Vanderbilt Charter Academy was recently named a top-five public elementary school in Michigan for third-grade reading. The recognition came from an analysis by The 74 Million, which identified schools that are beating the odds in helping students learn to read.
So how does Vanderbilt do it? It starts in kindergarten.
"Our No. 1 priority is making sure every student builds the foundational skills they need early," said Principal Jeff Groggel. Many students arrive without knowing their letters or sounds. Rather than viewing that as a setback, teachers see it as a starting point. "We focus on growth from day one."
Teachers track each student's progress in letter recognition, phonics, and fluency, adjusting instruction quickly so no one falls behind. By third grade, students have already learned how to read. That means classrooms can focus on reading to learn.
Vanderbilt's K-2 classrooms emphasize repetition, structure, and encouragement, helping students gain confidence alongside skill. Teachers also work closely with families to reinforce reading habits outside the classroom, creating consistency for students between school and home.
In third grade, instruction becomes even more targeted. Teachers analyze student data weekly and adjust lessons in real time. Reading specialists and small-group support give students extra help when they need it.
Programs like the Book Bag initiative keep the momentum going. Third graders take home a book every night, read independently and aloud with family, then return ready to discuss and pick a new one. The goal? One hundred books in a school year.
"Our students love being here," Groggel said. "They feel supported, and they're willing to take academic risks."
Vanderbilt's results reflect a broader commitment across National Heritage Academies® partner schools to close learning gaps early, and to make sure every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Congratulations, Vanderbilt Charter Academy!
About Vanderbilt Charter Academy
Vanderbilt Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Holland, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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