Maya, a bright and determined student, began her journey at Holy Family School in 2022, arriving with a unique set of challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic had significantly disrupted her early education, leaving her behind in crucial reading fundamentals. Despite attending local public schools, Maya hadn't received the focused attention she needed, causing her to fall further behind. Recognizing the need for a more nurturing and individualized environment, her mother made the pivotal decision to enroll her in Holy Family, drawn by our reputation for smaller class sizes, personalized attention, and comprehensive resources.
From the moment Maya stepped through our doors, she was enveloped by a community dedicated to her success. Within her first month, her third-grade teacher quickly recognized Maya's eagerness to learn, despite her struggles with basic reading skills, such as letter recognition. To precisely address her needs, her teacher arranged for kindergarten-level testing and assigned an aide to provide in-class support. The aide was able to introduce a tailored kindergarten curriculum, focusing on letters and sounds to build a stronger foundation for Maya's reading. Additionally, Holy Family's special education teacher worked closely with Maya, providing consistent and targeted tutoring. This collaborative effort among teachers, aides, and specialists was crucial to her progress. Weekly data collection allowed the team to monitor her development and adjust their support as needed.
The results of this dedicated approach were remarkable. By the end of her first year at Holy Family School, Maya's reading level had soared from kindergarten to nearly second grade, marking an impressive 33-point increase in her testing scores. Her progress continued its upward trajectory, and by the end of her second year at Holy Family, Maya's reading fluency had surpassed many of her fourth-grade peers. Maya's story is a testament to the power of individualized attention, a supportive community, and Holy Family’s tailored educational approach in helping students overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential.