Why Minerva Educational Services Works

At Minerva Educational Services (MES), we don’t just tutor—we equip young readers with the skills they need to thrive. Our approach is built on the Science of Reading, Structured Literacy, and high-dosage, short tutoring sessions designed specifically for K-2 learners.

We know that every child is different, and we take a personalized, research-backed approach to literacy instruction so they can build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of reading.

📚 Here’s why our approach works:

📌 1️⃣ The Science of Reading: Teaching Kids How to Read the Right Way

Many children struggle with reading because they were never taught how written language actually works. The Science of Reading (SoR) is a body of research that shows exactly what skills students need to become strong readers.

At MES, we focus on all the key areas of reading development to set students up for long-term success:

📈 Phonemic Awareness – Playing with and manipulating sounds in words
📈 Phonics & Decoding – Connecting letters to sounds and reading unfamiliar words
📈 Fluency – Reading smoothly and accurately with automaticity
📈 Vocabulary & Language Comprehension – Understanding what words mean and how they fit into a story

📢 Why This Matters:
Many reading programs skip critical steps or encourage memorization instead of decoding. We use a structured, evidence-based approach that builds real reading skills—so kids don’t have to guess!

📌 2️⃣ Structured Literacy: Systematic & Explicit Reading Instruction

At MES, we believe in Structured Literacy—a research-backed approach that teaches reading in a clear, systematic, and engaging way.

Structured Literacy instruction is:

🔹 Explicit – No guessing! We directly teach letter-sound relationships, decoding, and spelling.
🔹 Systematic & Sequential – Lessons build logically, so kids master one skill before moving to the next.
🔹 Multisensory – Students learn through seeing, hearing, and movement to reinforce learning.
🔹 Diagnostic & Personalized – Instruction is tailored based on each child’s progress.

📚 How We Use Structured Literacy at MES

We primarily use Orton-Gillingham (O-G) principles, which are highly effective for students who need extra support with phonics, decoding, and fluency. However, we also integrate other research-backed Structured Literacy strategies to meet the needs of each student, including:

🔹 Phonemic Awareness Games & Drills
🔹 Systematic Phonics Lessons
🔹 Morphology & Word Study for Advanced Readers

📢 Why This Matters:
Unlike traditional reading instruction that relies on memorization or guessing strategies, Structured Literacy teaches kids how to truly decode words—leading to stronger, more confident readers.

📌 3️⃣ Research-Backed Literacy Assessments (CUBED-3)

Before we begin tutoring, every student receives a comprehensive literacy screening using the CUBED-3 assessment, a highly researched, Science of Reading-aligned tool that gives us a clear picture of your child’s reading skills.

📊 What We Assess

🔹 Phonemic Awareness – Can they hear and manipulate sounds in words?
🔹 Decoding & Fluency – Can they sound out unfamiliar words with ease?
🔹 Listening & Reading Comprehension – Do they understand what they hear and read?
🔹 Vocabulary & Language Development – Can they infer word meanings in context?

📢 Why This Matters:
Many school-based reading assessments only focus on fluency—but fluency alone doesn’t tell us why a child may be struggling. The CUBED-3 screening helps us pinpoint the exact areas that need support, so we can tailor instruction to each student’s needs.

👉 Learn More About Our Literacy Screening Service

📌 4️⃣ High-Dosage, Short Tutoring Sessions for Maximum Impact

Research shows that young students learn best in short, focused sessions with consistent reinforcement. That’s why MES follows a high-dosage tutoring model to accelerate reading growth.

📈 2-4 sessions per week to reinforce skills consistently
📈 20-30 minute sessions to maintain engagement and maximize retention
📈 Individualized instruction tailored to each child’s unique needs

📢 Why This Matters:
A once-a-week tutoring session may not be enough for struggling readers. More frequent, short sessions help young learners build skills faster while keeping them engaged and motivated.

🔍 Why Families Trust Minerva Educational Services

👉 Science-Backed Reading Instruction – Aligned with the Science of Reading & Structured Literacy.
👉 Personalized Support – Every lesson is tailored to your child’s needs.
👉 High-Dosage, Short Sessions for Fast Progress – Designed for K-2 learners.
👉 Comprehensive Literacy Screening (CUBED-3) – We identify the root cause of reading struggles.
👉 A Supportive, Encouraging Learning Environment – Kids feel confident and successful!

🚀 Ready to help your child become a confident reader?
👉 Schedule a Free Consultation Today!