AT IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS THE ROAD TO COLLEGE BEGINS IN KINDERGARTEN. A STRONG FOUNDATION IN READING, WRITING, AND MATH SETS THE STAGE FOR SUCCESS IN ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, AND COLLEGE. Devany Farias started the second grade at IDEA Monterrey Park Academy reading on a kindergarten level - two grade levels behind - a rough start for any child entering a new grade and a new school. “I was sad because I didn’t read very much until I came to this school,” said Devany. Devany received extra reading time with her teacher, at home with her family, and during designated class time at her school’s Accelerated Reading Zone. She quickly mastered the AR quizzes, jumping from a kindergarten to third grade reading level in just one year. Now, Devany is blossoming. Her newfound ability to read on grade-level with her thirdgrade classmates has inspired her to be a teacher, just like the teacher who taught her to read, Ms. Hely Forrester. Every IDEA school and every IDEA teacher does Whatever It Takes to help our students face obstacles head on and stay on the path to college. Ms. Forrester helped Devany prove what’s possible, and that is how IDEA Public Schools makes college a reality for all children. “I was at the little level, and I moved up and up. It was because of my teacher. She is nice, and she spends extra time working with me.” “Being a part of Devany’s transformation has been an incredibly fulfilling experience,” said Ms. Forrester. “When I see Devany, I am reminded of what is possible for all of our scholars at IDEA.” Now, Devany has some advice for other students who might be struggling with their reading: “Read when you’re at your house. Read for 30-minutes so you can get better. You can be like me, too.” Devany knows that reading isn’t just important now. She understands that it is just one of many skills she’ll need to be successful after she leaves IDEA Public Schools. “Read hard so you can get to college,” said Devany. Today, if you ask eight-year-old Devany what her favorite subject is, you get this enthusiastic response: “Reading! I love reading. The books I read are funny and make me laugh.”
INSPIRED BY DEVANY’S STORY? Develop a love of reading and aspire to be an IDEA Millionaire this year!
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very year IDEA Public Schools hosts Millionaire Brunch celebrations in Austin, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley to recognize students who read a minimum of 1 million to 3 million words and demonstrate comprehension (a minimum score of 85%) on their Accelerated Reader quizzes. In the 2014-15 school year, more than 680 IDEA students joined the Millionaire’s Club. We’ll roll out the red carpet for our 2015-16 Millionaire students later this year. An accomplishment this big deserves nothing but the best.
WHAT DOES A MILLION WORDS LOOK LIKE? READING THIS LIST OF CLASSICS Fahrenheit 451 Lord of the Flies The Scarlett Letter To Kill A Mockingbird Uncle Tom’s Cabin Grapes of Wrath Moby Dick Catch 22 Sense and Sensibility
READING 50
GOOSEBUMPS CHAPTER BOOKS
READING 1000
BERENSTAIN BEARS BOOKS IMPACT 2015
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