Question 6

Does my child qualify for the FES-UA scholarship?

Accepted Answer

Your child likely qualifies for FES-UA if they have any of the following: an active IEP (Individualized Education Program), a 504 Plan, a formal diagnosis of dyslexia, ADHD, ASD, a language disorder, or another qualifying disability. The FES-UA scholarship provides up to $10,307 per year and can be used for our services directly through the EMA marketplace. We are an approved FES-UA provider. If you're not sure whether your child qualifies, book a free consultation — we'll review their documentation and tell you exactly what they're eligible for.

Question 7

How does the scholarship billing work?

Accepted Answer

Once your child is enrolled in the FES-UA program through Step Up For Students and you've added us as your provider on the EMA marketplace, we bill the scholarship directly for each session. You do not pay out of pocket for covered sessions. Reimbursement from SUFS typically takes 30–60 days after the first billing cycle. We offer a scholarship bridge payment plan to cover sessions during that initial waiting period so your child can start immediately without delay.

Question 8

What if we don't qualify for a scholarship?

Accepted Answer

Cost should never be the reason a child doesn't get the help they need. For families who don't qualify for FES-UA or New Worlds, we offer two main paths: (1) Tuition Solution financing — 0% interest for up to 12 months, or low-interest plans spread over 3–5 years. Most families are approved same day. (2) Flexible payment plans — weekly auto-pay, bi-weekly installments, or a pre-paid intensive package. During your free consultation, we'll walk through every option and find what works for your family.

Question 9

What is Tuition Solution and how does the financing work?

Accepted Answer

Tuition Solution is our financing partner for families who want to spread out the cost of instruction. It works like a medical payment plan — you apply online in minutes, and most families receive same-day approval. Two options are available: (1) Interest-free financing for up to 12 months — pay nothing extra if paid in full within the term. (2) Extended financing over 3–5 years at low interest rates — for families who need smaller monthly payments over a longer period. This is especially useful for families who have partially used their scholarship funds and need to cover the remaining balance. Ask us about Tuition Solution during your free consultation and we'll walk you through the application.

Question 10

Can we use New Worlds and FES-UA together?

Accepted Answer

No — families use one scholarship at a time. However, New Worlds families who also have an IEP or qualifying diagnosis should apply for FES-UA, which provides significantly more funding ($10,307 vs. $1,200). We'll help you assess which scholarship is the better fit during your consultation. If your child is currently on New Worlds and you discover they qualify for FES-UA, we can help you transition.

Question 11

How quickly can my child start?

Accepted Answer

For scholarship families, we can typically start within 1–2 weeks of your consultation call — the main variable is how quickly the EMA scholarship authorization is processed. For private pay or payment plan families, we can often start within the same week as your consultation. During your free consultation, we'll give you a specific start date estimate based on your child's situation.

Question 12

What documentation do we need to bring to the consultation?

Accepted Answer

For the consultation call, it's helpful (but not required) to have: your child's most recent IEP or 504 Plan, any psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation reports, recent school report cards or progress reports, and any previous reading assessment results. If you don't have these, don't worry — we can work with what you have and help you identify what additional documentation might be needed for scholarship applications.

Question 13

Do you offer a trial session or assessment before committing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. After your free consultation call, we offer a paid diagnostic session ($125 for 1:1 virtual) where our instructor conducts a structured literacy assessment, identifies your child's specific skill gaps, and gives you a written report with a recommended program plan. This assessment can be used to inform your child's IEP goals and is covered by FES-UA for eligible families. Many families find this assessment alone is worth the investment.

Question 14

Do you have sessions after school hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes — our 5–6pm After-School Bridge slot runs 5 days per week and is available as 1:1 or small groups of 3–5. It's designed for students who attend summer camp or have daytime commitments. The slot is fully covered by FES-UA and New Worlds scholarships. It also serves as a bridge into the Summer Intensive — students who start now in the 5–6pm slot earn hours toward their 60/90/120-hour recommendation before June 8th, so they hit the ground running when the summer program begins.

Question 15

Can my child receive sessions at their school during the school day?

Accepted Answer

Yes — for families who find after-school scheduling difficult, we work with a network of partner schools in Miami-Dade County that allow our instructors to come on-site during the school day. Your child leaves class for their session (similar to how a student would leave for speech therapy or ESE pull-out services), then returns to class when it's done. This means zero impact on your family's after-school schedule. Not every school is currently in our partner network, but we're actively expanding. Ask us during your free consultation whether your child's school is already a partner — or whether we can reach out to add them.

Question 16

What technology does my child need for virtual sessions?

Accepted Answer

Virtual sessions run on Zoom. Your child needs: (1) A device with a camera and microphone — a tablet, laptop, or desktop all work well. Phones are not recommended due to screen size. (2) A stable internet connection — we recommend at least 10 Mbps download speed. (3) A quiet space with minimal distractions — especially important for students with ADHD. We recommend headphones. Before your child's first session, our team will do a 10-minute tech check to confirm everything is working and walk your child through the platform. We also use a shared digital whiteboard during sessions so students can write, trace, and interact with materials the same way they would in person.

Question 17

What if my child has tried reading programs before and they didn't work?

Accepted Answer

This is the most common thing we hear. Most programs that 'didn't work' were either not intensive enough (1x/week is almost never sufficient), not structured enough (whole language or balanced literacy approaches are not evidence-based for students with learning differences), or not individualized enough (group programs that don't adapt to the student's specific profile). Our program is different because it is intensive (5x/week), structured (Orton-Gillingham-based), and individualized (every instructor is K-12 ESE certified and trained in complex cases). We specialize in the students who've been told 'we've tried everything.'

Grade-Level Ready in 12 Weeks.

What progress looks like, week by week

Assess & Launch

Foundation Locks In

Visible Acceleration