Early Years Education

At Mt. Zion Christian Academy, we prioritize the development of a robust foundation in reading, recognizing it as a cornerstone of academic and lifelong success. Our comprehensive approach to early literacy integrates foundational skills such as alphabet recognition, phonics, phonemic awareness, word decoding, vocabulary expansion, and fluency. These elements are carefully woven into our instruction to foster not just mechanical reading ability but also a deep understanding and appreciation of written language. We also emphasize the importance of reading aloud, a practice that nurtures listening skills, enriches comprehension, and fosters a lifelong love of storytelling and learning.

To strengthen and enrich this foundation, our teachers incorporate a diverse array of instructional tools and methodologies tailored to the needs of our students. Each day, students engage in intentional and focused exercises that build their skills and confidence as readers. Furthermore, the majority of our K-2 educators and teaching assistants have undergone or are actively completing training in the Orton-Gillingham approach—a highly effective, multisensory strategy for literacy instruction. This specialized training equips our team to provide targeted support to all learners, including those who face challenges in reading, ensuring that every child receives the individualized attention and resources needed to excel and thrive academically.