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SALT LAKE CITY -- Most educators point to the third grade as the crucial time to get students reading on level. But Mt. Logan Middle School reaches students who fall through the cracks.
"When they get to the 6th grade with us, we find there are still a lot of them that are behind, whether it's developmental or environmental," says principal Michael Monson.
Mt. Logan's Literacy Academy identifies those students who struggle with reading and the English language and brings them up to grade level. Older students at the school coach them in reading. And coordinators with the AmeriCorps program oversee the academy and test the students' progress.
When they get to the 6th grade with us, we find there are still a lot of them that are behind, whether it's developmental or environmental.
–Principal Michael Monson.
They're seeing success. About 70 percent of the students who participate in the Academy tested proficient at the end of the year.
"This is huge for middle school students who fell through the cracks in the elementary schools they attended. They have a vehicle to catch up and become successful during their secondary school years," says AmeriCorps Director Gloria Skanchy.
As a Reader Reward, Chopper 5 landed at Mt. Logan Middle School to congratulate students and to help deliver $1,000 worth of books custom ordered for teenagers.
Students swarmed the field for the presentation. Academy students got to choose books to take home from a heaping pile on the field.
"I'm really excited," said student Kazlie Conrad. "I can read different books and see what I like."
For student Emily Valdez, it was a boost to see that people outside the school cared about helping her succeed in reading. "It makes you do better things in life and things you never imagined."
Big O Tires each week provides funding for the Reading Rewards. Owner Ryan Walker believes the partnership helps community prosperity in general as well as the students. "The more that these kids can learn, the better they can read, it just helps our whole economy in the future," he says.
Store manager Tracy Henry added, "I grew up here, so it's nice to give back to the community. I was one of those struggling kids in reading. So it's nice to see these kids get a little more help than they might normally get."
KSL's Read Today program identifies schools that earn the visits through successful efforts. To nominate your school, visit Readtoday.com.
