Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to footer
Institute of Reading Development
Zip Code

43201

  • Home
  • Summer Programs
  • Spring Programs
  • Contact
  • Refer a Friend
  • Resources
    • Overview
    • Blog
    • Reviews
    • FAQs
  • About Us
    • Overview
    • Partnerships
    • Careers
    • Our Team
    • History
  • Student Login
  • Enroll Now
  • 800-470-2891
Summer Programs Now Enrolling

Virtual Agent

Company Logo in speech bubble

Summer Program for Entering 2nd Graders

Make 2nd Grade a Story of Success

Reading Will Give Your Child a Real Advantage

Ribbon doodle

Strengthen Key Skills Before 2nd Grade

Kids in our summer program get a jump start on new reading skills. They return to school ready to earn good grades and strong progress evaluations.

Open book doodle

Build Confidence for New Challenges

Our students experience success with reading, over and over again. They develop the confidence and motivation to excel when the school year begins.

Heart doodle

Discover All the Rewards of Reading

We give kids great experiences with terrific books that inspire a reading habit. Reading for pleasure keeps students learning and growing all year long.

Cycle E2
Smiling student wearing backpack

Only Institute of Reading Development programs combine outstanding books and top-notch instruction to create skilled and enthusiastic readers.

Get Ready for 2nd Grade in Our Summer Program

Our summer program provides a proven path for your child to improve key skills, increase confidence, and get really excited about books and reading. Click on the building blocks below to explore all the ways your child will benefit from this fun, effective program.

Strengthen Skills

Master 2nd Grade Decoding

Decoding words is the foundation for all other reading skills. We'll teach your child the phonics and word-attack skills he or she needs to read words quickly and easily—even long and challenging ones.

Become a Fluent Reader

Fluency is the ability to read at a smooth, natural pace, without stopping to sound out words. We'll help your child reach this important milestone, allowing him or her to focus more on the story itself.

Improve Comprehension

Strong reading comprehension is the key to academic success, and it makes reading fun and rewarding. In our program, your child will learn to visualize a story, identify with characters, and follow a plot.

Build Confidence

Reduce Frustration

Reading can be hard work. As your child masters new reading skills in this program, frustration, tears and resistance to reading will melt away.

Gain a Positive Attitude

In this program, your child will succeed with book after book. With strong reading skills, he or she will approach each new challenge thinking "I can do this!"

Boost Motivation

Great experiences with books are the best motivator for working on reading skills. Our expert teachers bring the wonderful books in our program to life and get kids excited about reading.

Become a Reader

Increase Stamina

In this program, children read lots of great books at the right level of difficulty. Your child will get plenty of practice and keep progressing even after the program is over.

Develop a Love of Reading

Discovering a love of books opens new worlds for children. Every book in our program will nurture your child's imagination, with engaging stories and funny characters.

Establish a Reading Habit

Regular reading has a big payoff for kids: stronger comprehension, a richer vocabulary, and greater success in school. This program will make reading an important part of your child's life, now and in the future.

Great Learning Experiences with Great Books

This 5-Week Summer Program Includes:

  • Dynamic online weekly classes your child will love
  • A dedicated and knowledgeable reading teacher
  • 5 terrific books at the right level of challenge*
  • Interactive skill lessons and activities between classes
  • Personal support with 1-1 appointments and an exclusive helpline

We Know How to Prevent Summer Learning Loss

Summer learning loss is the decline in skills that children commonly experience over summer break. As reading skills are fundamental to many areas of school, losing them over the summer can affect a student's overall academic experience and negatively impact confidence and motivation.

With outstanding books at the right level of challenge, plus the structure and support to practice key skills over the summer, our students don't just avoid summer learning loss — they make substantial reading gains.

SU 2nd graph Student reading a book

Decades of Excellence in Reading Instruction

The Institute of Reading Development offers programs in partnership with colleges and universities. Over the last 54 years, we’ve worked with more than 200 academic institutions to inspire over 3 million students to become skilled, enthusiastic readers.

In your area, we provide programs in partnership with: Case Western Reserve University, Siegal Lifelong Learning

Case Western Reserve University Logo

In your area, we provide programs in partnership with: Case Western Reserve University, Siegal Lifelong Learning

97% of Parents said that their child enjoyed attending the weekly classes.
"There's no struggle with reading anymore." - Lina, 2nd Grade Parent
Over 9 Out of 10 Parents noticed a boost in their child’s confidence with reading.
95% of Parents would recommend the program to a friend.

Give Your Child the Reading Advantage

Summer Program for Entering
2nd Graders

Only $259

Plus $39 Materials & Shipping

2nd Grade Child
2nd Grade Child

Make Next School Year a Big Success!

View Schedules Enroll Now

Class sizes are limited!

Questions? We’re an Open Book.


Summer Reading Program FAQs

Weekly online classes last for 75 minutes and include guided reading and skill development with the support of an expert teacher, plus fun group discussions and activities. Between classes, students keep making individual progress as they complete reading assignments and interactive skill lessons. Your son or daughter will get almost daily reinforcement of the exact skills for success at school in the fall.

Our average class size is 12 students. To foster engaging class activities and discussions while ensuring personal attention for every student, we limit enrollment to a maximum of 16 students per class.

Our online classes take place via Zoom. You will need reliable internet access and a computer, tablet, or other Zoom-compatible device to participate.

Yes! If you need to miss a class, we offer complimentary online make-up classes that feature the same curriculum and learning experiences. Your child won’t miss a beat in the program.

The Institute of Reading Development is a reading education provider that offers programs in partnership with colleges and universities. Over the last 54 years, we've worked with more than 200 academic institutions to inspire over 3 million students to become skilled, enthusiastic readers.

Our teachers are experts in the skills students need to succeed in every stage of reading development. They know how to bring books to life and provide engaging reading experiences that kids want to have over and over again.

Thanks to our 50+ years of experience hiring and training only the best instructors, we are confident that your child’s teacher will be dynamic, warm, and passionate about books and reading. Your child will love the teacher - and so will you!

Parents play a supporting role by ensuring their child completes independent practice during the week. We handle the rest, making it hassle-free for you.

We already know you believe it's important for your child to become a reader. Enrolling in our program will let your child know it, too.

Students learn essential reading skills for success in 2nd grade, including decoding skills, comprehension, and fluency. Our program combines weekly online classes led by expert teachers with structured interactive lessons and guided activities between classes. We offer two Summer sessions, each with its own curriculum, unique skill lessons, and age-appropriate books.

Early Summer Titles

  • Betsy and Max Around Town by Jacob Grimm
  • Fox on the Job by James Marshall
  • The Best Pests by Jennifer Tallagnon
  • Mouse Soup by Arnold Lobel
  • Ruby Clues and the Case of the Stolen Sidewalk by Jennifer Tallagnon

Late Summer Titles

  • A Day of Wishes by Jacob Grimm
  • The Adventures of Snail at School by John Stadler
  • Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel
  • Zack's Alligator by Shirley Mozelle
  • Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel

By investing in core skill development now, you'll ensure that your child has a productive and enjoyable time in 2nd grade. Best of all, they will be well on the way to becoming a reader, which is the key to future academic success.

Summer learning loss is the decline in skills that children commonly experience over summer break. As reading skills are fundamental to many areas of school, losing them over the summer can affect a student's overall academic experience and negatively impact confidence and motivation. With outstanding books at the right level of challenge, plus the structure and support to practice key skills over the summer, our students don't just avoid summer learning loss—they make substantial reading gains.

Our students discover that the rewards of being a reader go well beyond school. Reading expands children's horizons and gives them access to an endless source of inspiration and wisdom. As they imagine new possibilities, their dreams take flight. And best of all, reading empowers them to make these dreams come true.

Decoding words is the foundation for all other reading skills. We'll teach your child the phonics and word-attack skills he or she needs to read words quickly and easily—even long and challenging ones.

Yes. In our program, your child will learn to visualize a story, identify with characters, and follow a plot. Strong reading comprehension is the key to academic success, and it makes reading fun and rewarding.

Yes. Fluency is the ability to read at a smooth, natural pace, without stopping to sound out words. We'll help your child reach this important milestone, allowing him or her to focus more on the story itself.

Absolutely, reading can be hard work. As your child masters core skills in this program, frustration, tears, and resistance to reading will melt away.

Great experiences with books are the best motivator for working on reading skills. Our expert teachers bring the wonderful books in our program to life and get kids excited about reading.

Yes. In this program, children read lots of great books at the right level of difficulty. Your child will get plenty of practice and keep progressing even after the program is over.

Discovering a love of books opens new worlds for children. Every book in our program will nurture your child's imagination, with engaging stories and funny characters.

Yes, regular reading has a big payoff for kids: stronger comprehension, a richer vocabulary, and greater success in school. This program will make reading an important part of your child's life, now and in the future.