Online Reading Tutoring for Grades 1-12
A Personalized Plan with 1:1 Tutoring
Reading Progress Starts With the Right Plan
Some students come to us because reading is hard, even though they don't have a dyslexia diagnosis. Others are reading on grade level, but could be stronger, more fluent, and more confident.
Kids Up Reading Tutors helps students:
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Catch up when reading is below grade level
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Stop guessing and start decoding words accurately and fluently
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Move beyond grade level with more advanced reading skills
As your child's online reading tutor, we start by understanding your child's reading and spelling needs, then create a personalized Structured Literacy Plan that includes phonological skills, phonics, fluency, spelling rules, morphology and comprehension to unlock your child's potential.
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"[She] is so much improved. She seems to be flying through Diary of a Pug, not getting tripped up on too many words, handling some tricky words well, understanding the story as she reads, and clearly enjoying it with her dramatic renditions."
Third Grade, AU Park, Washington, DC
Why Families Choose Kids Up Reading Tutors
Families choose Kids Up Reading Tutors for a clear Structured Literacy Plan and expert instruction.
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Personalized Structured Literacy Plan
Evaluation plus a targeted plan to build the right skills in the right order. -
Evidence-based instruction; no homework
Instruction based on the Science of Reading and Orton-Gillingham+ -
Clear progress and communication
Ongoing progress checks, plan adjustments and brief weekly updates -
Efficient path to independence
Most students work with their tutor 3-4 times/week and "graduate" in 4-9 months
“Thank you so much! I just want to let you know that Mara's really enjoying tutoring with you which is great because we have done other tutoring and she would cry and cry and cry because she hated it. I'm very happy she's enjoying learning with you!"
First Grade, Hawaii
How Does Kids Up Compare With Other Reading Tutoring Options?
Reading tutoring can mean very different things. The best option depends on whether your child needs help with homework, additional practice, or targeted instruction to close foundational reading and spelling gaps. The included table breaks down five common types of support, what each one is best suited for, and what to watch out for so you can find the right fit for your child.
For a more detailed comparison, see our blog post on the topic.
Type of Help | Best for | What to Consider |
|---|---|---|
General reading or homework tutor | Help with assignments, classwork and general practice | May not evaluate or remediate underlying decoding and spelling gaps |
Tutor marketplace | Families who want a wide choice of tutors, schedules and prices | Training, instructional approach and progress monitoring vary by tutor |
Reading app | Additional independent reading or phonics practice | Usually works best as a supplement rather than individualized intervention |
Fixed-sequence structured literacy program | Families who want a standardized, step-by-step curriculum | May spend time on skills a student has already mastered |
Kids Up personalized structured literacy tutoring | Families wanting an evaluation, targeted plan and frequent 1:1 instruction | Best suited to families who can commit to at least two sessions per week |
How Does Kids Up Compare With Other Reading Tutoring Options?
Reading tutoring can mean very different things. The best option depends on whether your child needs help with homework, additional practice, or targeted instruction to close foundational reading and spelling gaps. The included table breaks down five common types of support, what each one is best suited for, and what to watch out for so you can find the right fit for your child.
Type of Help | Best for | What to Consider |
|---|---|---|
General reading or homework tutor | Help with assignments, classwork and general practice | May not evaluate or remediate underlying decoding and spelling gaps |
Tutor marketplace | Families who want a wide choice of tutors, schedules and prices | Training, instructional approach and progress monitoring vary by tutor |
Reading app | Additional independent reading or phonics practice | Usually works best as a supplement rather than individualized intervention |
Fixed-sequence structured literacy program | Families who want a standardized, step-by-step curriculum | May spend time on skills a student has already mastered |
Kids Up personalized structured literacy tutoring | Families wanting an evaluation, targeted plan and frequent 1:1 instruction | Best suited to families who can commit to at least two sessions per week |
We Teach Decoding, Not Guessing or Memorizing
Strong readers don't guess or memorize words.
They understand that words are built from sounds - and they know how to use those sounds to read unfamiliar words with confidence.
Many students who struggle with reading rely on guessing or memorization. That can work for a while, but as texts become more complex, those strategies break down.
At Kids Up Reading Tutors, we teach students to decode - not memorize or guess.
Inside Your Child's Reading Plan
Every Kids Up Reading Tutors plan is different, but many readers need targeted work in:
1) Phonological awareness
Hearing, identifying and working with sounds in words - a critical foundation for fluent reading.
2) Phonics and decoding
Learning new sound-symbol patterns using a structured, Orton-Gillingham-based approach
3) Decodable Reading
Reading texts that match the phonics your child has learned, to encourage reading (not guessing) and build confidence.
4) Fluency
Building accuracy, pacing and confidence.
5) Spelling
Using the same patterns for reading and spelling, so skills reinforce each other.
This step-by-step approach strengthens foundations, closes gaps, and helps students become confident, capable readers.
"It's great to really see his growing confidence and less anxiety around his spelling! Thanks for all your ongoing, creative efforts to make spelling fun for him."
Sixth Grade, Chevy Chase, MD
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How Kids Up's Online Reading Intervention Works
We start with an initial evaluation, then create a personalized Structured Literacy Plan for your child.
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45- or 60-minute live, private online sessions
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Instruction customized to your student's needs
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Weekly updates for parents
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No homework
"I think Ella is doing great with Sophia. I am starting to see her reading more confidently with me and being able to sound out more words. Charlie just had his first session today, which he said he liked. From my perspective, I really appreciate how professional your team is, both in the 1:1s with the kids, and also their feedback to me. This is something that I have found missing with other tutors. The level of detail that is being provided to me is excellent and really helpful."
First Grade, Los Angeles, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
