Free Summer Reading Program-Summer 2026

The Orton-Gillingham Institute is proud to once again offer our free Summer Reading Program to families across the country. This is more than just summer tutoring — it's a structured reading intervention designed to keep your child growing all summer long, taught by qualified instructors based in the United States.

Limited spots are available. Read the full details below before applying.

• Students ages 6 through 12
• Students entering or completing Kindergarten through 5th grade
• Students who are behind in reading, struggle with reading, or simply need extra support over the summer
• Families anywhere in the United States — the program is 100% virtual

Length: 4 weeks 

Schedule: 2 days per week, 1 hour per session (2 hours total per week) 

Format: Small group virtual instruction (not 1-on-1) 

Instructional Method: All lessons are Orton-Gillingham (OG) based 

Cost: Completely free 

Time Zone: All sessions are hosted in Eastern Time (EST/EDT)

Please plan to attend sessions according to Eastern Time, regardless of where you live. Session days and times within each cohort will be communicated upon acceptance into the program.

Every session is built on the Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach — a structured, multisensory, evidence-based method for teaching reading. Topics are sequenced and tailored to your child's grade band, but across the program your child will be working in the following areas:

1. Phonemic Awareness — Hearing, identifying, and working with individual sounds in spoken words
2. Phonics — Connecting letters and letter combinations to the sounds they make
3. Decoding — Sounding out and reading unfamiliar words with confidence
4. Encoding (Spelling) — Using sound-to-letter knowledge to spell words accurately
5. Syllable Types and Syllable Division — Recognizing the six syllable types and breaking longer words into manageable parts
6. Morphology — Understanding prefixes, suffixes, base words, and roots to unlock word meaning
7. High-Frequency Words and Sight Vocabulary — Building automatic recognition of the most common words in reading
8. Fluency — Reading with appropriate speed, accuracy, and expression
9. Vocabulary Development — Expanding word knowledge and understanding words in context
10. Reading Comprehension — Understanding, remembering, and discussing what's been read

The specific skills addressed within each topic will be based on your child's grade band and individual needs, as identified during the initial assessment.

We are offering two cohorts to give as many families as possible the chance to participate:

Cohort 1: July 2026 

Cohort 2: August 2026

Specific start and end dates for each cohort will be shared when application links are released. You will have the opportunity to indicate your cohort preference on the application.

Every student accepted into the program receives:

• Small group virtual reading instruction with a qualified, USA-based instructor using Orton-Gillingham (OG) based lessons
• A reading assessment to measure progress
• Weekly updates so you can see your child's growth
• A student practice packet, which can be completed virtually for credit and progress, or printed at home, with weekly work related to topics covered in lessons
• An exit plan with recommendations for improvement and growth
• A student certificate of completion to acknowledge growth
• A free Summer Enrichment Reading Workbook for your child's grade band

Please try to make every session. Consistent attendance is essential to your child's progress, and our small group format means that one missing student affects the entire group. Missed sessions may result in removal from the program so that another family on the waiting list can be given the opportunity.

If you know in advance of a conflict, please reach out to us as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly.

To keep this opportunity fair for as many families as possible, please submit only one application per family. Do not submit more than one application. Duplicate applications may result in your family's application being withdrawn from consideration. If you have more than one child you'd like to enroll, the application form will allow you to add additional children under a single family application.

To ensure fairness for every family who is interested, we use a two-step process:

Step 1: Complete the Sign-Up Form

Fill out our short interest form to be added to the official applicant pool. This form is open now. By completing it, you are letting us know that your family wants to be considered for the program.

Step 2: Receive the Application Link

On a date that will be announced to everyone at the same time, every family who completed the sign-up form will receive the actual application link by email. This is the link that places your child into the lottery for one of our limited spots.

We release the application link to everyone simultaneously so that no family has an unfair advantage — early sign-up does not improve your child's chances. Whether you submit your form today or next week, your child has the exact same opportunity.

Spots are limited and will be assigned by random selection. You will be notified within 48 hours after the application window closes.

If your child is not selected for one of the two summer cohorts, they will automatically be placed on our waiting list. If a spot opens up due to a cancellation, withdrawal, or removal for missed sessions, families on the waiting list will be contacted in the order they appear.

Being placed on the waiting list does not require any additional action from you — we will reach out directly if a spot becomes available.

Because the program is fully virtual, your child will need access to the following in order to participate:

• A reliable internet connection (high-speed broadband recommended)
• A laptop, desktop computer, Chromebook, or tablet (smartphones are not recommended for instruction)
• A working camera and microphone (built-in or external)
• Headphones or earbuds (strongly recommended to reduce background noise and help your child focus)
• A quiet, well-lit space where your child can sit and focus during sessions
• An updated web browser such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge
• The Zoom application installed (free to download)
• A printer (optional, only needed if you wish to print the student practice packet rather than complete it virtually)
• A parent or guardian available to help your child log in, especially for younger students

We recommend testing your child's setup before the first session. Detailed instructions and a tech check link will be shared with accepted families before the program begins.

All sessions are taught by qualified reading instructors based in the United States. Our instructors are trained in structured literacy approaches, including the Orton-Gillingham method — an evidence-based, multisensory approach widely recognized as one of the most effective ways to teach reading, especially for students who struggle.

You will never be matched with an offshore tutor, an AI tool, or an untrained volunteer. Every session is taught live by a real, qualified instructor.

The Orton-Gillingham Institute is an independent organization. We are not affiliated with your child's school, school district, parent-teacher association, or any government education agency. While we partner with schools and districts to share information about our programs with families, our free Summer Reading Program is offered directly by The Orton-Gillingham Institute.

This means all questions, concerns, and communication about this program should come directly to us — not to your child's school, teacher, principal, or district office. Your child's school cannot answer questions about applications, scheduling, instructors, or program details. Please reach out to our team directly so we can help you quickly and accurately.

You can reach us at support@ortongillinghaminstitute.com or 917-563-2022.

Click below to complete the sign-up form. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email along with your free Summer Enrichment Reading Workbook. You will be notified by email when the application link is released — at the same time as every other family.

https://form.jotform.com/241114406097046

1. How much does the program cost?The program is completely free. There is no cost to apply, no cost to participate, and no hidden fees. You are not required to purchase anything.

2. My child is older than 12 or in a higher grade. Can they still participate?

Unfortunately, no. The free Summer Reading Program is open only to students ages 6 through 12 and entering or completing Kindergarten through 5th grade. For older students, please contact us about our other tutoring options.

3. Can I submit more than one application if I have multiple children?

No. Please submit only one application per family. The application form will allow you to include all of your children under a single family application. Submitting multiple applications may disqualify your family from consideration.

4. Does signing up early give my child a better chance of being selected?

No. To keep the process fair, the application link is released to every family at the exact same time. Whether you submit the initial sign-up form today or closer to the deadline, your child has the same opportunity to be selected.

5. What if I live outside the Eastern Time Zone?

All sessions are hosted in Eastern Time (EST/EDT). Families from any U.S. time zone are welcome to apply, but you will need to plan your child's attendance around Eastern Time. Specific session times for each cohort will be shared when application links are released.

6. What happens if my child misses a session?

We strongly encourage families to attend every session. Because the program is small group and progress builds week to week, missed sessions can affect both your child and the group. Repeated missed sessions may result in removal from the program so that a family on the waiting list can take the spot. If you know in advance about a conflict, please contact us as soon as possible.

7. Will my child receive homework?

Each student receives a practice packet aligned with the lessons being taught. The packet can be completed virtually for credit and progress tracking, or printed at home if you prefer paper. The practice packet is not graded homework — it's an opportunity for your child to reinforce what they're learning and for our instructors to track growth.

8. How will I know how my child is doing?

You'll receive weekly updates from us showing your child's growth and the skills they're working on. At the end of the program, every student receives a personalized exit plan with recommendations for continued improvement and growth, plus a certificate of completion to acknowledge their progress.

9. What if my child isn't selected for either cohort?

If your child isn't selected, they'll automatically be placed on our waiting list. If a spot opens up due to a cancellation, withdrawal, or removal, we'll contact waiting list families in the order they appear. You don't need to do anything to stay on the waiting list — we'll reach out directly.

10. Do I need to buy any books, software, or supplies?

No. Everything your child needs is provided free of charge, including the practice packet and the Summer Enrichment Reading Workbook. The only things you'll need are the technical requirements listed above (a device, internet, camera, microphone, and Zoom) and a quiet space for your child to participate.

Please contact The Orton-Gillingham Institute directly — not your child's school — so we can answer your questions quickly and accurately.

Email us at support@ortongillinghaminstitute.com or call 917-563-2022.