FREE READING INTERVENTION
A free 4-week virtual reading intervention for students ages 6–12 (Grades K–5)
Sign Up NowFree 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.
Who This Program Is For
- 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
Program Details
What We'll Cover
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:
Phonemic Awareness
Hearing, identifying, and working with individual sounds in spoken words
Phonics
Connecting letters and letter combinations to the sounds they make
Decoding
Sounding out and reading unfamiliar words with confidence
Encoding (Spelling)
Using sound-to-letter knowledge to spell words accurately
Syllable Types and Syllable Division
Recognizing the six syllable types and breaking longer words into manageable parts
Morphology
Understanding prefixes, suffixes, base words, and roots to unlock word meaning
High-Frequency Words and Sight Vocabulary
Building automatic recognition of the most common words in reading
Fluency
Reading with appropriate speed, accuracy, and expression
Vocabulary Development
Expanding word knowledge and understanding words in context
Reading Comprehension
Understanding, remembering, and discussing what's been read
Upcoming Instructional Cohorts
We are offering two cohorts to give as many families as possible the chance to participate:
Cohort 1
October 2026
Cohort 2
November 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.
What's Included — At No Cost
- 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
Attendance Expectations
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.
One Application Per Family
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.
The Application Process — How Fairness Works
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 — The Waiting List
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.
Technical Requirements
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.
About Our Instructors
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.
Important: We Are Not Affiliated With Your Child's School or School District
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.
Ready to Sign Up?
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.
Complete the Sign-Up FormFrequently Asked Questions
Questions Not Answered Here? 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.