A Student Retained in First Grade Scores 99th Percentile on Florida Grade 9 ELA Test
St Johns, United States – June 18, 2026 / Tutoring Club /
Tutoring Club of Johns Creek Highlights the Long-Term Impact of Reading Intervention and Individualized Tutoring
ST. JOHNS, Fla. – Parents searching for a “reading tutor near me” often share similar concerns: Why is my child struggling to read? Will they fall further behind? Can they become a confident, independent learner?
A recent student success story from Tutoring Club of Johns Creek illustrates how individualized tutoring, structured literacy instruction, and sustained academic support can help students overcome significant learning challenges and reach outcomes that once seemed unattainable.
When Kat first enrolled at Tutoring Club in 2019, she was a second-grade student facing a range of obstacles. Diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, and processing difficulties, she had already been retained in first grade and was performing among the lowest readers nationally. Reading was a source of frustration, her confidence was limited, and traditional classroom instruction was not addressing her specific learning needs.
Like many families seeking reading intervention, dyslexia tutoring, or a reading tutor in St. Johns, FL, Kat’s family recognized that she needed a more personalized approach to learning.
Creating a Personalized Learning Plan
Tutoring Club’s educational team developed a customized program built around Kat’s specific learning profile. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all curriculum, instructors continuously adjusted their methods, pacing, and practice activities based on her individual progress.
Her program included:
- Structured literacy instruction
- Socratic learning techniques
- Explicit phonics and decoding strategies
- Reading fluency development
- Vocabulary enhancement
- Reading comprehension instruction
- Writing support
- Executive functioning and study skills coaching
Because students with ADHD often respond well to higher levels of engagement, lessons were intentionally shaped around Kat’s interests while preserving the repetition and structure that literacy development requires.
The objective extended beyond helping Kat improve grades. The deeper goal was to help her become a confident, independent reader.
Significant Growth by Fourth Grade
After several years of consistent tutoring and reading intervention, Kat’s efforts began producing measurable results.
By fourth grade, her Iowa Assessment scores reflected a substantial shift, moving her from the category of struggling reader to high-performing student:
- Reading: 85th percentile
- Vocabulary: 84th percentile
- English Language Arts: 77th percentile
Equally significant, reading became something Kat genuinely enjoyed.
For the first time, books were no longer a source of frustration. She discovered the popular Wings of Fire series and developed a real interest in reading outside of school assignments.
According to Tutoring Club educators, this shift represented one of the most meaningful indicators of long-term success.
“When students begin reading because they want to rather than because they have to, that’s when we know true transformation is taking place,” said Kimberly Mullins, Director of Tutoring Club of Johns Creek.
Building Academic Confidence Beyond Reading
As Kat’s literacy skills strengthened, her tutoring program expanded to address broader academic development.
Tutors worked with her on organizational skills, study habits, written expression, and independent learning strategies. The focus gradually shifted from remediation toward helping her navigate increasingly demanding coursework with confidence.
By seventh grade, her Iowa Assessment test scores reflected continued upward progress:
- Reading: 91st percentile
- Vocabulary: 96th percentile
- Written Expression: 93rd percentile
- English Language Arts: 94th percentile
The student who had once struggled to decode basic words had developed into a confident reader, writer, and learner.
Reaching the 99th Percentile
Kat has since completed ninth grade and recently reached her highest academic milestone to date.
On Florida’s Grade 9 FAST ELA Assessment, she earned:
- Level 5 Achievement
- Scale Score: 285
- 99th Percentile Ranking
Her performance exceeded grade-level expectations across literary analysis, informational text comprehension, vocabulary development, and reading across genres.
For the educational team at Tutoring Club of Johns Creek, her results reflect the impact that individualized instruction and evidence-based reading intervention can have over time.
“Students with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences are capable of extraordinary growth when instruction is tailored to how they learn,” Mullins said. “Kat’s journey is a powerful reminder that reading struggles do not define a child’s future.”
A Message of Hope for Families
Many families searching for a reading tutor near me, learning center near me, or private tutoring in St. Johns, FL are looking for reassurance that meaningful progress is achievable.
Kat’s experience shows that academic growth of this nature typically results from a combination of individualized instruction, consistent support, family commitment, and evidence-based teaching methods.
While each student’s path is unique, her story serves as a clear example that early reading difficulties do not determine long-term academic outcomes.
Today, Kat not only performs at a high academic level but also reads independently for enjoyment – a goal that once seemed far beyond reach.
About Tutoring Club of Johns Creek
Tutoring Club of Johns Creek provides individualized tutoring, reading intervention, dyslexia support, academic coaching, math tutoring, study skills instruction, and test preparation for K-12 students throughout St. Johns County, Florida. Through personalized learning plans and evidence-based instruction, the center helps students build confidence, close academic gaps, and achieve lasting academic success. Families searching for a reading tutor, academic tutoring, or private tutoring in St. Johns, FL can learn more by scheduling a comprehensive academic assessment.
Contact Information:
Tutoring Club
605 SR13 #109
St Johns, Florida 32259
United States
Kimberly Mullins
19047704029
https://www.tutoringclub.com
