How to Get Started with The Reading Foundation
Enrolling your child at The Reading Foundation is the first step toward helping them build strong, lifelong skills in reading, comprehension, writing, or math. Whether your child is struggling in school or needs an academic boost, our personalized programs are designed to meet their individual needs.
We offer one-to-one, evidence-based instruction in reading, spelling, comprehension, writing, and math across our clinics in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, and Los Angeles as well as virtually.
Our enrollment Process
In-Depth Learning Assessment
The First Step Toward Personalized Learning Success
Before starting any program at The Reading Foundation, every student must complete an In-Depth Learning Assessment. This comprehensive academic evaluation clearly explains your child’s strengths, challenges, and specific learning needs so that we can create a truly personalized program.
What the Assessment Does
- Provides a complete picture of your child’s current academic skill level
- Identifies areas of difficulty in reading, comprehension, writing, and math
- Helps us choose the program that best fits your child’s unique needs
- Estimates how much instructional time may be required to “close the gap”
- Establishes a baseline to measure your child’s future growth and progress
What's Included
- Oral Vocabulary Testing: To assess your child’s learning potential
- Phonological Awareness Screening: To evaluate early reading readiness
- Reading & Listening Comprehension Tests: To determine understanding of text and spoken language
- Optional Testing in Math and Writing: If there are concerns in these areas
Key Details
- The assessment takes approximately 90 minutes, depending on the student’s age and needs
- Available in-person at our clinics or virtually
- After testing, we schedule a follow-up meeting with you to review the results
- You’ll receive a written report with clear findings and personalized program recommendations
Why It Matters
This step is critical. It ensures that your child gets the proper support, at the right level, from day one. Our goal is to build a customized learning plan that sets your child up for lasting success.
Scheduling
In-Person: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Virtual: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM; 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
In-Person: 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Virtual: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM; 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
In-Person: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Virtual: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
We recommend booking well in advance for Friday afternoons, school holidays (including summer break), school professional development days and Saturdays.
FAQs
Questions about The Reading Foundation’s unique programs and approach? We have answers!
Our intensive programs are of benefit to students of all ages and abilities. Every day we help students from as young as four through to adult reach their learning potential.
We offer research-based and internally designed remedial programs which address reading, spelling, math, comprehension, oral language and writing difficulties. In response to community demands, we also offer early learning reading and math programs to preschoolers, enrichment programs for returning students or students looking for an extra boost, as well as programs for English Language Learners.
Yes. Our In-Depth Learning Assessment provides a complete picture of a student’s academic needs. Our battery of standardized and informal tests allows us to select and customize programs to best meet the needs of each individual student. The assessment also serves as a baseline from which to gauge future growth. Results and recommendations are presented in a meeting following the assessment.
You will still need to book an In-Depth Learning Assessment which includes both standardized and informal tests not included in a Psycho-Educational Assessment. We welcome you to bring a copy of your Psycho-Educational Assessment along to your appointment as it does provide useful information.
We know that four hours a day, five days a week sounds like a lot but students quickly become accustomed to our immersive approach. Students work with a different clinician every hour (when possible) which keeps things interesting. Within each hour the activities are engaging and move quickly. The success of our programming is due, in large part, to its intensive nature. Students and parents alike see changes quickly.
Your child will be working one-to-one with our highly qualified and caring educators who have undergone extensive training and mentoring in The Reading Foundation’s clinical programs. Qualities of patience, flexibility, and compassion are valued and nurtured at all of our clinics.
Absolutely. The progress of each of our students is monitored closely by a team leader which helps to ensure hourly program continuity and an adaptive pace. Your child’s team leader will provide parents/guardians with an update following approximately every 20 hours of clinical work.
Our students receive an experience that is more educational therapy than tutoring thanks to our research-based, intentionally developed programs. Our dynamic and individualized approach guides students to reach their highest education potential.