At 8:15 a.m. every school morning, Waggoner Road Elementary’s third graders log into the Lexia EdTech literacy software program for 15 minutes of focused reading. Those 15 minutes – powered by donors like you – are changing the trajectory of an entire grade.
Just a year ago, Waggoner Road was lagging behind other Reynoldsburg elementaries in early literacy, with too few students reading on grade level. Teachers and Principal Stephanie Bland knew their students needed more engaging, self-paced tools to practice reading and writing, but the district didn’t have Lexia software licenses for every child.
Through United Way’s Success by Third Grade, and thanks to our donors, 111 additional Lexia subscriptions were purchased so every third grader at Waggoner Road could access high-quality literacy support at school and at home. Teachers received training, schedules shifted to guarantee daily Lexia time, and families were invited in to learn how to support their children’s progress.
The culture started to shift. Students earned simple incentives like stickers for meeting their Lexia goals and began to see and feel their own success. Parents monitored progress online, the Columbus Metropolitan Library added even more opportunities to read, and coaches worked alongside teachers to tailor instruction.
The results have been remarkable. By the end of the 2024–2025 school year, 63% of Waggoner Road third graders were meeting or exceeding Lexia usage goals, and Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) scores quickly improved. MAP scores jumped most dramatically for students who were scoring just below proficiency. Then in May 2025, Waggoner third graders took the Ohio English Language Arts assessment and proved that their hard work was paying off. The share of third graders scoring proficient or better jumped 12 points, from 42% to 54%, the largest gain among Reynoldsburg’s seven elementary schools and a standout improvement in Franklin County.
That progress helped Waggoner Road earn a four-star rating on the state report card for student growth and surpass other Reynoldsburg elementaries in early grade literacy – a point of pride for students, families and staff. District leaders took notice and expanded Lexia access for all K–3 students, inspired by Waggoner Road’s strong results.
Your generosity didn’t just buy software; it sparked a communitywide effort where partners rallied around one shared goal: every child reading on or above grade level by third grade. When you give to United Way of Central Ohio’s Success by Third Grade, you are putting tools, time and belief into children’s hands – and they are running with it.
To see more ways your support is helping students in Franklin County, explore the Success by Third Grade dashboard and stories of impact. United is the Way, we can ensure every third grader has the resources they need for a lifetime of opportunity.
