03/11/25
Boosting Literacy: St. Louis Schools Take a Page from D.C.
Atlas Public School, Barbara C. Jordan Elementary in the School District of University City, Premier Charter School, and Commons Lane Primary School in the Ferguson-Florissant School District—are continuing their transformative journey as part of the Emerson Early Literacy Challenge. Supported by a $1 million investment from Emerson and facilitated by The Opportunity Trust, this initiative unites district and charter schools to develop and implement research-backed literacy strategies. A pivotal part of this journey was a visit to Washington, D.C., where educators learned from some of the nation’s top-performing literacy programs. Now, these teams are refining their strategies and preparing for full implementation in the 2025-2026 school year.
Learning from the Nation’s Capital
With early literacy at the heart of academic success, The Opportunity Trust brought four St. Louis school teams to Washington, D.C., to observe best practices in action. Garrison Elementary, one of D.C.’s top five schools, uses structured literacy to boost student success. D.C.’s demographics closely mirror those of St. Louis, with both regions serving diverse, high-need student populations, making Garrison’s strategies highly relevant and transferable.
“Garrison Elementary in Washington, D.C., is an exceptional model for early literacy, making it an ideal site for LEAs to visit and learn from,” said Jesse Dixon, Partner at The Opportunity Trust. “The school has demonstrated significant progress through its implementation of evidence-based practices aligned with the science of reading.”
Stepping into Garrison Elementary School, the St. Louis teams saw literacy excellence in action. Garrison’s structured literacy approaches, which have been recognized nationally, including in The New York Times, gave school teams practical, actionable insights into improving literacy outcomes. But this visit wasn’t just about witnessing success; it was about uncovering the “how.”
The structured approach at Garrison is something we’re excited to emulate. Their knowledge block creates both joy and a love for learning, something that’s essential for our youngest readers.
Addison Strehl, a second-grade teacher at Premier Charter School.
In addition to immersive sessions with literacy experts and classroom observations at Garrison Elementary School, the group engaged in panel discussions with administrators from D.C. Public Schools, Baltimore City Public Schools, and Meridian Public Charter School.
“Our teachers have been all in on getting foundational literacy right. While it’s been quite a learning journey, the growth observed in our children and teaching practices has been immensely gratifying,” said Kate Newman, K-5 ELA Instructional Coach at Garrison Elementary.
By prioritizing structured literacy and continuous teacher development, the school has created an environment where both educators and students are prepared with the tools they need to succeed.
Turning Insights into Action
The Opportunity Trust is ensuring that lessons from D.C. translate into tangible changes in St. Louis classrooms. Over the past few months, these school teams have participated in three intensive cohort sessions with national literacy experts. Now, they are refining their literacy plans, aligning strategies with proven methods, and preparing for board approval and budget integration.
Upcoming milestones in the challenge include:
Staying Engaged
The goal of this initiative is to prove what is possible when schools collaborate, engage with and learn from experts, and bring both their academic leaders, educators and broader community together to craft a strategy that works for their students. The Opportunity Trust’s role in this initiative extends beyond funding and coordination—we are actively shaping the landscape of literacy education in St. Louis. By engaging with both district and charter public schools and providing direct access to national literacy leaders, we are positioning these schools to become the proof of what’s possible for children’s literacy success in our community.
With literacy challenges persisting nationwide, The Opportunity Trust is committed to scaling what works. The Emerson Early Literacy Challenge is not just about four schools—it’s about setting a precedent for how evidence-based literacy strategies can be successfully implemented and sustained in high-need communities.
Whether you are an educator, policymaker, or community leader, there are opportunities to support and engage with this initiative. Follow The Opportunity Trust on LinkedIn to stay updated on progress, and reach out to learn how you can contribute to advancing literacy outcomes in St. Louis.