Hamilton Elementary School

Moline, Illinois

2025 Read Live School of the Year Runner-up

Submitted by Megan Peterson, Reading Specialist

Robinson School receives a $500 Read Naturally Gift Certificate.

In the past, Hamilton Elementary School used Read Live to support students in intervention develop their fluency and comprehension skills. The results were so positive that this year, they decided to implement the program across the entire third-grade level—ensuring that every student, regardless of reading ability, has access to the structured literacy support that Read Live provides.

Hamilton Elementary School is dedicated to helping every third-grade student make the critical transition from learning to read, to reading to learn—and they’re finding great success. Since adopting Read Live, educators have observed students growing not only in their reading skills but also in their confidence and attitudes toward reading. Instructional coach Megan Peterson shares, “Many students who previously lacked confidence in their reading abilities now approach their reading tasks with enthusiasm.”

Peterson explains that students using Read Live are truly experiencing the joy of reading to learn: “The concepts and topics that they’re able to learn about are exciting to them. They’re learning about a lot of different nonfiction people, places, and things.”

Hamilton Elementary School is successfully leveraging innovative, research-based literacy strategies to drive measurable improvements and help every student thrive. They are a model of excellence in literacy instruction and a very deserving awardee of the Read Live School of the Year scholarship.

Check out their full nomination below including their video submission and their story.

Hamilton Elementary deserves to be recognized as the School of the Year for its outstanding commitment to improving literacy through the Read Live program. Our school has taken a strategic, research-based approach to enhancing reading fluency, focusing specifically on third-grade students, a crucial year for literacy development. After seeing significant reading growth among our intervention students using Read Live, we made the decision to expand the program to all third graders, ensuring that every student benefits from this proven literacy tool. As a result, we have seen remarkable improvements in reading fluency, engagement, and confidence across the grade level.

Third grade is a critical turning point in reading development, as students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Struggling readers at this stage often face academic challenges in later years, making it essential to provide early, targeted intervention. Initially, we introduced Read Live as a support tool for our intervention students—those who needed the most help in developing fluency and comprehension. The results were extraordinary. Students in the intervention group showed high reading growth, demonstrating increased words per minute (WPM), improved comprehension, and greater confidence in their reading abilities.

Seeing these impressive gains, we recognized the potential of Read Live to benefit all students, not just those receiving interventions. We made the bold decision to implement the program across the entire third-grade level, ensuring that every student, regardless of reading ability, had access to this effective tool. This expansion allowed us to provide consistent, structured literacy support to every third grader, reinforcing key reading skills and fostering a love for reading.

Since adopting Read Live for all third-grade students, we have observed substantial improvements in reading fluency. Virtually every student using the program has increased their words per minute, demonstrating greater ease and accuracy in reading. Additionally, students are typing more frequently, an important skill that complements their reading progress and prepares them for digital literacy tasks. These improvements are not just seen in struggling readers, but across the board, reinforcing that Read Live is a valuable tool for all learners.

Beyond the data, the Read Live program has transformed student engagement with reading. Many students who previously lacked confidence in their reading abilities now approach their reading tasks with enthusiasm. Their participation in classroom discussions has increased, and they demonstrate a greater willingness to tackle challenging texts. This shift in attitude is just as important as their measurable progress—it shows that students are developing a genuine love for reading, a skill that will serve them well throughout their education.

Hamilton Elementary’s dedication to literacy goes beyond simply implementing a program. We have built an environment where reading fluency is a priority, progress is celebrated, and every child is given the tools they need to succeed. Our decision to expand Read Live to all third graders reflects our commitment to providing the best possible education for every student.

By selecting Hamilton Elementary as School of the Year, you would be recognizing a school that has successfully leveraged innovative literacy strategies to drive real, measurable improvements in reading fluency. Our school is proof that with the right tools and commitment, every student can thrive as a reader.