◈ Homepage — http://www.learnupcenters.org/Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search   Structured Phonics Training Workshop - Now 50% Off Learn to how to teach students to read using a Structured Literacy curriculum aligned to the Science of Reading. LEARN MORE   Get Started with a FREE Reading Assessment It's the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. LearnUp Centers teaches struggling readers, with or without a diagnosis of dyslexia, to read in about 1/2 the time of other reading programs. SCHEDULE YOUR ASSESSMENT   15% Off Sessions - Summer Reading Intensives Beat the Summer Reading Slide and register for reading tutoring with LearnUp! LEARN MORE   Structured Phonics Training Workshop - Now 50% Off Learn to how to teach students to read using a Structured Literacy curriculum aligned to the Science of Reading. LEARN MORE   Get Started with a FREE Reading Assessment It's the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. LearnUp Centers teaches struggling readers, with or without a diagnosis of dyslexia, to read in about 1/2 the time of other reading programs. SCHEDULE YOUR ASSESSMENT 1 3 1 3 The LearnUp Difference LearnUp is on a mission is to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. 1 Structured Literacy Our curriculum integrates the best practices of Orton-Gillingham based programs, speech therapy, structured phonics, and the latest in brain research. 2 Proprietary Chapter Books LearnUp uses decodable chapter books so students can immediately practice their new reading concepts within a storybook environment. 3 Hands-on & Experiential We use a tactile, multi-sensory magnetic board to actively teach phonics and  ½ of every tutoring session is spent reading books. 4 One on One Tutoring Our highly-trained tutors give your kids the skills, personalized attention, and confidence to read. 5 Ongoing Enrollment LearnUp enrolls all year round and has tutors available to fit your child’s needs and schedule. 6 Evidenced-based Results In just 3 months of tutoring, the average LearnUp student increases word fluency by more than 50%, gains over 44 words per minute in fluency and Jumps 2.0 grade levels in reading. RESOURCES TESTIMONIALS PRICING “LearnUp is so efficient – they get the best results while also being the least time intensive and costly. Other programs wanted our son to commit 2-3 hours a day for several months, which would have been much more expensive and difficult to schedule.” – Russell H., LearnUp Parent Play Video Play Video Program Impact On average, LearnUp students increase their word fluency by more than 50% and jump 2 reading grade levels in under 3-4 months of tutoring. SEE MORE Need Decodable Books? Visit our eBookstore! LearnUp books are exciting adventures that align to our structured phonics program. Our books can be used with other phonics programs. There is a book series for every level and age of learner. BOOKS LearnUp Scholarships LearnUp scholarships are on a sliding scale and are based on family need and the availability of scholarship funds. Click to apply today. APPLY Get Our Newsletter Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay on top of LearnUp’s work, learning and teaching tips, and more! SIGN UP LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE ◈ Interior Pages — 43 pages crawledLearnUp Centers - LearnUp Centers Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search   Get Started with a FREE Reading Assessment It's the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. LearnUp Centers teaches struggling readers, with or without a diagnosis of dyslexia, to read in about 1/2 the time of other reading programs. Schedule Your Assessment   15% Off Sessions - Summer Reading Intensives Beat the Summer Reading Slide and register for reading tutoring with LearnUp! Learn More   Structured Phonics Training Workshop - Now 50% Off Learn to how to teach students to read using a Structured Literacy curriculum aligned to the Science of Reading. Learn More 1 1 Get Started with a FREE Reading Assessment It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. LearnUp Centers teaches struggling readers, with or without a diagnosis of dyslexia, to read in about 1/2 the time of other reading programs. GET YOUR FREE ASSESSMENT The LearnUp Difference LearnUp is on a mission is to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. 1 Structured Literacy Our curriculum integrates the best practices of Orton-Gillingham based programs, speech therapy, structured phonics, and the latest in brain research. 2 Proprietary Chapter Books LearnUp uses decodable chapter books so students can immediately practice their new reading concepts within a storybook environment. 3 Hands-on & Experiential We use a tactile, multi-sensory magnetic board to actively teach phonics and ½ of every tutoring session is spent reading books. 4 One on One Tutoring Our highly-trained tutors give your kids the skills, personalized attention, and confidence to read. 5 Ongoing Enrollment LearnUp enrolls all year round and has tutors available to fit your child’s needs and schedule. 6 Evidenced-based Results In just 3 months of tutoring, the average LearnUp student increases word fluency by more than 50%, gains over 44 words per minute in fluency and Jumps 2.0 grade levels in reading. RESOURCES TESTIMONIALS PRICING “LearnUp is so efficient – they get the best results while also being the least time intensive and costly. Other programs wanted our son to commit 2-3 hours a day for several months, which would have been much more expensive and difficult to schedule.” – Russell H., LearnUp Parent Play Video Play Video Program Impact On average, LearnUp students increase their word fluency by more than 50% and jump 2 reading grade levels in under 3-4 months of tutoring. SEE MORE Need Decodable Books? Visit our eBookstore! LearnUp books are exciting adventures that align to our structured phonics program. Our books can be used with other phonics programs. There is a book series for every level and age of learner. BOOKS LearnUp Scholarships LearnUp scholarships are on a sliding scale and are based on family need and the availability of scholarship funds. Click to apply today. APPLY Get Our Newsletter Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay on top of LearnUp’s work, learning and teaching tips, and more! SIGN UP LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Reading Tutoring Outcomes & Results | LearnUp Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Evidence-based. Amazing results. In just 60 hours of tutoring, the average LearnUp student makes impressive reading gains. Jump 2.2 grade levels in reading Gain over 17 words per minute in fluency Increase word fluency by more than 50% Our assessment methods While parent, student, and teacher testimonials are incredibly powerful, we also use multiple assessment methods to measure the true impact of the program on our students. At LearnUp, we use a structured, multi-layered assessment approach to track student progress, personalize instruction, and ensure measurable and visible reading gains. Before starting tutoring, each student completes: Tattum Student Reading Survey : Identifies where the student falls on the reading spectrum and within our program. LearnUp Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) (Curriculum-Based Measurement): Evaluates grade-level reading fluency within our curriculum. Scholastic 3 Minute Reading Assessment: Oral Reading Fluency (ORF): Benchmarks student grade-level reading fluency, comprehension, and prosody against national standards. Test of Word Reading Efficiency (TOWRE): Measures phonemics and word reading efficiency using real and non-words. LearnUp Literacy Spectrums : Assesses comprehension, fluency, spelling, and writing development. Video Documentation : A baseline reading video is recorded to visually track progress. Weekly Progress Monitoring Daily Concept Tracker tracks a student’s progress through each concept of the program. Weekly Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) Check-Ins track correct words per minute (CWPM) Ongoing Video Recordings capture milestones and true reading growth. Benchmark Assessments (Every 20 Sessions) Students undergo reassessments of the battery of assessments, including LearnUp and Scholastic Oral Reading Fluency, TOWRE, and Literacy Spectrums, to measure gains and adjust instruction. Final Reading Tests quantify overall improvement. Exit Assessment & Impact Measurement Video Recordings capture milestones and true reading growth. To see examples of pre/post student readings go to LearnUp Student Stories page. Our history of results Our reading director, Steve Tattum, has been training educators and teaching kids to read for over 40 years. In 1998, he took all that experience and created the Tattum Reading Program. LearnUp is replicating his methodology and scaling his success with students and schools in the Bay Area. LearnUp outcomes are in line with the historical outcomes of schools, learning specialists, and tutors using the Tattum Reading Program (also known as F.A.S.T.) Despite the different names, they are the same innovative approach, curriculum, methodologies, and materials. The research cited below was conducted on both the Tattum Reading Program and the F.A.S.T. Program. Beyond Basics 2023 Longitudinal Study Full Report Beyond Basics Longitudinal Study 2008-2022 By Dietz Consulting 12/31/2022 Synopsis: The Beyond Basics reading assessment program utilizes the Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests (WRMT- A pre-test and WRMT-B post-test) to evaluate students’ success in the program. This testing system relies on measurements in five primary reading areas: word identification, word attack, word comprehension, passage comprehension, and fluency: ✓ Word identification assesses the student’s ability to recognize words with increasing difficulty as they are read by the tutor. ✓ Word attack evaluates the student’s ability to read nonsense words with increasing difficulty. ✓ Word comprehension measures reading ability in antonyms, synonyms, and analogies. ✓ Passage comprehension evaluates the student’s ability to study a sentence or short passage. ✓ Fluency measures the ability of students to integrate learned reading abilities such as decoding, expressions, and phrasing. ✓ Holistic approach that includes art and writing sessions to accompany reading curriculum. Moreover, total grade level reading capacity is based on rolling these five measurements up into three equally weighted categories: Basic Skills (word identification and word attack), Reading Comprehension (word comprehension and passage comprehension) and Fluency. Overall reading grade level movement can be impacted by a variety of factors, but critical is both the number of sessions students are present for along with the number of sessions that the students missed. Read Full Report Michigan Five Year Study Shows Amazing Reading Growth Implementation of a Reading Intervention Program: Internal Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis By Derrick R. Fries, Eastern Michigan University, Tom Harwood and Greg Johnson, Grosse Pointe Public School System Synopsis: The results of a five-year study show that students who used the Tattum Reading Program (a.k.a. F.A.S.T.), who were initially performing below expectations in reading, made substantial reading gains during the time they were in the program. Moreover, they made reading gains more often associated with students who were not identified as struggling readers. Students in the study showed unexpected strong growth on the Michigan Educational Achievement Program (MEAP) tests. Read Full Report Denver Students Make Significant Reading Gains Reading Outcomes Over Multiple Year Assessment: Fall 2008 — Spring 2010 Report Generated By Melissa Dietz, Research Consultant Synopsis: Four Denver Public Schools used Beyond Basics (Beyond Basics uses the Tattum Reading Program) as a reading intervention program for 155 students in the 3rd to 6th grades. The impact the program has made on these students can be tracked by overall grade level reading readiness as well as to the individual student’s ability to master key reading skills such as word identification, word attack skills, fluency and overall comprehension. In two years On average, the students went from a full grade level behind in reading to reading at grade level. Word Attack skills, a developmental foundation for future reading success, were on average elevated by more than 2 years. Word Identification and Comprehension skills on average were elevated by nearly a full reading grade level. Fluency jumped by 28 words per minute. “The benefits of the program are far-reaching past the core measures used to assess reading proficiency… offers these children an opportunity to embrace who they are, develop confidence and overcome the hurdles that stand in their way.” Read Full Report Other Research On Tattum Reading Research and Case Studies of Tattum Reading Reading Outcomes Collection of papers, case studies, and research reports done on Tattum Reading (aka FAST Learning) from 2000 to present. Other Research Papers LearnUp provides FREE reading assessments. It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN Donate to LearnUp | Support a Struggling Reader Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Sponsor a struggling reader. Change a life. Give the gift of reading. We believe every child, regardless of income, deserves to learn how to read. LearnUp Centers uses a one-for-one model For every paying student, LearnUp provides a scholarship for a deserving child. Unlike other one-for-one giving programs, we are not simply giving away a product. Instead, we are teaching reading skills that last a lifetime. Because of donors like you, LearnUp Centers can offer scholarships to low-income, struggling readers and their families. So many ways to give the gift of reading Donate Online Donate via Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal, Google Pay, Gift Cards, Bank Deposit, Stock, DAFs, and Crypto. LearnUp uses a company called Every.org to process stock and crypto donations and contributions via your Donor Advised Fund. DONATE ONLINE TO LEARNUP CENTERS Other ways to Donate Donate via Bank Transfer/ACH Bank transfers are quick and easy — and don’t cost either party a fee. Please reach out to us for the account and routing numbers at [email protected] or call us at (415) 944-7323‍3 Donate with a Text Just text “ learntoread ” to 44-321‍2. Send a Check Mail checks to: LearnUp Centers 2325 Pine St. San Francisco, CA 94115 Top Rated Nonprofit LearnUp Centers is a nonprofit 501(c)3. Our EIN is 47-2262474. “We are so thrilled with Kai’s reading progress!!! Last night he read a bedtime story to all of us that I normally read–we were all blown away. THANK YOU. Without a scholarship to LearnUp this never would have happened.” – Amy R, LearnUp parent Watch Kai jump two grade levels. After several international moves, Kai was struggling to catch up to his peers in his new 3rd grade class. After just 80 hours with LearnUp, Kai’s reading skills reached 3rd grade level. SEE MORE LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Free Reading Assessment for Kids | LearnUp Centers Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Schedule A Free Reading Assessment Process Step 1: Schedule assessment. Complete the form below and LearnUp will contact you via phone or email to schedule your assessment. Step 2: Take the test. The full reading assessment will take about 15-20 minutes and can be administered in person at our San Francisco office or virtually. Step 3: Receive Results. LearnUp will review the assessment results and send you a summary of our observations of your child’s reading and share a customized reading program for your child. To get started, fill out the form below. Reading Assessment Inquiry First Name Last Name Email Child’s First Name Child’s Last Name Child’s Age Child’s Grade Phone City State/Province Zip Let us know what is going on with your child’s reading. Generate new mask Generate new mask Generate new mask Generate new mask LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE What a LearnUp Tutoring Session Looks Like Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Our 3 Guiding Principles 1. Learn daily When it comes to reading, frequency and repetition matter. 2. Keep it short Each lesson is 50 minutes—because tired, bored kids don’t learn as quickly. 3. Read at home We ask every family to participate in daily reading homework. The 6 fundamental sections to each lesson Sounds The student learns and practices her sounds using the letters on the magnetic board. For spelling, the tutor says the sounds and the student points to the letter(s) that represent that sound on the board. For reading, the tutor points to the letters and students say the sounds. As appropriate, the tutor introduces a new spelling or reading concept. Syllables Using the letters on the magnetic board, the student makes and reads nonsense words that range from 1-6 syllables. For spelling, the tutor sounds out nonsense syllables that focus on phonetic concepts and students spell these out on the board. The tutor then dictates changes that require moving a letter. For reading, the tutor creates nonsense words on the board for students to read. Words Tutor directly transfers phonetic words into daily spelling, reading, and writing. For spelling, the tutor dictates high-frequency words that address several spelling concepts and the student writes these words onto paper. The dictated words correspond to the concepts addressed earlier in the lesson. Reading & Comprehension Half of each session is spent reading in the reading books. Each book raises the grade level and increases the reading difficulty. Our read aloud technique is called Pressure Release . Writing The student completes a 5-minute written response daily. Reading prompts include questions about the student’s understanding of the story and asks them to summarize, predict, and infer what the story is about. Fluency Homework We ask our families to read together using our fluency techniques for 5-10 minutes at home every day. We call this homework “Repeated Readings”. These readings help activate the word form area of the brain, and daily practice reinforces and maintains learning and brain stimulation. LearnUp provides FREE reading assessments. It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. Sign Up Now LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Online Reading Training in Structured Literacy | LearnUp Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search This Summer, Learn How To Teach Anyone to Read Structured Literacy Training Course Perfect for Educators, Paraprofessionals, and Parents Online Instruction, Training Videos, and Materials for Hands-On Practice Get Started Today! Price: $1050 $500 Structured Literacy Online Course Full 20-hour course covering LearnUp’s complete structured literacy program Video lessons and instructional materials included Digital copy of the Tattum Lessons Book provided Learn from a program designed for students with dyslexia Self-paced and self-directed format — progress at your own convenience Certificate of completion awarded upon finishing the course Price: Additional $1600 $550 (with Course Enrollment) Theory to Practice Live Training (Add-On) Sign Up by June 12th, 2026. 16-hours over the course of 8 weeks. Meet 2 hours/week with a cohort. Hands-on, experiential sessions that move from theory to skill building to real-world application Interactive and fast-paced, with opportunities for personalized guidance and feedback Virtual through Zoom Get Started Today Questions? Email us at [email protected]. Core Program Components Sounds Learn techniques to teach students how to pronounce letter sounds correctly using magnetic or digital boards. Correct pronunciation is essential for building a solid reading foundation. Syllables Master the steps to guide students in constructing and reading nonsense words from 1-6 syllables. This syllable practice develops decoding skills and phonetic understanding. Words Learn how to integrate phonetic words into daily reading, spelling, and writing exercises to enhance reading fluency and vocabulary retention. Reading and Comprehension Each lesson dedicates time to reading from structured chapter books that increase in complexity. You’ll use our “Pressure Release” technique, a read-aloud strategy that supports comprehension and fluency. Writing Discover methods for engaging reluctant writers. Students complete a written response in every session, building comprehension by summarizing, predicting, and inferring story elements. Fluency We provide fluency techniques, such as “Repeated Readings,” to encourage daily practice and reinforce neural pathways associated with reading. This technique also allows our families to support ongoing literacy development at home. Frequently Asked Questions When can I take the course? The course is self-paced so you can take it whenever and where ever you are. You can also join a live cohort to make sure you have someone to practice with. What makes this course so great? Self-Paced Online: Learn on your couch, in your pajamas, at your speed. Live Cohort: Join the optional live training cohort to put theory to practice. Real Lesson Videos: Don’t just read about it—see exactly how it’s done. Lesson Plans Included: Zero prep work. Walk into your next session ready to go. Certificate: Share your expertise to employers and parents. How many hours are in the training? The training includes 20 hours of core instruction, supplemented by 10 hours of bonus videos, pdfs, and live lessons for in-depth learning. Do you have a short description of your program? The LearnUp program uses a structured, multi-disciplinary phonics curriculum with proprietary decodable chapter books that allow students to practice reading concepts within a story context. Lessons cover sounds, syllables, words, reading, comprehension, and writing in a customizable format. Is this an Orton-Gillingham based course? Yes, the course incorporates Orton-Gillingham principles, alongside best practices from programs like Lindamood-Bell and other nationally known reading programs, paired with the latest research to offer a superior systematic program. How long has this program been around? With over 40 years of success, the program was developed by Steve Tattum, a reading specialist with expertise in various reading methods. It has been widely used with exceptional results across schools and districts. “ This should be taught to every elementary teacher. Linda Farnell-Silva “ I'm a parent and wife of dyslexics. So what now after the diagnosis? #1: This class. Heather Doolittle “ This is an incredible tool to help all children from beginners to adults that need the help. Elizabeth Jones “ "As fast as you can; as slow as you must!" What a great approach for our kids! It's not about us and the program's procedure; it's about them and their needs. This allows me to come to them, wherever they are, and then go beyond...quickly, and efficiently! Janice Mcgowan “ I know the program works as my son has improved tremendously through it within 3 months of summer! Ina von Wunsch “ Thank you SO much for the opportunity to take this class. I learned SO much and will definitely be able to use this knowledge to benefit kids! Thanks again! Debra Asiano LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Tutoring Session Details & Logistics | LearnUp Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search The who, what, when, where & how of LearnUp Who can LearnUp teach to read? LearnUp can help anyone to read Any age. Our students range in age from kindergartners to adults. Any skill level. From non-readers to breakthrough readers—with or without a diagnosis of dyslexia. Our students come from schools across the nation—public, private, and parochial. ‍ We also partner with schools, districts, and after-school programs to train their teachers to help more students learn to read. Where are you tutoring? Now tutoring 1:1 on-line. Each tutoring lesson is 50 minutes. Students attend sessions 5 days a week. When do you tutor? Mostly after-school…but there are always exceptions We operate year-round and have ongoing enrollment. We have have expanded our hours to work with students from all parts of the country. Check with our staff about scheduling your child. How long will it take to teach my child to read? It’s what every parent wants to know During our free reading assessment, we will determine your child’s entry point—which we call reading starts. Once we know the start, we can estimate how long it will take us to teach your child to read. We don’t believe every student should start at the same level if their skills vary. This makes the program far more efficient. Once we understand where they are on the reading spectrum, we can approximate the number of sessions needed to meet reading goals and create measurable milestones to achieve them. As your child moves through the program, we will meet with you to discuss your child’s reading progress and explore any setbacks or challenges they may face. LearnUp provides FREE reading assessments. It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. Sign Up Now LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Structured Literacy for Teens | LearnUp Centers Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Training Course Get equipped with the skills to take a teen from letter sounds to decoding multi-syllable words! This course is designed for Teachers and Learning Specialists working with Middle and High School students. This course includes: Youth development strategies for working with teens Real lesson recordings Ready-to-use lesson plans Over 15+ decodable book series aligned to our program 20 hours of content & bonus materials Access to our digital phonics board Find out more “LearnUp is so efficient – they get the best results while also being the least time intensive and costly. Other programs wanted our son to commit 2-3 hours a day for several months, which would have been much more expensive and difficult to schedule.” – Russell H., LearnUp Parent How We Help Lebraun was a 7th grader when we started working with him. Hear the difference after just 50 hours with us. Hear For Yourself Need Decodable Books? Visit our eBookstore! LearnUp books are exciting adventures that align to our structured phonics program. Our books can be used with other phonics programs. There is a book series for every level and age of learner. BOOKS LearnUp Scholarships LearnUp scholarships are on a sliding scale and are based on family need and the availability of scholarship funds. Click to apply today. APPLY Get Our Newsletter Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay on top of LearnUp’s work, learning and teaching tips, and more! SIGN UP LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE LearnUp Centers - LearnUp Centers Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search   Get Started with a FREE Reading Assessment It's the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. LearnUp Centers teaches struggling readers, with or without a diagnosis of dyslexia, to read in about 1/2 the time of other reading programs. Schedule Your Assessment   15% Off Sessions - Summer Reading Intensives Beat the Summer Reading Slide and register for reading tutoring with LearnUp! Learn More   Structured Phonics Training Workshop - Now 50% Off Learn to how to teach students to read using a Structured Literacy curriculum aligned to the Science of Reading. Learn More 1 1 Get Started with a FREE Reading Assessment It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. LearnUp Centers teaches struggling readers, with or without a diagnosis of dyslexia, to read in about 1/2 the time of other reading programs. GET YOUR FREE ASSESSMENT The LearnUp Difference LearnUp is on a mission is to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. 1 Structured Literacy Our curriculum integrates the best practices of Orton-Gillingham based programs, speech therapy, structured phonics, and the latest in brain research. 2 Proprietary Chapter Books LearnUp uses decodable chapter books so students can immediately practice their new reading concepts within a storybook environment. 3 Hands-on & Experiential We use a tactile, multi-sensory magnetic board to actively teach phonics and ½ of every tutoring session is spent reading books. 4 One on One Tutoring Our highly-trained tutors give your kids the skills, personalized attention, and confidence to read. 5 Ongoing Enrollment LearnUp enrolls all year round and has tutors available to fit your child’s needs and schedule. 6 Evidenced-based Results In just 3 months of tutoring, the average LearnUp student increases word fluency by more than 50%, gains over 44 words per minute in fluency and Jumps 2.0 grade levels in reading. RESOURCES TESTIMONIALS PRICING “LearnUp is so efficient – they get the best results while also being the least time intensive and costly. Other programs wanted our son to commit 2-3 hours a day for several months, which would have been much more expensive and difficult to schedule.” – Russell H., LearnUp Parent Play Video Play Video Program Impact On average, LearnUp students increase their word fluency by more than 50% and jump 2 reading grade levels in under 3-4 months of tutoring. SEE MORE Need Decodable Books? Visit our eBookstore! LearnUp books are exciting adventures that align to our structured phonics program. Our books can be used with other phonics programs. There is a book series for every level and age of learner. BOOKS LearnUp Scholarships LearnUp scholarships are on a sliding scale and are based on family need and the availability of scholarship funds. Click to apply today. APPLY Get Our Newsletter Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay on top of LearnUp’s work, learning and teaching tips, and more! SIGN UP LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Reading Tutoring Financial Aid & Scholarships | LearnUp Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search LearnUp Financial Aid Program One-for-One Model For every paying student, LearnUp provides a scholarship for a deserving child. Unlike other one-for-one giving programs, we are not simply giving away a product. Instead, we are teaching reading skills that last a lifetime. We also have generous investors who believe that teaching a child to read can transform their life. Because of their generosity, LearnUp Centers can offer scholarships to low-income struggling readers and their families. The scholarships are available on a sliding scale.If your family needs financial support so that your child can enroll in a LearnUp Centers program, please read through the criteria below. Contact staff to discuss your situation or to learn more about the program. Who is eligible to apply? An eligible scholarship student demonstrates: 1. financial need for scholarship support 2. need for reading or reading comprehension support 3. ability to attend tutoring every day (Monday – Friday) at the designated time How do I apply? All applicants must complete the required forms, provide all necessary information, and response to communications in a timely manner. LearnUp accepts scholarship students on a rolling-basis. Financial Aid Process Submit application: Complete all necessary forms and provide any supplemental documents requested by the Scholarship Committee Intake assessment: A staff member will contact you to schedule an intake assessment. Evaluation : The Scholarship Committee, comprised of members of LearnUp’s leadership team, will review the information provided in the application, assessment results, and any additional materials provided. Notification: You will be notified if you are eligible to receive a scholarship package from LearnUp and what that scholarship package includes. Fundraising: Due to the high number of applicants and need for scholarship, LearnUp is unable to cover the full cost of sessions. Your scholarship package will detail what amount LearnUp is able to cover per session. As part of your application, we ask families to include a monetary amount they are reasonably able to contribute to each session cost. For any costs that are not covered by LearnUp or family contribution, LearnUp has set up a fundraising campaign where funds will go towards all scholarship students. Families will also be asked to create a fundraising campaign for their student where the funds will be used solely for student. Start Sessions: Once a schedule has been confirmed, the student can start their sessions. Click Here to Start Your Application After completing this form, a member of the Scholarship Committee will reach out to guide you through the rest of the application process. Terms of Agreement Parents agree to make sure the student: is present every day, on time. (LearnUp reserves the right to charge a fee to cover the costs for missed classes.) is able to attend tutoring sessions on-site (or online) at LearnUp Centers. is able to give 100% effort on a daily basis. Students with ongoing motivation or effort issues may not be eligible for ongoing scholarship support. is willing to give permission LearnUp Centers to use their child’s images, videos, and story for research, outreach, and marketing purposes. agrees to become a champion of LearnUp and to helping LearnUp spread the word about its programs and support LearnUp’s efforts to secure support for LearnUp scholarships. LeanUp Centers will provide a tutor, reading program, and all materials. LearnUp will be able to use the student’s story, audio, video, and images of the student in its outreach and marketing materials. LearnUp scholarships are bound by the amount of funding it has for scholarships. The family is limited to the number of sessions in the agreement, which may not equal the full number of sessions recommended by LearnUp. When possible, LearnUp will extend scholarships as available and agreed upon. LearnUp scholarships are on a sliding scale and are based on family need and the availability of scholarship funds. Families can demonstrate their need by answering the questions in the form linked above. Please review our mutually agreed upon expectations outlined above prior to filling out the financial aid application. Have questions or need a clarification? Reach out to our team. Email to [email protected] Or call: (415) 944-7323) . Here are the questions we ask in the application. ‍How many people are in your household, including your child? What is the total annual income for the household (sum all sources, including wages, government benefits, child support, etc) What is the family’s annual income? Please break out by income earner. Has anyone in the household received means tested federal benefits in the last 12 months (medicaid, free/reduced priced lunch, SNAP, etc.). What is your average monthly household expenditure? (include rent/mortgage, vehicle payments, living expenses, medical, etc.) Do you rent or own your home? Indicate number of vehicles in your household, and make & model of each vehicle. If relevant, where did the family go on vacation in the last 12 months? Does your child (or any other children in your household) currently receive financial aid for any non-public education or programs besides Learnup? If you answer yes to the above question, please describe the program and the amount of financial aid. Please provide any additional details you would like to share on current major expenses or debt (i.e. medical, education, family support, etc.) How much do you think your family can reasonably pay per session of tutoring at LearnUp? Is the family willing to offer a modest deposit to cover the costs of tutoring if the student misses a session without appropriate advanced notice as described in the LearnUp Centers agreement? Is the family willing and able to help fundraise for their child and pay it forward for other deserving children? Why have you reached out to LearnUp for reading tutoring for your child? What are your expectations once your child completes the program? LearnUp provides FREE reading assessments. It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. Sign Up Now LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Structured Literacy & Tattum Method | Evidence-Aligned Reading Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search What Is Structured Literacy? Structured literacy is a method of teaching reading that is explicit, systematic, and grounded in how the brain actually learns to decode written language. It is the approach recommended by decades of reading science research — including the landmark findings of the National Reading Panel — and is now widely recognized as the most effective way to teach reading to all students, especially those with dyslexia or other learning differences. At LearnUp Centers, structured literacy is the foundation of everything we do. The Five Pillars of Structured Literacy Structured literacy instruction addresses five core components of reading Phonemic Awareness The ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. For example, recognizing that the word “cat” is made up of three sounds: /k/, /æ/, /t/. This is a foundational skill — students who struggle with phonemic awareness almost always struggle with reading. Phonics The relationship between letters (graphemes) and sounds (phonemes). Phonics instruction teaches students the code of written language so they can decode unfamiliar words rather than memorizing them by sight. Structured literacy programs teach phonics explicitly and in a logical sequence — one concept builds on the next. Fluency The ability to read accurately, at an appropriate pace, and with expression. Fluency bridges decoding and comprehension — a student who has to labor over every word cannot focus on understanding meaning. LearnUp uses proprietary decodable chapter books and repeated readings to build fluency directly. Vocabulary Understanding the meaning of words — both spoken and written. Strong vocabulary is essential for reading comprehension, and structured literacy programs build vocabulary explicitly alongside phonics and fluency skills. Comprehension The ultimate goal of reading — understanding what a text means, making inferences, identifying the main idea, and connecting ideas across a passage. LearnUp’s program includes explicit comprehension instruction using research-based strategies like summarization and text structure analysis. Why Structured Literacy Works Where science meets practice Structured literacy is grounded in what researchers call the Science of Reading — a body of evidence built over more than 50 years of cognitive science, neuroscience, and educational research. The science is clear: most children do not learn to read naturally. Reading is not an instinct. It is a skill that must be explicitly taught. The brain’s reading network — particularly the left hemisphere pathways connecting the visual, phonological, and language centers — must be trained through systematic, repeated exposure to the connections between sounds and letters. This is exactly what structured literacy programs provide. Research consistently shows that structured literacy approaches work for the vast majority of struggling readers, including those with dyslexia. They produce significantly better outcomes than whole-language or balanced literacy approaches, are effective across age groups from kindergartners to adults, and work faster than other approaches when implemented with adequate frequency and intensity. What Makes a Program “Structured Literacy”? Not all reading programs are created equal A true structured literacy program has five defining characteristics: it is Explicit (every concept is directly taught, nothing left to discovery), Systematic (skills taught in a deliberate logical sequence, simple before complex), Sequential (moving from foundational to advanced in a predictable order), Cumulative (new concepts continuously integrated with prior learning), and Multi-sensory (students learn through seeing, hearing, saying, and writing simultaneously, strengthening the neural connections that support reading. Structured Literacy vs. Whole Language vs. Balanced Literacy Ending the Reading Wars For decades, many schools used whole language or balanced literacy approaches — methods that emphasized guessing words from context, memorizing sight words, and reading for meaning without explicit phonics instruction. Research has consistently shown these approaches are insufficient for many students, particularly those with dyslexia. Structured literacy differs from whole language and balanced literacy in one fundamental way: it treats reading as a code that must be explicitly taught, rather than a skill that emerges naturally from exposure to books. Where structured literacy teaches phonics explicitly and systematically, whole language approaches rely on guessing words from context or pictures. Where structured literacy treats sight words as phonetic exceptions to be understood, balanced literacy uses sight word memorization as a primary reading strategy. The research base for structured literacy is strong, supported by decades of neuroscience. The evidence for whole language and balanced literacy approaches is weak — and for students with dyslexia, these approaches consistently fail. Who Benefits from Structured Literacy? Structured literacy works for virtually all readers It is especially critical for: Students with dyslexia. Dyslexia affects approximately 1 in 5 people and is primarily a phonological processing difficulty. Structured literacy directly targets phonological awareness and phonics, making it the most effective intervention for dyslexic readers. English Language Learners. Students learning English as a second language benefit from explicit, systematic phonics instruction that builds the language code directly. Students with IEPs. Many students with learning disabilities struggle specifically with the phonological and decoding skills that structured literacy directly addresses. Students who missed foundational instruction . Middle and high school students who were never taught to decode properly can make dramatic gains with structured literacy, regardless of their age. All beginning readers. Research supports structured literacy as the most effective approach for teaching all children to read, not just those who struggle. LearnUp’s Goal: Creating Readers, Not Just Decoders Teaching kids to become beach readers Most reading programs define success as decoding — the ability to sound out words. LearnUp defines success differently: a child who picks up a book because they want to. A student who reads on the beach in summer not because they have to, but because they can and they love it. This distinction shapes everything about how LearnUp works. From day one, every LearnUp student is assigned specific reading goals — a defined destination, not just a starting point. Progress is tracked against those goals continuously. If a student falls off track, LearnUp identifies the obstacle and adjusts. The question is never just “how much progress did they make Reading Resources for Parents & Educators | LearnUp Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Why our reading program works The LearnUp Reading Program Steve Tattum gives a quick overview of the reading program. He also describes what happens in the brain that keeps kids with learning differences from learning to read easily and how our program helps to stimulate the word form area. (03:22) The Reading Brain Steve Tattum explains how dyslexia functions in the brain and how our program addresses the challenges facing struggling readers. Interview with Dennis Worley of This is America. (30:00) The LearnUp Reading Program Steve Tattum explains the nuts and bolts of the reading program to a group of University of San Francisco grad students. This is a great explanation of how and why the program works. (15:00) How Steve Tattum Adapted the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Create a Superior Reading Program Steve Tattum explains how he took the Orton-Gillingham program and adapted it to create the Tattum reading program. This is a great explanation of what the key differences and similarities are between traditional OG programs and LearnUp’s. (21:00) We stimulate the Word Form Area through LearnUp fluency techniques Pressure Release The Pressure Release Technique is one of the most powerful techniques used at LearnUp. It allows emerging readers to read outloud for extended periods of time without fatiguing. It is particularly helpful for a child who has trouble transferring phonetic knowledge to reading. It measurably increases confidence in reading, as well as fluency. Repeated Reading This procedure develops sight vocabulary and fluency in reading. It should be done daily. Beat the Clock Fun and challenging fluency builder. LearnUp sample lessons on how we teach structured literacy Teaching Consonant Sounds How to teach the correct consonant sounds. The Vowel Galaxy How to teach the short vowel sounds. Vowel Tag How to teach the vowel tag. “The vowel tags the consonant breaking the word into syllables.” Vowel Change How to teach the Vowel Change. “Another way to sound out a word that doesn’t quite make sense.” Hungry Rule How to teach the Hungry Rule. “Short vowels in one tap words are hungry.” The Bully Rule How to teach the Bully Rule. “Vowel suffixes are bullies.” Tattum Decodable Chapter Book Series Explained The Stories in Tattum Decodable Chapter Books and How to Use Them Steve describes the Tattum Reading Series How to pick a reading program How to pick a reading program Steve describes the main characteristics of effective reading programs using the acronym THUMB (Teach, Half, Understanding, Main Idea, Begin): Teach to the child, Half the period is reading and writing, how to begin with Understanding, Main idea is stimulating the word form area, how to Begin teaching to the child. How to pick a reading program Why you shouldn’t not pick a sight word approach to reading if their word form area is not functioning. How LearnUp Uses Entry Levels (called “Starts”) Download a pdf that outlines how we meet students where they are on the reading spectrum and move them to grade level reading. LearnUp wants your child to learn to read and we are confident our approach will get them reading at grade level in a short period of time. The pdf corresponds to LearnUp’s reading assessment which tells us which entry-level/start in our program is the best one for your child. Generally speaking, the lower the start, the more time it takes to get your child on track. Keep in mind that starts are set by reading level, not by age. Reading Resources Structured Literacy Structured Literacy Program View an Infographic of the components of a structured literacy program National Reading Panel Recommendations of the National Reading Panel (2000). Audio & eBooks Learning Ally Learning Ally is a leading nonprofit education solutions organization that transforms the lives of struggling learners by delivering proven solutions that help students reach their potential. Great resource for audiobooks. Bookshare: Bookshare makes reading easier. People with dyslexia, blindness, cerebral palsy, and other reading barriers can customize their experience to suit their learning style and find virtually any book they need for school, work, or the joy of reading. Bookshare is a program of Benentech & the U.S. Department of Education and is free to qualified children. Dyslexia Decoding Dyslexia: Decoding Dyslexia is a network of parent-led grassroots movements across the country concerned with the limited access to educational interventions for dyslexia within the public education system. Decoding Dyslexia: Decoding Dyslexia is a network of parent-led grassroots movements across the country concerned with the limited access to educational interventions for dyslexia within the public education system. International Dyslexia Association: The IDA’s vision is to create a future for all individuals who struggle with dyslexia and other related reading differences so that they may have richer, more robust lives and access to the tools and resources they need. It is a international network of members working on the challenges facing people living with dyslexia. Understood: The goal of Understood is to help the millions of parents whose children, ages 3–20, are struggling with learning and attention issues. Eye to Eye: In every classroom there is a kid being told, “You just have to try harder.” Misunderstood, isolated in self-doubt. That young person struggling with learning and attention issues. Eye to Eye gives the kid in the corner an inside chance — to succeed, to self-advocate, to graduate, to have community, to live a life of hope. California Department of Education Dyslexia Guidelines: The purpose of these guidelines is to assist regular education teachers, special education teachers, and parents in identifying, assessing, and supporting students with dyslexia. Register or Learn More LearnUp provides FREE reading assessments. It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. Sign Up Now LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensi Student Reading Progress | How We Track Growth | LearnUp Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Reading Progress at Every Level Real Examples from Elementary to High School Below, you’ll find examples of how LearnUp students read before enrolling in our tutoring program, alongside videos that capture their progress throughout the program. Listen and observe the transformation as these students gain confidence and independence in their reading abilities. Reading isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey—every student starts at a different point. On this page, we’ve organized real examples of students by their “Start” level and grade range—whether they’re in lower elementary, upper elementary, middle, or high school. Non-Readers (Start 1) Typically, Start 1 students have not mastered their letter sounds and are unable to consistently read one-syllable words. Start 1 Elementary School: Beberly (3rd Grade) Meet Beberly, 3rd Grader. Watch her intake assessment. She read 33 words correct per minute (wcpm) in a Kindergarten level text. By her 130th session, she was reading at 115 wcpm at a 5.0 grade level, demonstrating amazing progress! Click here to watch Beberly’s LearnUp story! Start 1 Upper Elementary: Esteysi (4th Grade) Meet Esteysi, 4th Grade. Here is her intake assessment. She read 15 words correct per minute (wcpm) in a Kindergarten level text. By her 60th session, she was reading at 56 wcpm at a 3.1 grade level! Early-Readers (Start 2) Typically, Start 2 students can read many one-syllable words with support. Start 2 Elementary School: Arrow (1st Grade) Meet Arrow. Arrow was assessed as a 1st grader, but was not able to consistently attend LearnUp due to limited school and family resources. Over the next couple of years, Arrow attended LearnUp as an independent student and through the SFUSD. As a 5th grader, he exited the program after 130 hours. He could read 6th grade text at 84 wcpm. Click here to watch Arrow’s LearnUp story! Start 2 Upper Elementary: Dash (4th Grade) Meet Dash, 4th Grade. Here is his intake assessment. He could read. When Dash enrolled in LearnUp, they were reading 2 wcpm at the 1st grade level. Dash is now reading 77 words correct per minute (wcpm) at a 4.7 grade level in our decodable books. Start 2 High School: JP (9th Grade) When JP enrolled in LearnUp, he was reading 102 wcpm at the 0.6 grade level, and while his fluency felt fast, his ability to read and comprehend at grade level was low. After 80 sessions, JP is now reading 96 words correct per minute (wcpm) at a 4.8 grade level in our decodable books. And though he still has a way to go to become a grade level reader, JP can now read independently. Click here to watch JP’s LearnUp story! Emerging Readers (Start 3) Typically, Start 3 students able to read two-syllable words with support. Start 3 Elementary School: Casper (2nd Grade) Meet 2nd grader Casper. In 40 hours of tutoring, Casper’s reading improved by 2.0 grade levels. Click here to watch Casper’s LearnUp story! We’re just getting started! Right now, you’ll find examples from Starts 1 through 3. We’re working hard to add more examples and stories across all levels, so check back soon! LearnUp provides FREE reading assessments. It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. Sign Up Now LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Meet Our Certified Reading Tutors | LearnUp Centers Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Meet Our Staff Leadership Team Tara Giddings Partnership Program Manager Tara is an Educational Therapist with a passion for helping all students develop a love for reading. She has been with LearnUp for over 7 years. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, practicing yoga, listening to live music, and spending time at the beach. Brylie Brownell Program Associate Brylie joined LearnUp Centers in March 2020. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice Studies from the University of San Francisco. She now serves as a Program Associate at LearnUp. She leads program trainings and oversees family enrollment. Marely Espinoza-Rosales Curriculum Coordinator and Spanish Family Liaison Marely has a B.A degree in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. She is an aspiring novelist and hopes to teach as many students to read as possible so they can one day read her work! When she isn’t reading, writing or tutoring you can find her at an art museum. Mei Lin Marketing and Financial Aid Coordinator Mei has 7+ years of experience working with youth of all ages. Mei oversees the marketing operations at LearnUp and guides families through the financial aid process. Outside of LearnUp, Mei enjoys making art and hanging out with her cat Juju! Team Leads Ayo Babatunde Data Team Lead Ayo is a Data Science graduate from Minerva University in San Francisco. He worked in multiple summer camps and afterschool programs before joining LearnUp as a tutor/analyst. He enjoys playing volleyball on the weekends. Kayla Webster Tutor and Outreach Team Lead Kayla graduated from Pitzer College in Claremont California with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She has been working with students ages 3-15 for several years! Outside of tutoring, Kayla enjoys crocheting, thrifting, and watching early 00’s reality tv. Tutors Anita Bermudez Alonso Tutor Originally from Mexico and fluent in Spanish, Anita is passionate about helping students recognize their potential and feel supported in their growth. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UW-Madison and is currently completing her master’s in counseling psychology. Outside of work, Anita enjoys yoga, dance, and photography. Ariel Saunders Tutor Ariel has always been passionate about reading and uplifting her community. A proud Brooklyn native and daughter of Caribbean immigrants, she is an Art History major with a minor in Education. Currently, she serves as the Boys and Girls Club LearnUp liaison. In her spare time, you can catch her alter ego, Kiki Van Gogh, a professional wrestler, making waves in New York. Caitlin Schilt Tutor Caitlin has tutored in schools all over San Francisco. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from University of California at Santa Cruz. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys attending poetry events, making jewelry, and going on nature walks. Claudia Lopez Tutor Claudia received her Bachelors of Science in Nutrition in Science with an emphasis in Public Health from the University of California, Davis. Claudia is currently obtaining her Masters of Science in Nutrition in Science with an emphasis in Dietetics at San José State University. Outside of tutoring, Claudia enjoy spending time weight-lifting, reading, and painting. Courtney Schwass Tutor Courtney was born and raised in the East Bay and currently resides in Oakland. She has a decade of experience wearing goofy costumes as a summer camp director for elementary-age kids and has been involved in the performing arts since she was a youngster. Courtney loves to walk alongside students as they build confidence in their reading and writing skills at LearnUp. Hope Hanson Tutor Hope graduated from the University of North Carolina in 2024. She is currently getting her MFA in acting from NYU, and will be returning to New York in August. She’s an avid San Francisco sports fan, and love spending time with her twin sister, Lily. Jamie Lo Tutor Jamie received a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and has worked with students since they were in high school. Outside of tutoring, Jamie enjoys crocheting, solving escape rooms, and spending time with their two cats. Jonathan Aban-Hermosura Tutor Jonathan is from San Francisco and graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. Before LearnUp, he worked at the SDSU police department and at a summer camp for four years. Outside of tutoring , Jonathan works at a homeless shelter, and loves to cook at home for family and friends. Karina Pidroutchniak Tutor Karina started tutoring at LearnUp in February 2022 and currently assists in administrative work as well. She graduated from EMU with a Bachelor in Nursing in 2021 where she first started tutoring nursing classes. She’s gained experience working with youth through teaching skiing, violin, and working in a daycare. Laura Brainard Tutor Laura has been a LearnUp tutor for 5 years. She specializes in securing literacy grants for low-income students through LearnUp. She attended Waldorf Teacher Training and has worked at elementary schools as a Kindergarten assistant and in after-school programs. Laura Findlay Tutor Laura graduated from the University of Southern California where she studied archeology, visual anthropology, and cinematic arts. Fun fact about Laura: she can speak 3 languages (English, Arabic, and French)! Her favorite book is American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. Madeline Kleindienst Tutor Madeline has an Associates Degree in English Literature and is earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development at San Diego State University. She spends her free time outdoors where she enjoys hiking and playing with her dog, Charlotte. Makaena Gee Tutor Makaena has a passion for education and helping students work towards their goals. She has worked with a diverse student population in her time as a teacher in various summer programs and as a tutor. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from the University of California, San Diego. Mathilda Silverstein Tutor Mathilda graduated from UC Davis with degrees in Human Developmental Ecology and Gender Studies. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology at SFSU. In her free time, she plays with her two cats, sings, and roller skates in Golden Gate Park. Puck Hartsough Tutor Puck Hartsough (they/them) is a recent graduate of Oberlin College with a degree in Creative Writing and Classical Civilization. They have worked as a camp counselor with young queer students, and as a peer tutor while at college. During their free time, they enjoy beekeeping, taiko drumming, and knitting. Rebecca Madsen Tutor Rebecca received her B.A. in English Literature and Natural Sciences from the University of San Francisco. Outside of LearnUp, she likes to read, run, and make art. Fun fact about Rebecca: LearnUp Centers - LearnUp Centers Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search   Get Started with a FREE Reading Assessment It's the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. LearnUp Centers teaches struggling readers, with or without a diagnosis of dyslexia, to read in about 1/2 the time of other reading programs. Schedule Your Assessment   15% Off Sessions - Summer Reading Intensives Beat the Summer Reading Slide and register for reading tutoring with LearnUp! Learn More   Structured Phonics Training Workshop - Now 50% Off Learn to how to teach students to read using a Structured Literacy curriculum aligned to the Science of Reading. Learn More 1 1 Get Started with a FREE Reading Assessment It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. LearnUp Centers teaches struggling readers, with or without a diagnosis of dyslexia, to read in about 1/2 the time of other reading programs. GET YOUR FREE ASSESSMENT The LearnUp Difference LearnUp is on a mission is to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. 1 Structured Literacy Our curriculum integrates the best practices of Orton-Gillingham based programs, speech therapy, structured phonics, and the latest in brain research. 2 Proprietary Chapter Books LearnUp uses decodable chapter books so students can immediately practice their new reading concepts within a storybook environment. 3 Hands-on & Experiential We use a tactile, multi-sensory magnetic board to actively teach phonics and ½ of every tutoring session is spent reading books. 4 One on One Tutoring Our highly-trained tutors give your kids the skills, personalized attention, and confidence to read. 5 Ongoing Enrollment LearnUp enrolls all year round and has tutors available to fit your child’s needs and schedule. 6 Evidenced-based Results In just 3 months of tutoring, the average LearnUp student increases word fluency by more than 50%, gains over 44 words per minute in fluency and Jumps 2.0 grade levels in reading. RESOURCES TESTIMONIALS PRICING “LearnUp is so efficient – they get the best results while also being the least time intensive and costly. Other programs wanted our son to commit 2-3 hours a day for several months, which would have been much more expensive and difficult to schedule.” – Russell H., LearnUp Parent Play Video Play Video Program Impact On average, LearnUp students increase their word fluency by more than 50% and jump 2 reading grade levels in under 3-4 months of tutoring. SEE MORE Need Decodable Books? Visit our eBookstore! LearnUp books are exciting adventures that align to our structured phonics program. Our books can be used with other phonics programs. There is a book series for every level and age of learner. BOOKS LearnUp Scholarships LearnUp scholarships are on a sliding scale and are based on family need and the availability of scholarship funds. Click to apply today. APPLY Get Our Newsletter Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay on top of LearnUp’s work, learning and teaching tips, and more! SIGN UP LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Spring 2026 Reading Tutoring Discount | LearnUp Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Spring Special: 20% Off LearnUp’s proven intensive high dosage tutoring ENROLL NOW This spring, LearnUp Centers is offering a limited-time discount on our high-intensity reading intervention program. Get your child reading before the end of the school year! Program Details Discount: 20% off package of 20 sessions Time: Discount applies only to sessions scheduled between 8:00am – 3:00pm Pacific Standard Time (11:00am – 6:00pm Eastern Standard Time) Frequency: 5 days per week, 50 minutes lessons, same time each day Location: In person in San Francisco or Virtually anywhere a child has a wifi and a computer Terms: Tuition is paid in advance and non-refundable in case of missed sessions. Start With A Free Assessment The LearnUp Difference LearnUp Centers teaches struggling readers, with or without a diagnosis of dyslexia, to read at grade level and beyond. In about 1/2 the time of most other programs. The average LearnUp student learns to read in about 80 hours. 1 Structured Literacy Our curriculum integrates the best practices of Orton-Gillingham based programs, speech therapy, structured phonics, and the latest in brain research. 2 Proprietary Chapter Books LearnUp uses decodable chapter books so students can immediately practice their new reading concepts within a storybook environment. 3 Hands-on & Experiential We use a tactile, multi-sensory magnetic or digital boards to actively teach phonics and ½ of every tutoring session is spent reading books. 4 Looking Ahead? Our 3-week summer intensives are discounted by 15% off our regular tuition. Each intensive course costs $1,450 and includes 1:1 tutoring sessions, assessments, books, and materials. 5 Highly Trained Tutors Tutors complete LearnUp’s thorough training that teaches them our multidisciplinary structured phonics curriculum designed to teach any child to read. 6 Program Schedule Research shows that daily reading lessons in structured phonics improve word attack and reading growth. Our lessons are 50 minutes a day, 5 days a week. This is the fastest and most effective approach. RESOURCES TESTIMONIALS PRICING Program Impact On average, LearnUp students increase their word fluency by more than 50% and jump 2 reading grade levels in under 3-4 months of tutoring. SEE MORE Need Decodable Books? Visit our eBookstore! LearnUp books are exciting adventures that align to our structured phonics program. Our books can be used with other phonics programs. There is a book series for every level and age of learner. BOOKS LearnUp Scholarships LearnUp scholarships are on a sliding scale and are based on family need and the availability of scholarship funds. Click to apply today. APPLY Get Our Newsletter Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay on top of LearnUp’s work, learning and teaching tips, and more! SIGN UP LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Give to LearnUp via Donor Advised Fund | DAF Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Support LearnUp with Your Donor Advised Fund Donate with a DAF Online LearnUp uses a company called Every.org to process stock and crypto donations and contributions via your Donor Advised Fund. USE A DAF TO DONATE TO LEARNUP CENTERS Donate with the DAF Direct Form Select the sponsoring organization from the “Donate now from” field. Enter the amount (in dollars) you would like to recommend in the “Amount” field. Click on the “NEXT” button to proceed to the sponsoring organization’s website to complete your donor advised fund transaction. Please note, you will be directed to an external website to complete your transaction. If you have a DAF with a sponsoring organization not represented on this list, you can still recommend grants the button above. Hear how learning to read changed Lebraun’s life. How We Help Lebraun was a 7th grader when we started working with him. Hear the difference after just 50 hours with us. Hear For Yourself What is a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)? Get a Guide to DAFS This guide to DAFs was created by Chariot, a company focused on making it easier to donate to nonprofits through Donor Advised Funds. Get the DAF Guide by Chariot Give the gift of reading. We believe every child, regardless of income, deserves to learn how to read. LearnUp Centers uses a one-for-one model For every paying student, LearnUp provides a scholarship for a deserving child. Unlike other one-for-one giving programs, we are not simply giving away a product. Instead, we are teaching reading skills that last a lifetime. Because of donors like you, LearnUp Centers can offer scholarships to low-income, struggling readers and their families. Other ways to Donate Donate via Bank Transfer/ACH Bank transfers are quick and easy — and don’t cost either party a fee. Please reach out to us for the account and routing numbers at [email protected] or call us at (415) 944-7323‍3 Donate with a Text Just text “ learntoread ” to 44-321‍2. Send a Check Mail checks to: LearnUp Centers 2325 Pine St. San Francisco, CA 94115 Top Rated Nonprofit LearnUp Centers is a nonprofit 501(c)3. Our EIN is 47-2262474. “We are so thrilled with Kai’s reading progress!!! Last night he read a bedtime story to all of us that I normally read–we were all blown away. THANK YOU. Without a scholarship to LearnUp this never would have happened.” – Amy R, LearnUp parent Watch Kai jump two grade levels. After several international moves, Kai was struggling to catch up to his peers in his new 3rd grade class. After just 80 hours with LearnUp, Kai’s reading skills reached 3rd grade level. SEE MORE LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Board & Leadership | LearnUp Centers San Francisco Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Meet our leadership and partners. Leadership Steve Hagler , Executive Director Steve is a life-long educator and nonprofit manager. Steve began his career as a classroom educator in the San Francisco Unified School District. As a teacher, he created outdoor and experiential programs for students at-risk of dropping out of school. Steve served as executive director of the Foundation for Youth Investment (now called Youth Outside), where he guided over $13 million in funding to get youth connected to the outdoors, help reduce the barriers that keep kids from going into nature, and worked to change the face of outdoor instruction. Steve holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a secondary education credential and master’s degree in Education from San Francisco State University. Pascal and Virginie Rigo , Lead Founders & Funders Their son struggled for years to learn how to read until he met Steve Tattum. The Rigos saw the change in their son, and wanted others, especially kids in low-income communities, to overcome their reading struggles. Pascal and Virginie have led the way by starting the LearnUp nonprofit organization, providing in-kind space in La Boulangerie’s corporate offices in San Francisco to host the reading clinic, and by providing financial support to help deserving students learn to read. Steve Tattum , Reading Director Steve has been teaching kids to read for over 40 years. He developed the Tattum Reading Program (also known as F.A.S.T.) and is sharing that proven curriculum with LearnUp to scale his success with more students and schools in the Bay Area. Meet our dedicated board members. Pascal Rigo LearnUp parent Restaurateur, founder, La Boulangerie de San Francisco Co-lead funder and founder of LearnUp Virginie Rigo LearnUp parent Controller, Bay Bread LLC. Co-lead funder and founder of LearnUp Amory Donohue Founder and CEO of Language in Action/ ¡Hola Kids! Co-founder of Boost Preschool for children with developmental and learning disabilities B.S. in Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology Josh Brankman Executive Leader Education and Conservation Advocate Executive Director at Outward Bound USA M.A. in Educational Leadership from University of California, Berkeley Brian Sauer Citywide Director of Education at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco B.A. in Anthropology from Marquette University California Single Subject Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University Emeritus Board Members Carolyne Connor LearnUp parent President of Matchstar (executive recruiting) Deeply “connected” in the search industry B.A. in Business Administration Georgetown University Michele Ramos Walker LearnUp Parent Client Services, investment management, Jordan Park. Operations management, ALFA Partners & Bernstein Nonprofit boards: Circus Bella. BA in Sociology UCLA. Lisa Lyon Founder & Community Outreach Director, Decoding Dyslexia Oregon Advocate for systemic change so that all children, regardless of their economic background will be taught to read Private tutor Hal Cranston LearnUp grandparent Business manager Nonprofit boards: Yosemite Conservancy, Episcopal Charities, St. Luke’s, Stanford BA and MBA Stanford Devin Hunter LearnUp community partner Expanded Learning Director at Bridge Upper Academy Former Assistant Director at Boys & Girls Club SF Visitacion Valley Clubhouse Americorps member at City Year in East San Jose U.S. Air Force veteran Partners As a nonprofit, we get significant support from our pro-bono partners. They treat us like paying clients and deliver top-notch products. Check them out. La Boulangerie de San Francisco has been operating in the Bay Area since 1995, founded by French baker Pascal Rigo. Since the beginning, our mission has been to bring a little taste of France to every customer every day, with a great smile, great coffee, and great food. Learn more The Imagineering Company is a strategic writing firm that provides everything from content strategy and creation to naming and positioning. Learn more Randle Design is a design agency that creates amazing print, digital and brand experiences for clients big and small. Learn more Zapier Connect Your Apps and Automate Workflows. Learn more Mailtrack Free email tracking for Gmail. Learn more LearnUp provides FREE reading assessments. It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. Sign Up Now LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Summer Reading Program for Struggling Readers | LearnUp Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search ENROLL NOW We can teach your child to read this summer! Whether your child is falling behind or you want to prevent the summer slide, summer is the best time to make reading gains! There’s no reason to choose between improving your child’s reading and enjoying a great summer vacation. Our summer Reading Intensives are designed for busy families like yours. Our Summer Reading Intensives are three-week-long programs allowing families to get the one-on-one instruction in a targeted program that fits into busy summer schedules. All summer reading sessions can be conducted either in-person or virtually over Zoom, meaning your child can continue tutoring regardless of their summer location. Summer Schedule Session 1: June 11 – July 2 (No Session June 19th) Session 2: July 6 – July 24 Session 3: July 27 – August 14 Program Details 50 minute sessions, 5 days a week, 1:1 with a tutor Sessions available between 7am and 7pm PT Virtual or in-person modality 3-week sessions are offered at a discounted rate — paid upfront Spots are limited and fill quickly, so we encourage early enrollment Financial aid is available on a sliding scale REGISTER FOR SUMMER 2026 READING INTENSIVES! Summer Impact Many students experience the Summer Reading Slide, but your child doesn’t have to. Last summer, LearnUp worked with nearly 100 students with their reading. Here are some of their stories. The LearnUp Difference LearnUp Centers teaches struggling readers, with or without a diagnosis of dyslexia, to read at grade level and beyond. In about 1/2 the time of most other programs. The average LearnUp student learns to read in about 80 hours. 1 Structured Literacy Our curriculum integrates the best practices of Orton-Gillingham based programs, speech therapy, structured phonics, and the latest in brain research. 2 Proprietary Chapter Books LearnUp uses decodable chapter books so students can immediately practice their new reading concepts within a storybook environment. 3 Hands-on & Experiential We use a tactile, multi-sensory magnetic or digital boards to actively teach phonics and ½ of every tutoring session is spent reading books. 4 Summer Discount Our 3-week summer intensives are discounted by 15% off our regular tuition. Each intensive course costs $1,450 and includes 1:1 tutoring sessions, assessments, books, and materials. 5 Highly Trained Tutors Tutors complete LearnUp’s thorough training that teaches them our multidisciplinary structured phonics curriculum designed to teach any child to read. 6 Program Schedule Research shows that daily reading lessons in structured phonics improve word attack and reading growth. Our lessons are 50 minutes a day, 5 days a week. This is the fastest and most effective approach. RESOURCES TESTIMONIALS PRICING Need Decodable Books? Visit our eBookstore! LearnUp books are exciting adventures that align to our structured phonics program. Our books can be used with other phonics programs. There is a book series for every level and age of learner. BOOKS LearnUp Scholarships LearnUp scholarships are on a sliding scale and are based on family need and the availability of scholarship funds. Click to apply today. APPLY Get Our Newsletter Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay on top of LearnUp’s work, learning and teaching tips, and more! SIGN UP LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE LearnUp Talks | Reading & Literacy Expert Conversations Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Conversations on reading and literacy LearnUp Talks is a new series on reading and literacy hosted by LearnUp Centers. Each month we engage a hot-button issue in the field of reading and education. And it’s totally free. Why is my child struggling to read? In this 40 minute free recording of a Facebook live stream, Steve Tattum, creator of Tattum Reading and the Reading Director for LearnUp was in conversation with Steve Hagler, LearnUp’s Executive Director. Steve T. explains why children have difficulty learning to read and what parents and educators can do about it. They also discuss why so many of American students struggle to learn how to read with the most common approaches used in the today’s elementary school classroom and how to identify an effective reading program. LearnUp’s reading program is grounded in the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching reading, Steve T. explains how our approach differs from other reading programs using similar pedagogies. (40:00) Literacy Justice This video features three educators discussing the challenges around Literacy as a Social Justice issue. Steve Hagler, Executive Director of LearnUp Centers, is joined by Dr. Mechele Newell and Dr. Jamal Cooks. (01:06) What Role Should After-school Programs Play in Teaching Kids to Read? Join LearnUp’s Executive Director, Steve Hagler, and his guests Dr. Carol Hill of the San Francisco Beacon Initiative, and Brian Sauer & Devin Hunter of the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco in a conversation on the role of after-school programs as a primary provider of reading skills for all children.Too frequently, schools don’t have the bandwidth or time to provide specialized reading programs to all the students that need them. How can after-school programs take up the slack and deliver essential reading skills to struggling readers? The panelist will also discuss learnings from a year-long pilot program with the BGCSF and LearnUp to deliver tutoring directly into the BGCSF clubhouses. (01:00) Stay Informed of Future LearnUp Talks LearnUp provides FREE reading assessments. It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. Sign Up Now LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Student Reading Success Stories | LearnUp Centers Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Hear the Change. Play Video Play Video Watch Max go from guessing to reading. As a 3rd grader, before Max began at LearnUp, he had really low confidence, not just in his reading, but in himself and was falling behind in his school subjects. Before he entered LearnUp Max was taught to guess. In this video, you can see Max go from guessing at the words on the page to reading them. Play Video Play Video Watch Diana become an independent reader. Diana came to LearnUp as a second grader struggling to read one-syllable words. While she always loved books, she couldn’t read them. After just 80 hours of tutoring, she is reading independently. She is reading more accurately and faster. Importantly, her confidence is growing. Play Video Play Video Watch Beberly learn how to read. When Beberly joined LearnUp, she was in the 3rd grade and could only read simple one syllable words. She was struggling to learn English and had trouble keeping up in school. LearnUp first worked with her through our partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco. Over a two year period, we worked off and on Beberly through the San Francisco Unified School District and in the 23-2024 school year through the Real Options for City Kids program at Visitacion Valley Elementary School. In this LearnUp story, watch as Beberly goes from being a cautious, slow reader to a confident reader. Play Video Play Video Watch Arie transform her reading. In this video, you’ll see the Arie grow in her reading in just four months of tutoring. Arie came to us when she was a 5th grader and was barely able to read simple one syllable words – meaning she was extremely behind. But after working with her dedicated tutor, Arie is now sounding out words rather than guessing. She is now learning the skills to become a more fluent reader and is getting closer to this goal each and every day! Play Video Play Video Watch Kai jump two grade levels. After several international moves, Kai was struggling to catch up to his peers in his new 3rd grade class. After just 80 hours with LearnUp, Kai’s reading skills reached 3rd grade level. Play Video Play Video Watch Lyuba transform his reading. As a 3rd grader, Lyuba was reading at below Kindergarten first grade level. In less than 4 months of tutoring at LearnUp, Lyuba went from non-reader to reading above the 3rd grade level. Play Video Play Video Watch Kevin learn to read. As a 5th grader, Kevin was reading at below the first grade level when he enrolled in LearnUp. At school, Kevin was struggling to keep up with his classes and was unable to read even the most basic text. In less than 3 months of tutoring at LearnUp, Kevin went from a non-reader to an emerging reader. Play Video Play Video Watch Nate as he becomes a lifelong reader. Even as a high school graduate, 21-year old Nate was a non-reader. In less than 60 hours, Nate increased his reading to the 6th grade level. LearnUp provides FREE reading assessments. It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. Sign Up Now LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Contact LearnUp Centers | San Francisco Literacy Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Contact Us Parents, partners, educators, learning specialists, and donors– don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to tell you more about LearnUp! Email Us learntoread @learnupcenters.org Call Us (415) 944-7323 Mailing Address 2325 Pine St. San Francisco, CA 94115 In-Person Office 1426 Fillmore St. 221; San Francisco, CA 94115 Want the latest LearnUp news? Join our Mailing List! Thanks! You have been added to our email list. First Name * Last Name * Email * Phone * City State/Province Description What are you interested in? Tutoring Services Partnerships Training Decodable Books Middle School/High School Program   LearnUp provides FREE reading assessments. It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. Sign Up Now LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE LearnUp Blog Archives - LearnUp Centers Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Category LearnUp Blog What Is Structured Literacy? What Every Parent of a Struggling Reader Needs to Know LearnUp Blog Science of Reading What Is Structured Literacy? What Every Parent of a Struggling Reader Needs to Know The human brain was not designed to read. Reading is a skill that must be explicitly taught — and for decades, most schools got it wrong. Here's what structured literacy is, why it works, and how LearnUp uses it to teach every child to read. Quickly. Steve Hagler April 14, 2026 How Your Child Can Benefit From a Summer Reading Program LearnUp Blog How Your Child Can Benefit From a Summer Reading Program As a parent, you may well spend part of each spring making plans for your child’s summer activities. Summer is an excellent time for kids to take a breather from the classroom, but it’s by no means a time for them to stop learning and growing—or reading. admin April 29, 2024 No, your kids don’t need to ‘catch up’ this summer LearnUp Blog No, your kids don’t need to ‘catch up’ this summer In an op-ed for San Francisco Chronicle, Steve Hagler discusses how parents should resist the pressure of feeling like their kids need to spend their summer months trying to "catch up". Instead, Hagler, LearnUp's Executive Director, educated readers on why simply focusing on reading is the better alternative. admin January 10, 2024 COVID Reading Slide LearnUp Blog COVID Reading Slide As a parent, you may well spend part of each spring making plans for your child’s summer activities. Summer is an excellent time for kids to take a breather from the classroom, but it’s by no means a time for them to stop learning and growing—or reading. admin May 10, 2023 Search Recent Posts What Is Structured Literacy? What Every Parent of a Struggling Reader Needs to Know How Your Child Can Benefit From a Summer Reading Program No, your kids don’t need to ‘catch up’ this summer COVID Reading Slide LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Online Reading Training in Structured Literacy | LearnUp Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search This Summer, Learn How To Teach Anyone to Read Structured Literacy Training Course Perfect for Educators, Paraprofessionals, and Parents Online Instruction, Training Videos, and Materials for Hands-On Practice Get Started Today! Price: $1050 $500 Structured Literacy Online Course Full 20-hour course covering LearnUp’s complete structured literacy program Video lessons and instructional materials included Digital copy of the Tattum Lessons Book provided Learn from a program designed for students with dyslexia Self-paced and self-directed format — progress at your own convenience Certificate of completion awarded upon finishing the course Price: Additional $1600 $550 (with Course Enrollment) Theory to Practice Live Training (Add-On) Sign Up by June 12th, 2026. 16-hours over the course of 8 weeks. Meet 2 hours/week with a cohort. Hands-on, experiential sessions that move from theory to skill building to real-world application Interactive and fast-paced, with opportunities for personalized guidance and feedback Virtual through Zoom Get Started Today Questions? Email us at [email protected]. Core Program Components Sounds Learn techniques to teach students how to pronounce letter sounds correctly using magnetic or digital boards. Correct pronunciation is essential for building a solid reading foundation. Syllables Master the steps to guide students in constructing and reading nonsense words from 1-6 syllables. This syllable practice develops decoding skills and phonetic understanding. Words Learn how to integrate phonetic words into daily reading, spelling, and writing exercises to enhance reading fluency and vocabulary retention. Reading and Comprehension Each lesson dedicates time to reading from structured chapter books that increase in complexity. You’ll use our “Pressure Release” technique, a read-aloud strategy that supports comprehension and fluency. Writing Discover methods for engaging reluctant writers. Students complete a written response in every session, building comprehension by summarizing, predicting, and inferring story elements. Fluency We provide fluency techniques, such as “Repeated Readings,” to encourage daily practice and reinforce neural pathways associated with reading. This technique also allows our families to support ongoing literacy development at home. Frequently Asked Questions When can I take the course? The course is self-paced so you can take it whenever and where ever you are. You can also join a live cohort to make sure you have someone to practice with. What makes this course so great? Self-Paced Online: Learn on your couch, in your pajamas, at your speed. Live Cohort: Join the optional live training cohort to put theory to practice. Real Lesson Videos: Don’t just read about it—see exactly how it’s done. Lesson Plans Included: Zero prep work. Walk into your next session ready to go. Certificate: Share your expertise to employers and parents. How many hours are in the training? The training includes 20 hours of core instruction, supplemented by 10 hours of bonus videos, pdfs, and live lessons for in-depth learning. Do you have a short description of your program? The LearnUp program uses a structured, multi-disciplinary phonics curriculum with proprietary decodable chapter books that allow students to practice reading concepts within a story context. Lessons cover sounds, syllables, words, reading, comprehension, and writing in a customizable format. Is this an Orton-Gillingham based course? Yes, the course incorporates Orton-Gillingham principles, alongside best practices from programs like Lindamood-Bell and other nationally known reading programs, paired with the latest research to offer a superior systematic program. How long has this program been around? With over 40 years of success, the program was developed by Steve Tattum, a reading specialist with expertise in various reading methods. It has been widely used with exceptional results across schools and districts. “ This should be taught to every elementary teacher. Linda Farnell-Silva “ I'm a parent and wife of dyslexics. So what now after the diagnosis? #1: This class. Heather Doolittle “ This is an incredible tool to help all children from beginners to adults that need the help. Elizabeth Jones “ "As fast as you can; as slow as you must!" What a great approach for our kids! It's not about us and the program's procedure; it's about them and their needs. This allows me to come to them, wherever they are, and then go beyond...quickly, and efficiently! Janice Mcgowan “ I know the program works as my son has improved tremendously through it within 3 months of summer! Ina von Wunsch “ Thank you SO much for the opportunity to take this class. I learned SO much and will definitely be able to use this knowledge to benefit kids! Thanks again! Debra Asiano LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Reading Tutoring for Teens | LearnUp Centers Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Help Your Teen Read and Change Their Future Does your teenager struggle to read, negatively impacting their self-confidence and success in all school subjects? We get it. LearnUp offers a curriculum designed specifically for teens to engage your student in compelling, age-appropriate content that builds literacy skills without embarrassment or frustration. It’s proven: On average, our teenage clients learn to read in just 80 hours , gaining the skills, confidence, and independence they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond. Why LearnUp Works Built for Middle & High School Students: Targets teens, not repurposed from early elementary programs Evidence-aligned: Leverages scientifically proven structured literacy methods that deliver measurable results Structured Phonics Instruction: Teaches essential skills in a supportive, confidence-building manner Culturally Relevant Decodable Books: Offers original chapter books written for older students by LearnUp staff Teaches Comprehension, Spelling, & Writing Strategies: Strengthens understanding, expression, to ensure transfer across all subjects What Difference We Make In just 3 months, the average teenager: Increases word fluency by more than 50% Gains over 44 words per minute in fluency Jumps 2 grade levels in reading Learns to read at an independent reading level The key to unlocking success is a free reading assessment! Request Free Assessment “LearnUp is so efficient – they get the best results while also being the least time intensive and costly. Other programs wanted our son to commit 2-3 hours a day for several months, which would have been much more expensive and difficult to schedule.” – Russell H., LearnUp Parent How We Help Lebraun was a 7th grader when we started working with him. Hear the difference after just 50 hours with us. Hear For Yourself Need Decodable Books? Visit our eBookstore! LearnUp books are exciting adventures that align to our structured phonics program. Our books can be used with other phonics programs. There is a book series for every level and age of learner. BOOKS LearnUp Scholarships LearnUp scholarships are on a sliding scale and are based on family need and the availability of scholarship funds. Click to apply today. APPLY Get Our Newsletter Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay on top of LearnUp’s work, learning and teaching tips, and more! SIGN UP LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Love LearnUp? Share Your Story With Other Families Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Filming a LearnUp Testimonial Thank you so much for choosing LearnUp to support your student’s reading. To assist us with providing reading services for more students, we would love to have your feedback on your experience with us. Here is how to film a testimonial. Camera Setup Make sure to have a clear camera set up and make sure your face and upper body are clear and visible. If recording by yourself: Set the recording device on a flat even surface. Make sure the camera angle is even and not tilted. You can take a practice photo to make sure you are centered and evenly spaced If recording with someone: have the camera person make sure you are centered and evenly spaced from the camera. Testimonial Questions What is your name and what is your role in the student’s life? What was it like asking <student name> to read before LearnUp? Tell a story What is it like now? Tell a story Have you noticed an improvement in <student name’s> reading since working with us? What was the most helpful part about the program for <student name>? What do you wish more people knew about how to teach reading? Anything else you would like to share about your experience working with LearnUp? Turning it in When you finish recording your testimonial, please use this link/email to send it to us. If you need further assistance or would prefer to meet with someone on our team to complete your testimonial, please email your inquiry here: [email protected] LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE LearnUp's Reading Impact | Student Outcomes & Results Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search What do LearnUp students say? “I like it because it makes me happy. I can read bigger words. And can read by myself.” “I feel more confident at school.” “Now, I kinda like reading.” “I like the stories, they aren’t boring like my program at school.” “This program has really helped me.” “I like being here. I learned to read here and it’s fun.” “I read the paper every day. I never used to do that.” What is the LearnUp community saying? Read Kylie F. ‘s review of LearnUp Centers on Yelp Testimonials ” Man, I am in SHOCK at what Leo can read now. It’s honestly crazy. I had to take him for this IER assessment on Sat about an hour away, and as we got there, he says: “Are we meeting on Deerwood St?” I said: “Yes, did I mention that?” He said, “no, but it’s on the side of the building. You forgot I can read now!” Then when we went to Baskin Robbins later, and he read an entire sign to me in the store that said: “Thank you for practicing social distancing. 6 feet closer to Ice Cream!” He literally read it perfectly word-for-word, only stumbling a little with “practicing.” These aren’t 2nd grade words; that’s what blew me away. More importantly, Leo now BELIEVES that he is a good reader . . . confidence that he never had. – Tim Tonella ” Transition to online tutoring has gone well, now that the school closure continues indefinitely & LearnUp is going well, can we add another hour of online tutoring? — Alison Henry ” Daniel is happy to spend time with his dedicated tutors. They are supportive and set him up for success. I see him fully engaged throughout the sessions. The methodology is working. I used parts of the method, myself, to help Daniel with a school project. I think this program is going to make a difference. — Pam R. ” 4th grade is going well for Ben. I have seen such a marked improvement in his ability and willingness to write. Before Learnup, it was such a chore to get him to put words on paper. Now, Ben enjoys writing and even wrote on 2 topics during his last writing assignment in school. In addition, Ben continues to use the techniques he learned at LearnUp including his post it's. We can't thank you enough for making reading and writing more fun and easier for him and are proud to support what you do for other kids who need help. — Tracy Keyser ” Thanks again for giving Eli a great base to grow from as a reader. We could not be more pleased with the progress he has made. — Gypsy Achong ” As a mother, it was hard for me to see the effect of our relocating on Kai's progress in school, but even more so on his self confidence. The LearnUp program has not only given him rock solid reading skills, it has also reestablished his belief in himself! — Amy Rogers ” LearnUp is WONDERFUL and it works!!! We were SO happy to find LearnUp and THRILLED with the results for our child. I am a former elementary school teacher and have been trained in Lindamood-Bell (LMB), and other literacy programs. I did not feel good about the intervention my child was getting at his school (a top-tier public school) and I determined working with him by myself would be ineffective for a number of reasons. I started to do some research and picked LearnUp based on what seemed like a balanced program. Steve Tattum has decades of experience with kids with learning differences and has been trained in all kinds of literacy intervention programs; his program takes the ‘best practices’ from other programs and creates a well-rounded, effective reading program. I felt that other programs such as LMB were too rigid/ formulaic. I’m so glad we enrolled our child at LearnUp as both his reading skills and confidence grew tremendously as a result. Another big factor was that LearnUp was less expensive than similar programs. Additionally, my child loved being trained by a highly skilled college student. The LearnUp Instructional tutors are regularly monitored and coached. Our tutor was mature and knowledgeable, but also fun –my child loved coming to work with her. The materials were also interesting and age appropriate. Our child’s confidence grew lots and he went from reading at kinder level to middle of second grade (based on Fountas & Pinnell). I know these kinds of programs are a big financial and time commitment no matter where you go, but I think you actually pay less for more at LearnUp. Also, I urge any parent to get their kiddo help before it’s too late; early intervention is important and individual and intensive (5x a week) support is most effective. There’s no substitute for this kind of early one-on-one instruction and it’s not worth it to “wait and see.” — Pha-Pha Hamilton ” Our daughter grasped LearnUp’s reading concepts quickly. She made noticeable improvements within 10 hours of instruction. This was a great relief to us as the helpless feeling of waiting for the reading to “click” was over. LearnUp did a reading assessment, targeted problem areas and drafted out a plan with a time frame. Before LearnUp, our daughter would stumble through almost every sentence in a book at her grade level. She gave up on sounding out multi-syllable words and skipped words. Needless to say, this affected her comprehension and affected her learning in other subjects. She now reads with confidence and expression. Her 3rd-grade teacher has commented on the great strides made. Well worth the 3 intensive months at LearnUp. — Diane DallasKidd ” LearnUp has been nothing but the best thing that happened to mine and my daughter, Naomi’s life. I have struggled for years to get help with her reading. I’d try one program and then get sent to another being told she will somehow get it. I finally found LearnUp through her new school. Naomi was in 5th grade and she was reading at an early Kinder level. She was doing very bad in school and had very low self-esteem. She didn’t want to try and gave up easily. It was extremely difficult for her as well as me because I saw the worst part, her crying, frustrated, struggling, and suffering. We came to LearnUp and met with Steve Tattum. I want to admit I was a bit skeptical after going through everything we’ve gone through. I had to give it a chance. Anything for my daughter, and I finally brought her to LearnUp. The first day I brought her and picked her up after 1 hour of tutoring, she was reading words all by herself. I was so happy I cried. For the first time Naomi felt good and proud that she could read. She explained to me she knows how to read but the problem was she had to teach her brain. I laughed. She felt like she really could read. I kept bringing her and after 1 month she was up from A level to an F level in reading. Naomi has only gotten better, not only in reading but at school with all her academics. She has so much confidence that she has begun doing school work on her own. She is happy to do classwork in class Compensatory Education Reading Services | LearnUp Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search LearnUp Compensatory Education Programs Solving Reading Problems—Not Just Cases When a student has fallen behind in reading, families and districts want results—not red tape. LearnUp helps both sides move forward with confidence. We partner with families, school districts, and advocates to deliver evidence-aligned, high-impact reading instruction that closes skill gaps quickly and sustainably. Our goal is simple: to solve the problem by teaching children to read, not just fulfill the settlement. LearnUp delivers breakthrough results for the students who need it most—especially for those students who have not learned to read with other programs. What makes LearnUp Different Evidence-Aligned, Not Generic: LearnUp uses a structured literacy approach grounded in the science of reading. Every lesson builds decoding, fluency, spelling, comprehension, and confidence. Immediate Progress through Practice: Students apply new skills right away with LearnUp’s unique decodable chapter books , turning practice into purpose. Designed for Speed: Our program is built to get students reading fast . By the time compensatory education students enroll, they’ve already lost valuable time. LearnUp focuses on rapid progress—so every session counts and every week brings visible gains. High-Intensity, Hands-On Tutoring: Daily one-on-one sessions (ideally five days per week) create momentum and measurable growth. Expert Tutors, Proven Methods: Each LearnUp tutor is trained in our hands-on, experiential teaching model and supported by ongoing coaching and assessment. Accessible Anywhere: In-person at our San Francisco clinic (Fillmore & Geary) or virtually nationwide. LearnUp Comp Ed Student Outcomes Real Progress, Measurable Results LearnUp’s compensatory education students don’t just make up for lost time—they surpass expectations. Based on an average of 130 tutoring sessions per student , LearnUp’s structured, high-intensity model produces rapid, measurable growth across all key reading domains. And importantly— these are the students schools have found most difficult to teach to read. Many have received years of intervention without success. LearnUp’s approach gives them a clear path forward, rebuilding confidence alongside skill. 2.9 Grade Levels of Reading Growth : On average, students gained nearly three grade levels in the complexity of text they could read confidently—paired with a 21-word-per-minute improvement in fluency . These reading gains moved students to independent reading levels , giving them access to books, assignments, and ideas they could not engage with before enrolling in LearnUp. Transfer Beyond Decodable Texts: LearnUp students successfully apply their phonics skills in non-decodable, nationally normed texts, demonstrating that their growth transfers beyond structured practice into authentic reading experiences. Learn more about LearnUp’s structured literacy program. LearnUp provides FREE reading assessments. It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. Sign Up Now LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Books by Grade Level — Reading List for Kids | LearnUp Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Recommended Books by Grade Parents often request recommendations for books that their children might like. LearnUp has compiled a curated list of recommended books, organized by grade level. There are many more books listed on our Bookshop page– including seasonal lists– so be sure to check it out ! Don’t be afraid of a challenging book! If your child starts a book and doesn’t find it interesting, don’t force them to finish it. It is important that they find something that captivates their interest. If the book proves to be too challenging, it is okay to read it to them out loud or have them listen to an audiobook version while following along in the text. Download a PDF list of our recommended books! Preschool These books are perfect to read together with your child. George and Martha by James Marshall These lovable hippos engage in a series of short adventures which aim to teach young readers pertinent lessons about friendship and kindness. While sweet and humorous, George and Martha’s stories are a perfect vehicle to discuss the importance of our actions. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein An evergreen classic tale, The Giving Tree tells the story of friendship between a boy and a tree. It raises questions about kindness, compassion, and reciprocity, and is a thought provoking read for parents and children alike. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown Another beloved classic, Goodnight Moon is a pioneering installment in the genre of “bedtime books”, which have been observed to facilitate parent-child bedtime negotiations. The Book that Almost Rhymed by Omar Abed Children are sure to enjoy guessing what wacky word might come next when every rhyme in this story is interrupted by the author’s younger sister! The Book that Almost Rhymed is both witty and silly, challenging young readers’ imagination. Amy Wu Adventures Series by Kat Zhang This series of picture books follows Amy Wu ash she endeavors to tackle new challenges. With the help of her family and friends, Amy is empowered to achieve her goals– even if things don’t turn out exactly as she wanted. First Grade Scholastic Acorn Collection Various Authors The Scholastic Acorn collection is a fantastic place to start for a first grade reader. This collection includes a variety of books, from fairies to ninjas , talking frogs to talking dragons , or spooky to silly stories — Scholastic Acorn has something for everyone. Elephant and Piggie Series by Mo Willems The Elephant and Piggie picture books are entirely comprised of funny, relatable dialogue between Gerald and Piggie, two best friends who find themselves in a variety of unique situations. The format and thoughtful typography encourages students to experiment with intonation while reading. Little Critter Series by Mercer Mayer Little Critter is a classic and beloved character who partakes in a wide variety of adventures. The books are unique in that Little Critter is often an unreliable narrator– text and illustrations sometimes tell a different story. This clever format challenges young readers’ comprehension skills, and prompts them to piece together the true events of a story. Second Grade The Magic Treehouse Series by Mary Pope Osborne This series is a fantastic place to start for second grade readers. Jack and Annie are sucked into a wide variety of adventures through time and space. Each story explores a historical (or futuristic!) setting, striking a perfect balance between education and entertainment. Here’s Hank by Henry Winkler Based on his own struggles growing up with dyslexia, Henry Winkler’s Here’s Hank spotlights the hilarious Hank, who may struggle in school, but ultimately uses his unique creativity and skills to overcome unexpected challenges and save the day. Junie B. Jones Series by Barbara Park This series’ titular (anti)heroine is relentlessly sassy and absolutely unafraid to voice her opinions. Park masterfully embodies this character as she recounts her hilarious adventures unabashedly. Junie B. Jones is an iconic character among young readers. Ivy and Bean Series by Annie Barrows Could you become best friends with a neighbor you thought was your polar opposite? Ivy and Bean, both uniquely quirky in their own right, form an unexpected alliance. This funny series is full of conflicts young readers will relate to– though we can only hope they take little inspiration from Ivy and Bean’s… disastrously unconventional solutions. Abdul’s Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow Abdul has so many stories to tell, but finds himself feeling limited by his ability to write– words shift, b’s and d’s confuse him, and silent letters evade him. His teacher, however, empowers him to apply himself despite his struggles. This picture book encourages readers not to give up on their passions, even if they feel intimidated by certain aspects. A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbott A Walk in the Words tells the story of a young boy who loves to draw, but often finds himself trapped behind walls of text. Talbott offers thoughtful strategies to readers who may also find reading intimidating. Students may enjoy finding illustrations of common sayings– such as a sea of words– as the picture book embodies its character’s unique appreciation of both reading and writing. Third Grade The Magic School Bus Series by Joanna Cole This classic series is perfect for third grade readers who want to explore their interests through the whimsical science fiction adventures of Miss Frizzle and her magic school bus. The detailed illustrations in this series provide additional dialogue and information. Third Grade Angels by Jerry Spinelli Written at a grade-appropriate level, third grade readers may find themselves relating to George (“Suds”) as he tries struggles to win his teacher’s competition and earn “the halo”– reserved for the kindest, best behaved student. Suds questions what it really means to be kind, and most importantly, if it counts to be kind when no one is around to see it. Tippy Lemmey by Patricia C. McKissack Have you ever met a dog with a last name? Leandra, Paul, and Jeannie have. His name is Tippy Lemmey, and he is a terror… or so they believe. This book tells the fun, charming tale of three children facing their fears. Goosebumps Series by R.L. Stine Each installment in this episodic series tells a chilling tale. From monster theme parks to cursed cameras , these books are sure to keep readers hooked. In the words of R.L. Stine– reader, beware… you’re in for a scare. Parents, we recommend you ensure this spooky series is appropriate for your reader. Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney This isn’t a diary , it’s a journal . And Greg’s only writing in this thing because he knows he’ll Top-Rated Reading & Dyslexia Tutoring San Francisco | LearnUp Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Helping struggling readers in San Francisco gain confidence, fluency, and grade-level skills — one session at a time. San Francisco families choose LearnUp because it works: On average, LearnUp students: ‍ Increase their word fluency by more than 50%, gaining over 44 words per minute in fluency Jump 2.0 grade levels in reading All in under 3 months of tutoring. In Person in San Francisco Come learn in person! We’re at 1426 Fillmore Street, Suite 221, San Francisco, CA 94115. Sessions run Monday through Friday, 50 minutes each. Virtual–Same Results, Anywhere Can’t make it to Fillmore Street? Our virtual program delivers the same curriculum, the same certified tutors, and the same proven results from anywhere with reliable internet. Our data shows virtual students achieve equal or greater gains than in-person students. Do you serve all San Francisco neighborhoods? Yes — families from across San Francisco come to our Fillmore Street clinic. We also serve the broader Bay Area virtually, with the same curriculum and same certified tutors. How do I get started with reading tutoring in San Francisco? Start with a free 20-minute reading assessment. We’ll identify exactly where your child is and match them with the right tutor and program level. Is financial aid available for San Francisco families? Yes. LearnUp offers sliding scale financial aid so income is never a barrier to learning to read. Apply after your free reading assessment. Book a FREE Reading Assessment Our curriculum It’s a blend of nationally-recognized reading methods. LearnUp integrates the best practices of Orton-Gillingham based programs, speech therapy, structured phonics, and recommendations from the National Reading Panel.  We are not beholden to any one of these methodologies or approaches. Instead, we carefully select the best of the best to create a systematic program that accelerates reading acquisition. It incorporates the latest brain research. LearnUp also overlays the latest brain research into our curriculum. Research shows that stimulating the word form area of the reading brain is critical to creating fluency. While this is helpful to all emerging readers, it’s especially critical for dyslexics. Our program incorporates systematic phonics, directed reading, spelling, and repeated readings which lead to brain stimulation and reading fluency. 20+ year track record of success. Created by Steve Tattum, LearnUp’s reading director, the curriculum and chapter books have been used for over 20 years by teachers, tutors, and entire school districts with remarkable outcomes. See More Outcomes Our Approach Meet students where they are. We offer multiple entry points called  ‘reading starts’ to accommodate a student’s knowledge and background. We work with them from what they already know and understand. This approach quickly puts them into the right level and on a pathway to reading success. Lead with reading. Many other reading programs don’t actually read. We dedicate ½ of each session to reading proprietary age- and skill-level appropriate books written by Steve Tattum our reading director. By reading chapter books students also work on the fundamentals of comprehension (summary, inference, prediction, etc.) Daily reading allows the student’s vocabulary, syntax, and meaning to enhance student’s word attack, and reduce reversals and inverses. Daily written responses ensure that spelling and writing are applied through their reading. This approach leads to significant reading gains in less time. Engage with accessible aligned decodable books. From day one, our students are reading from a chapter book written at a skill level they can actually read—building confidence and excitement for reading. Our proprietary, phonetically-aligned reading series for elementary, middle and high-school are deliberately written to reinforce the program concepts taught during the student’s tutoring session. Make it fun, fast, and experiential. Hands-on learning is key to engaging reluctant and unsuccessful learners. We use a tactile, multi-sensory magnetic board to actively teach phonics. Our lessons are short (55 minutes) and fast-paced. We live by the motto “go as fast as we can, as slow as we must” to urge students to push their reading abilities further.  See a daily lesson. Ready to Get Started? If your child is struggling to read — whether in first grade or high school, with or without a diagnosis — LearnUp’s structured literacy program can help. We serve students ages 6 through adult, in person at our San Francisco clinic and virtually, nationwide. Book a Free Reading Assessment We use Structured Literacy, the gold standard for dyslexia. Read our parent guide to Structured Literacy to see how it works. LearnUp provides FREE reading assessments. It’s the fastest way to find out if your child needs help. Sign Up Now LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Digital Phonics Board for Structured Literacy Programs | LearnUp Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF search LearnUp Digital Phonics Boards Make learning interactive and fun. Go to the Board Monthly Subscription Standard Digital Phonics Board $5/month This product includes the basic foundational board for the full program and the Start 1/Bootcamp board layouts. If you are using LearnUp’s structured literacy program, this board corresponds to all of your digital phonics board needs. Essential Phonics Digital Phonics Board $2/month This board layout is designed specifically for the LearnUp Essential Phonics for the Classroom Volunteer program and does not include all the features of the Standard Digital Board. Course Enrollment Access Digital Phonics Boards Accessible by Code Participants who enroll in the our online training programs for Structured Literacy or Essential Phonics for the Classroom Volunteer course receive three months of complimentary access to the corresponding digital phonics board. Access is provided by code upon enrollment in the course. To learn more about the Structured Literacy course, visit our Structured Literacy Training page. To learn more about the Essential Phonics for the Classroom Volunteer training, visit our Essential Phonics page. Start Your Subscription! How to Purchase Go to the Board: Visit the Digital Phonics Board login page. Create an Account: Sign up using Google Authentication or your email address. Verify Your Email: Check your inbox (and Spam folder) for a verification link. You must verify your email before you can sign in. Sign In: Return to the Digital Phonics Board landing page and log in. Choose Your Plan: You will be directed to a subscription page with monthly and annual options. Secure Checkout: After selecting your plan, you will be redirected to Stripe for a secure checkout. Start Learning: Once your purchase is complete, log back in to access and use your board. LearnUp is a nonprofit on a mission to reach and teach struggling readers in every community to read with confidence using our fast and proven structured literacy program. Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 47-2262474. Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 944-7323 Careers Privacy Terms LearnUp Blog twitter Twitter facebook Facebook youtube YouTube linkedin LinkedIn instagram Instagram phone Phone email Email © 2026 LearnUp Centers. twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram phone email Close Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp Digital Boards Frequently Asked Questions LearnUp Talks LearnUp Blog Recommended Books Decodable Books for K-12 LearnUp Decodable Books for Teens Contact Contact Us Our Tutors Careers Our Partners Board & Leadership Free Reading Assessment Support a Reader Donate Donate: DAF Parent Reference Form Send your message to . Your Name * Your Email * Phone Number (Optional - for a 5-minute intake call Child's Current Grade * K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Middle School High School Adult What is your primary concern? (e.g., Dyslexia, Reading Level, Confidence, etc.) * Get My Free Assessment If you are human, leave this field blank. Sign up now for a FREE reading assessment.   CLICK HERE Our Structured Literacy Curriculum | LearnUp Centers Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Search Close Search search Menu Programs Program Overview What is Structured Literacy? Reading Tutoring in San Francisco Our Teaching Method Why LearnUp Works 1:1 Tutoring — Typical Lesson Details & Logistics Unlocking Reading Success for Teens Compensatory Education Compensatory Education Program Overview District Compensatory Education Process LearnUp Summer Intensives Pricing Pricing Details Financial Aid Spring Discount Trainings Structured Phonics Training – 50% Off Teaching Teens to Read Training Course Essential Phonics Our Impact What Learning to Read Sounds Like LearnUp Student Stories Testimonials Outcomes Have Praise for LearnUp? Resources LearnUp