Leading With Literacy

Reading Foundations

Strong reading skills unlock entire worlds of possibility. K12-powered schools engage learners through interactive curriculum, research-backed methods, and a vast online library, helping spark a love of reading for life.

A boy sits on the floor surrounded by books and a globe, engaged in learning and exploration.

Guaranteed Results

Being able to read on grade level by the end of 3rd grade is critical for a child’s educational success and future development. That’s why K12 guarantees that students who continuously attend a K12-powered school for grades 1–3 will read on grade level by the end of 3rd grade. If not, we will provide extra support for those learners until they read on level, at no cost to you.*

Learn more about the reading guarantee and eligibility requirements.

Celebrate with us!

National Reading Month

March is the month we revel in the joys of reading—even more than throughout the rest of the year! To help inform and inspire, we’ve put together some resources and suggestions on how you can join in the fun!

To get started, check out our all-new K12 Reading Month Calendar with a new reading related activity each day!

View Calendar

EXPANSIVE ONLINE LIBRARY

A Book for Every Reader

Our digital library has thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles that students can read on any smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer. The ever-growing collection includes many titles with end-of-book quizzes to help students develop critical thinking skills.

We also feature classic literature in our English Language Arts courses. These titles help entertain, engage, and inspire readers of all ages as they learn to analyze stories with their teachers and peers.

K12’s Approach to Teaching Reading

K12-powered schools balance engaging online lessons, live instruction, an expansive online library, and supplemental tools to make reading a joyful experience! Here’s how:

Award-Winning Curriculum

During the early elementary years, K12’s curriculum focuses on phonics, sight words, and vocabulary while building comprehension through reading aloud, independently and in groups.

With curriculum that’s always available and the combined support of certified online teachers and Learning Coaches, students can practice reading more often. Learning Coaches have greater visibility into what students are learning and can read to them to enhance their development.

Engaging Learning Tools

Students at K12-powered schools have access to a variety of supplemental resources to help with reading, including:

  • Minecraft Education, which features immersive library worlds based on the U.S. Library of Congress.
  • Educational software for reading remediation that personalizes instruction and mastery-based activities to make learning to read an exciting adventure for every student.
  • K12 Skills Arcade, an award-winning learning solution that customizes practice sessions to each child’s needs and rewards learning with games.

Teaching Tools

K12-powered teachers are specially trained to teach in the online classroom building on best practices for effective and data-driven instruction for each student.

Performance assessments built into our curriculum help teachers understand where your child excels and where they can grow. These regular evaluations help determine if your child is hitting reading milestones and guide any tweaks needed to keep them on the right track!

Reading Resources

For a primer on the importance of early literacy and how to help nurture, strengthen, and assess your child’s reading skills, download this free booklet of helpful content and use it to guide your efforts in supporting their education.

Download Now

Literacy Talks

Stay up to date on the latest literacy discussions with our podcast!

Your Child’s Future Depends on Strong Reading Skills image 1 (name WIWTK K12.com PodcastPage Thumbnail 360x216 AlliahAgostini)

WIWTK

Why does representation matter in children’s literature?

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Your Child’s Future Depends on Strong Reading Skills image 2 (name WIWTK K12.com PodcastPage Thumbnail 360x216 GreigMetzger)

WIWTK

How can books build community?

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WIWTK_ OliverJames

WIWTK

How can learning to read change lives?

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How can books introduce kids to tough topics?

WIWTK

How can books introduce kids to tough topics?

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How can comic books and visual media help kids enjoy reading PODCAST

WIWTK

How can comic books and visual media help kids enjoy reading?

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Can poetry help inspire a love of reading in students PODCAST

WIWTK

Can poetry help inspire a love of reading in students?

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What is behind the push to ban books PODCAST

WIWTK

What is behind the push to ban books?

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What is the role of the library in the digital age PODCAST

WIWTK

What is the role of the library in the digital age?

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Hear What Others Are Saying

Ava

2025 K12-powered student**

“… when I was younger, I hated reading. I was struggling so much in reading that I had to get help. Then, I don’t know really what fostered it. I think I read a book I really fell in love with, and I wanted to read more. And every time we go to the store … I have to go check the book section. I love reading; I think it’s one of my favorite pastimes.”

Zoey

2024 K12-powered student***

“I like to read. I like diaries … and there’s this one book I like called Rolling Warrior. It’s about a girl who does advocacy. I also write books. I have one called School Morning and one called The Haunted House. School Mornings is about how I get ready for school. I wrote the books to raise awareness for people with disabilities. My mom and I wrote them.”

Monica

Parent†

“[My children] all had great luck with their kindergarten teachers, the stories and enthusiasm teachers offer in those early years is a blessing! Gave my kids that extra boost.”

Adriana

Parent††

“Last year [my son] started to read but with help. Now, I am so happy and excited he is reading and improving. [He] still needs help but is getting there. Reading has helped him to talk more. The teacher makes him read out loud, and I get so excited that he doesn’t need my help or the teacher’s.”

Michele

Parent†††

“My 2nd-grade son struggles with reading, but we found out at the end of his 1st-grade year that he’s dyslexic. He’s showing a lot of improvement now that he’s receiving help with reading.”

1/5

*K12-powered schools are schools and school districts that use a suite of curriculum and services from K12 and that K12 reports internally as K12-powered programs. Students must continue to meet the eligibility and policy requirements of their schools and states to continue their enrollment.
**Ava is a 2025 student at a K12-powered school in AR, and their statement reflects their experience at their school.
***Zoey is a 2024 student at a K12-powered school in MI, and their statement reflects their experience at their school.
†Monica is the parent of a 2023 student at a K12-powered school in CA, and their statement reflects their experience at their child’s school.
††Adriana is the parent of a 2023 student at a K12-powered school in TX, and their statement reflects their experience at their child’s school.
†††Michele is the parent of a 2023 student at a K12-powered school in TX, and their statement reflects their experience at their child’s school.