One Maryland elementary school serving grades PK–5 had long struggled with literacy, ranking in the bottom 30% of the state. High poverty levels and historically low reading achievement left students at a significant disadvantage, particularly in the early grades. At the start of the 2023–2024 school year, the outlook was dire, 84% of first graders were identified as at risk for reading failure, scoring in the red category on the DIBELS composite score. Teachers knew something had to change if their students were going to catch up and build the strong literacy foundation necessary for future success.

The school turned to Really Great Reading’s Blast 1st Grade Reading Program as a targeted intervention designed to close early literacy gaps. The results were both rapid and transformative. By May 2024, the percentage of first graders at risk had dropped to 19%, while the percentage of students meeting or exceeding the benchmark had grown from 11% to 67%. Beyond the student data, teachers felt empowered by a structured, evidence-based program that provided them with the tools to deliver effective reading instruction. This combination of student growth and teacher confidence created a positive cycle of success that continues to drive the school’s literacy turnaround.