The after-school tutoring initiative called Moonshot Academy at Treasure Coast Elementary School is transforming the academic landscape for young readers.
The Moonshot Academy program, created to improve reading skills for K-3 students, has shown impressive results. Third-graders in the program improved their reading skills by 76% more than other students from Fall 2024 to Spring 2025, based on iReady test scores.
Moonshot Academy, operated by The Learning Alliance, targets struggling readers with small-group instruction and hands-on, experiential learning. The results are striking: 74% of enrolled students who were two or more years behind in reading at the start of the fall term reduced that gap to just 11% by spring.
The program’s tailored interventions and immersive curriculum, aligned with the School District of Indian River County’s standards, are credited for the turnaround.
Parents are effusive in their praise. Amy Pallini, whose child participates in the program, said, “We are very thankful for Moonshot and the teachers at Treasure Coast Elementary. They have made learning fun.”
Rachel Eaker echoed the sentiment, noting significant progress in her daughter Olivia’s learning patterns and the value of team-building exercises. “They’ve taught valuable lessons for continued growth,” Eaker said.
Teachers are equally impressed. Stacy Ramos, a Treasure Coast Elementary educator, highlighted the journey of a former Moonshot student now thriving in fourth grade.
“In second and third grade, he was performing below grade level and in an RTI group for reading,” Ramos explained. “Now, he’s excelling on grade level with his peers and no longer requires small-group intervention.”
The Moonshot Academy program operates across nine campuses in Indian River County, serving over 400 students with a focus on reading fluency and comprehension.
Loretta Counts, another parent, described the program as “highly rewarding.” She credited Moonshot with helping her child transition “from struggling to achieving his goals,” enhancing his overall academic success. “We are extremely pleased and grateful,” she added.
For more information about the program, visit thelearningalliance.org.
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