06/03/25
Premier Charter School: A Commitment to Literacy Excellence in the Emerson Early Literacy Challenge
Premier Charter School, located in St. Louis, has long been a beacon of educational innovation, serving a diverse student body of nearly 1,000 children in grades PreK-8. Now, as one of four schools selected to participate in the Emerson Early Literacy Challenge, Premier is poised to take its literacy initiatives to the next level, leveraging its strong foundation to close the third-grade reading proficiency gap.
Who Is On The Team?
This two-year challenge, supported by a $1 million investment from Emerson and facilitated by The Opportunity Trust, allows Premier to refine and expand its evidence-based literacy practices. The Premier team leading this initiative includes:
- Dr. Suzanne Bright, Head of Principal Development and Support
- Dr. Julie Frugo, Head of School
- Dana Leesman, Head of Academics
- Aryn Hendricks, Literacy Coach
- Jessica Archer, Kindergarten Teacher
- Jessica Smyth, Co-Principal
- Derek Davenport, Head of Student Services
- Dr. Kathryn Mitchell Pierce, Education Chair & Board Vice Chair, Saint Louis University
- Jodi Huber, Early Childhood Principal
How Is Premier Charter School Advancing Literacy?
Premier has demonstrated a strong commitment to literacy, guided by research-based practices and a whole-child approach to education. Their current curriculum includes Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) for grades K-8 and Heggerty Phonemic Awareness, which provide systematic instruction in phonics, decoding, and comprehension. These programs are complemented by small-group reading instruction, a long-standing practice at Premier that allows teachers to meet students where they are and address their specific needs.
We are dedicated to closing achievement gaps, and we’ve been working hard to address the learning loss caused by the pandemic. We’re excited to use this opportunity to fine-tune our teaching, empower our teachers and students, and make sure every student gets the high-quality literacy education they deserve.
Dr. Suzanne Bright, Head of Principal Development and Support
Premier has also demonstrated adaptability by supplementing past instructional practices with high-quality materials to strengthen phonics and phonemic awareness instruction.
“In the past, we’ve focused on both whole group and small group reading instruction, making sure to zero in on the areas where our students needed more focused support,” Dr. Bright explained. “Specifically, we noticed the need for stronger instruction in phonics and phonemic awareness, so we added high-quality instructional materials to supplement those areas.”
What Defines Success?
For Premier, success means ensuring that every student has the skills they need to thrive academically and beyond.
“This is about creating a school-wide movement,” said Dr. Bright. “We want to inspire our teachers, students, and parents to work together to close the literacy gap. By celebrating achievements and providing meaningful support, we can build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.”
By fostering a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility, Premier is ensuring that every stakeholder—teachers, parents, and students—has a role in shaping literacy success.
“For teachers, we’ll provide ongoing professional learning and opportunities to share ideas and feedback, so they feel supported and empowered in their work,” said Dr. Bright. “We will engage parents through regular communications, workshops, and ways to help with literacy at home, making them partners in this journey. And for students, we’ll celebrate their progress and achievements, keep them engaged with fun and meaningful literacy instruction, and make sure they know their growth matters to everyone.”
Looking Ahead
The journey ahead is both exciting and challenging. Over the next few months, Premier will continue to engage in professional development, collaborate with other schools in the cohort, and refine its strategies based on the lessons learned. The school is also focused on engaging its broader community through workshops, communications, and opportunities for parents to support literacy at home.
The Emerson Early Literacy Challenge is more than a program—it’s a movement to close literacy gaps and create proof points for what’s possible in education. Follow Premier’s journey and see how they are leading the charge for change. Updates, stories, and insights will be shared on The Opportunity Trust’s website and LinkedIn. Together, we can build a future where every child has the opportunity to succeed.