Below, you’ll find examples of how LearnUp students read before enrolling in our tutoring program, alongside videos that capture their progress throughout the program. Listen and observe the transformation as these students gain confidence and independence in their reading abilities.
Reading isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey—every student starts at a different point. On this page, we’ve organized real examples of students by their “Start” level and grade range—whether they’re in lower elementary, upper elementary, middle, or high school.
Non-Readers (Start 1)
Typically, Start 1 students have not mastered their letter sounds and are unable to consistently read one-syllable words.
Start 1 Elementary School: Beberly (3rd Grade)
Meet Beberly, 3rd Grader. Watch her intake assessment. She read 33 words correct per minute (wcpm) in a Kindergarten level text. By her 130th session, she was reading at 115 wcpm at a 5.0 grade level, demonstrating amazing progress!
Start 1 Upper Elementary: Esteysi (4th Grade)
Meet Esteysi, 4th Grade. Here is her intake assessment. She read 15 words correct per minute (wcpm) in a Kindergarten level text. By her 60th session, she was reading at 56 wcpm at a 3.1 grade level!
Early-Readers (Start 2)
Typically, Start 2 students can read many one-syllable words with support.
Start 2 Elementary School: Arrow (1st Grade)
Meet Arrow. Arrow was assessed as a 1st grader, but was not able to consistently attend LearnUp due to limited school and family resources. Over the next couple of years, Arrow attended LearnUp as an independent student and through the SFUSD. As a 5th grader, he exited the program after 130 hours. He could read 6th grade text at 84 wcpm.
Start 2 Upper Elementary: Dash (4th Grade)
Meet Dash, 4th Grade. Here is his intake assessment. He could read. When Dash enrolled in LearnUp, they were reading 2 wcpm at the 1st grade level. Dash is now reading 77 words correct per minute (wcpm) at a 4.7 grade level in our decodable books.
Start 2 High School: JP (9th Grade)
When JP enrolled in LearnUp, he was reading 102 wcpm at the 0.6 grade level, and while his fluency felt fast, his ability to read and comprehend at grade level was low. After 80 sessions, JP is now reading 96 words correct per minute (wcpm) at a 4.8 grade level in our decodable books. And though he still has a way to go to become a grade level reader, JP can now read independently.
Emerging Readers (Start 3)
Typically, Start 3 students able to read two-syllable words with support.
Start 3 Elementary School: Casper (2nd Grade)
Meet 2nd grader Casper. In 40 hours of tutoring, Casper’s reading improved by 2.0 grade levels.
We’re just getting started! Right now, you’ll find examples from Starts 1 through 3. We’re working hard to add more examples and stories across all levels, so check back soon!
