Roberts Academy at Florida Southern College is Proud to Celebrate Fifteen Years

The Roberts Academy at Florida Southern College is proud to celebrate fifteen years of making an impact for students with dyslexia. The Academy was established to prepare talented students with dyslexia for academic achievement through research-based programs and individualized support. Over the past fifteen years, it has expanded its impact beyond the classroom through one-on-one tutoring, internships for education majors and clinical experiences for students in the Florida Southern College School of Education. 

Recognizing that early intervention is key for students with dyslexia, The Roberts Academy expanded its program to include first grade in 2025, a move that underscores the importance of early intervention in literacy development. The expansion reflects research identifying ages 6 and 7 as a critical window for reading instruction. By introducing specialized literacy support at the point when foundational reading skills are first formally taught, the academy aims to prevent academic gaps rather than remediate them after challenges intensify.

With the addition of first grade, The Academy now begins its Orton-Gillingham scope and sequence earlier, providing multisensory literacy instruction tailored to young learners. The evidence-based approach emphasizes phonological awareness, decoding and fluency, with pacing designed to promote mastery and build confidence. 

“Starting in first grade our work shifts from remediation to prevention. Students receive targeted intervention at the very moment reading challenges emerge, which significantly reduces academic gaps,” said Dr. Jill Freedman, head of school at The Roberts Academy. “Beginning earlier also protects students’ confidence. Instead of experiencing a year or more of frustration before receiving specialized support, they experience success from the start. This emotionally validating, diagnostic, and prescriptive approach helps students build both skills and resilience, setting a stronger trajectory for their entire academic journey.” 

The move also aligns with a key educational milestone. By third grade, students typically transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn,” making early literacy development essential for long-term success across subject areas. As part of its fifteenth anniversary celebration, the school launched a campaign to enhance its outdoor learning and play spaces. Improvements include new playground equipment and upgraded safety surfacing, along with the relocation of existing equipment to a secondary playground location. The changes will more than double available play space for students. Students at The Roberts Academy also participate in community-based learning opportunities, including field trips to the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art and the Hollis Wellness Center, as well as collaborative programs including Reading Buddies with the College’s Early Childhood Learning Lab. 
 
For more information, contact the main office at The Roberts Academy at Florida Southern College at robertsacademy@flsouthern.edu or (863) 680-3741.