VERO BEACH — Indian River County has posted historic gains in third-grade reading, with 75% of students demonstrating proficiency on state assessments — surpassing the statewide average — while four schools exceeded the ambitious Moonshot Goal of 90% proficiency.
The results mark a significant milestone for the district, which has pursued a community-wide effort to ensure nearly all students read on grade level by the end of third grade. Officials credit a strengthened partnership between the School District of Indian River County and The Learning Alliance, a local nonprofit, that has replaced isolated efforts with a comprehensive support system.
That collaboration has included funding for more than 27 specialized literacy positions. It also encompasses the Moonshot Academy, which offers after-school and summer programs delivering evidence-based literacy instruction. Those initiatives strive to close achievement gaps and accelerate students’ progress toward proficiency.
“Data points are important, but the real story is the change in the classroom,” Barbara Hammond, CEO and co-founder of The Learning Alliance, said in a statement. “When we invest in our teachers and our families, our students thrive. We are proud to be part of this community effort.”
The four elementary schools that reached or surpassed the 90% Moonshot Goal are Beachland Elementary, Liberty Magnet, Osceola Magnet and Rosewood Magnet.
The gains build on prior progress in which the district has climbed in statewide rankings and earned repeated “A” grades. The Moonshot Goal, launched more than a decade ago by local advocates including Hammond, set the 90% proficiency target and has driven sustained investments in teacher training, family engagement and targeted interventions.
Local educators plan to build on the momentum by continuing the expansion of the Moonshot Academy and adding additional literacy supports in the coming school year.
