After a full day in the classroom, the last thing many students want is another assignment.
At Hope through Housing’s after-school programs, ReadTheory has students asking for more.
The online literacy program gives students reading passages and quizzes tailored to their individual reading levels, adjusting as they progress. Today, 191 students across nine Hope through Housing communities in California and Texas are enrolled in the program.
“We’ll tell them to do one, two quizzes, and they’ll be like, ‘Can we do four, five?’ ” said Jamiah Alexander, an after-school program assistant.
ReadTheory was introduced as an activity every two weeks, but students quickly began asking to use it more often. Now, they can log on whenever they want during the after-school program.
“The kids actually love it,” Jamiah said. “They’ll run in here and they’re like, ‘Can we get on a computer please? ‘”
For 12-year-olds Jada and Gionny, reading has come a long way in less than a year. Both began ReadTheory multiple grade levels below where they should have been and have steadily worked to close the gap.
Jada began using ReadTheory in September 2025. Today, she is reading at grade level.
Gionny was initially reluctant to participate, but after giving ReadTheory a try in January, he began watching his scores climb. Today, he is reading one year above his grade level.
“When I see my points go up, I get happy,” Gionny said. “It makes me feel smart.”
Jamiah has noticed growth that goes beyond their scores. She said their vocabulary has expanded and they have become more precise in how they communicate.
Jada, who said she didn’t like reading before participating in the program, now has simple advice for other students who feel the same way.
“At least try, you never know if you’ll like it until you try,” she said.
