South Bronx Literacy Academy

South Bronx Literacy Academy (SBLA) is the first public school in NYC specifically designed for children with dyslexia and other difficulties in reading, writing, spelling, and sometimes speaking. All students receive literacy support as a core part of their education. It serves students who are about 2 to 3 years behind in reading skills, regardless of whether they have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Incoming students may also have related challenges, such as ADHD, anxiety, or other conditions that affect their ability to read.

Classes are small, with just 18 kids and two teachers. Each grade has a speech-language pathologist, and an occupational therapist works with two grades. A full-time guidance counselor also supports families. 

Each day, students have 90 minutes of reading and writing, 30 minutes more than most schools. Teachers use Preventing Academic Failure (PAF), a step-by-step approach to reading and spelling that combines sight, sound, and movement. For example, kids might trace letters in the air or tap their fingers for each sound in a word, like “c-a-t,” to connect sounds with motion. 

Teachers also use Writer’s Revolution, where students learn to write sentences before moving on to paragraphs. They progress in small steps, unlike many programs that jump straight into longer writing tasks.

New teachers receive a week of training in this method, then five weeks of hands-on practice with students. They work daily alongside expert teachers from the Windward School, a leader in teaching children with language-based learning differences.

The school was founded in partnership with The Literacy Academy Collective (LAC). The group was founded by seven New York City moms whose children, all with reading challenges, struggled in public schools. After fighting for better education for their own kids, these mothers created a non-profit to support NYC schools in providing proven reading instruction, especially in underserved communities. In 2022, they helped open a model classroom at PS 161 in the South Bronx. Today, they support the South Bronx Literacy Academy by offering resources, teacher training, and a full-time on-site coach.

Families typically discover South Bronx Literacy Academy through referrals from teachers, speech therapists, or attorneys who help secure private school placements. Others learn about the academy through community organizations, word-of-mouth, or nearby schools. 

Founded in 2023, SBLA will grow to serve grades 2 to 8 by 2028. 

Admissions: By lottery with Bronx priority. The first entry point is 2nd grade but students can also join in older grades. Families must fill out an application, which is available on MySchools. SBLA’s application is typically open from about March to May. Sign up for the Literacy Academy newsletter here. (Lydie Raschka, web articles and interview, November 2024)