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Scholar Within Review

Monday, July 14th

2025 Learn to Read Program Reviews

Scholar Within Review 4 Star Rating

Scholar Within

4 Star Rating
  • Starts at $279 per year (which is equivalent to $24 a month) or $37 monthly for one child
  • Introductory offer gives you $10 off the first month
  • 7-day free trial offered; cancel anytime
  • Options for up to four children per account for an additional $10 per child per month (savings offered for an annual payment)
  • Child reading assessment included
  • Summer Reading Program available for grades K-8
  • 14-day online guarantee, 30-day print guarantee
  • Developed by a board-certified educational therapist
  • Disability-friendly curriculum

The founders of Scholar Within firmly believe that everyone possesses the potential to be a scholar. To make a program for everyone, Scholar Within implements a whole mind and body approach, using visual, auditory, and tactile methods to teach literacy. Scholar Within employs short lessons that utilize spiral learning. This innovative approach helps students to improve their sensory systems to make the brain work more effectively. The self-paced curriculum blends online and offline activities, primarily utilizing paper and pencil. Research has shown that the act of writing improves learning faster than screen-only programs, and Scholar Within includes worksheets, puzzles, note-taking forms, card games, brain-body activities, and other methods to teach.

What to expect for lessons

Each day, students will have a fluency drill and time for independent reading. On Mondays, they will read a story and take notes using a graphic organizer. On Wednesday, they review their notes to prepare for a quiz on Thursday. Throughout the week, they will engage in various activities such as playing games, practicing spelling and sounding out letter sounds, utilizing digital resources, and engaging in other physical and mental exercises.

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Innovative techniques, lots of support

This innovative way of teaching is different from traditional models, so there is a learning curve for teachers and parents. However, there are many tutorials and a robust library of videos on the Scholar Within YouTube channel and website. The efficient arrangement makes them incredibly easy to follow. The weekly plans are simple and elegant. Once you have spent a little time on the website, you can expect to spend 45-60 minutes for each lesson.

Print options available

One thing missing in our previous reviews of the Scholar Within learn to read program was the fact that there was a lot of downloading and printing involved. We love the idea of the mind and body learning concept, but it takes a lot of ink to do that. We are pleased to see that Scholar Within now offers The Essential Box ($59) as an option, which includes print materials for the first `10 weeks of each lesson for each grade. If you'd like the print materials for lessons 11-20, you can order those for an additional $39. The print materials include the graphic organizer, reading questions and spelling workbooks, spelling lessons and test sheets, reading fluency training drills, and a perforated card game.

A comprehensive curriculum that can stay with the child

Scholar Within is a comprehensive curriculum that provides learning all the way from kindergarten until 8th grade. This means you don't have to look for another curriculum once your child learns to read, but can stay consistent throughout the crucial elementary and middle school years.

Disability-friendly

Scholar Within's learn to read program is an integrative, multisensory learning approach to teaching reading that will work to ensure success for all children. Short activities are perfect for struggling readers or children with dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning challenges. A learning disabilities expert and board-certified educational therapist, who has worked with children and adults of all abilities for over three decades, also designed this program. Not only does this program improve literacy, but children who use this method will also improve auditory, visual, and tactile-kinesthetic processing skills to become better learners overall.

Best Learn to Read Programs

Satisfaction guaranteed

Scholar Within has a wonderful philosophy of wanting the program to help parents empower their children, and they are totally committed to that. They are so confident in their program that they offer a no-risk 30-day guarantee on their printed materials and a 14-day money-back guarantee on the online program. You have to pay shipping costs on the printed materials, and they must be unused and in a resalable condition. You must postmark the materials within 30 days of receiving them, or within 7 days of your selected start date, whichever comes first. The 14-day digital guarantee starts from the time you sign up.

Summer reading program available

Scholar Within primarily caters to homeschoolers, but if you're interested in utilizing this innovative method, they offer a Summer Reading Program that can enhance your kids' reading skills throughout the summer months. You can choose from a 6-, 8-, or 10-week program, or you can choose to have one year of access if you'd like to use the reading program during all the school holidays. Despite its marketing as a summer program, you have the flexibility to begin immediately or spread out your start date over the next few weeks or months.

Recent reviews are positive

Unlike other programs we've reviewed, Scholar Within's program has received very recent reviews. Reviewers say that Scholar Within is engaging and simple to follow. One reviewer shared that their student with ADHD was able to learn easily and stay interested throughout the program. Reports of improved comprehension and reading fluency abound. Overall, people feel like they are getting a great value for their money, as the amount of resources and support is so abundant and the quality is excellent. For all these reasons, we recommend Scholar Within as a fully comprehensive learn to read program, suitable for both full-time homeschooling and those seeking to supplement or enhance their reading skills during school breaks or in addition to traditional schooling.

What's the Best Program to Help a Child Learn to Read?

Choosing the best learn to read program is a daunting task because every child is unique and learns differently. But there are a few tried and true ways to narrow down your search to find a perfect program that can help a child learn to read.

While every child is unique, there are some tried and true methods to teach literacy that have stood the test of time and are pretty universal in application. These are teaching reading and literacy through a phonics emphasis (teaching letter sounds) or a sight words emphasis (teaching children to memorize common words in the English language).

The Best Learn to Read Programs Compare Learn to Read Programs Compare Learn to Read Program Reviews What are the best Learn to Read Programs Best Learn to Read Program Reviews

Learn to Read Program FAQ

All ages can use these programs. Programs and courses have material suitable for all ages to use. Whether it is Pre-K, Elementary, middle school, high school levels, or adults there are programs that can help anyone learn and improve their reading skills.
Most learn to read programs are self-paced and allow the customer to learn the material at their own time. On average each course can take about 20 minutes to a couple of hours depending on the length of the material given. For most effective learning, it is recommended to plan out the courses ahead of time, and to review course material, when available.
Depending on the company and type of course, the cost can range anywhere from $49.99 to $199.99. Monthly plans can range from $6.99 to $30 per month. Having additional students on one course plan, with some companies, can reduce the cost per month.
Depending on the company you consider, there are typically multiple levels of learning from beginner to expert. Most companies organize difficulty with the age of the student. Courses are typically divided into the following structured categories: Pre-K, Elementary, middle school, or high school levels. Keep in mind, several companies only go up to 8th grade, rather than offering levels for high-school students. Be sure to read the details before selecting a plan.
Yes, depending on the type of plan you choose. Be sure to read the details of any course you intend to purchase.
Of course, companies offer several different learn to read programs and are committed to customer satisfaction. Some companies even offer a free 2-week trial (no commitment), 30 days from the date of delivery to request a full refund, 14-day money-back guarantee, and more.
Kids learn to read when they can identify individual or combinations of letters. Next, they connect those letters to sounds (talking and listening). Having a good program that has systematic teaching about phonics is key for a child to being able to learn how to read. Phonics is a method of teaching a person to read by correlating sounds with individual or combinations of letters.
On average, most children begin to read around the age of 6 or 7 years old. Some children even learn as early as 4 years of age. As a bit of advice, keep in mind that even if your child has a head start in learning how to read, his or her peers may eventually catch up - and that's ok.
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Continued from above...

Phonics tends to be easier and more helpful since children can come across an unfamiliar word and, with the help of phonics, sound it out. Sight words tend to be trickier because memorization is favored over learning. This can also be problematic in spelling, too. If children don't understand phonics, they have a more difficult time spelling unfamiliar words.

Learn to read programs can utilize these principles in tailored, customized ways that fit with the individual student, and that is where you can really decide which program is best for your child. Some learning programs focus on games while others make use of songs. Still others have a multisensory approach, which works well for children who have disabilities or problems focusing. Some programs are not just for reading but offer a comprehensive curriculum.

As you consider different learn to read programs, there are a few key aspects you'll find to be most important:

  • Price. How much does the learn to read program cost? Does it offer a good value for the money - are there resources and tools, updated content, and quality that meet the price point? Is there an annual commitment? A money-back guarantee? Is the price subject to change?
  • Age range. Is the program suitable for the age of the child(ren) you want to help with their reading progress? Is it developmentally appropriate for the ages it services? If you are looking for a consistent curriculum, does the program continue for older age ranges?
  • Teaching method. Does it follow a phonics-based or sight-word-based approach? Is it disability-friendly? Does it utilize too much screen time, or does it offer off-screen learning as well? Is there a lot of parent involvement, or does it lean toward independent learning? Does it include any physical activity? Does it include print material?
  • Reviews. What are parents and educators saying about this program? Does it have a positive or negative reputation? How long has it been around? Is it backed by scientific studies? Have there been any litigations or controversies surrounding it? Have people with similar educational philosophies and values found it to be helpful? How does it rate for children with dyslexia or ADHD? These are all excellent questions to ask when searching for a learn to read program that meets your specific needs.
  • Updates. Is the learn to read program updated? How recent are parent reviews or awards? Does the website have broken links or outdated information? Are social media channels updated consistently? If you are using an app or an online platform, is it updated for security and new software enhancements?
  • Spelling and writing. Does it include a program to teach spelling to your child(ren)? Is there a trace feature so children can learn to write? Does it offer printable worksheets for handwriting practice, or is it all online?
  • Full program or supplemental. Does the program offer a full reading curriculum (like a homeschool curriculum)? If so, does it align with state requirements? Is it meant to reinforce other programs or help struggling readers catch up over the summer?

To help your child learn to read, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the top programs available today. We're confident that this information will make it simple and even fun to find a learn to read program that is perfect for your emerging reader!

Compare Learn to Read Programs

Select any 2 Learn to Read Programs to compare them head to head

best-learn-to-read-products
  • Hooked On Phonics
  • Kiz Phonics
  • Scholar Within
  • Duolingo
  • K5 Learning
  • Phonics In Motion
  • ABC Mouse
  • Homer
  • Reading Raven
  • Time 4 Learning
  • Reading Kingdom
  • Reading Eggs
Hooked On Phonics vs Kiz Phonics Hooked On Phonics vs Scholar Within Hooked On Phonics vs Duolingo Hooked On Phonics vs K5 Learning Hooked On Phonics vs Phonics In Motion Hooked On Phonics vs ABC Mouse Hooked On Phonics vs Homer Hooked On Phonics vs Reading Raven Hooked On Phonics vs Time 4 Learning Hooked On Phonics vs Reading Kingdom Hooked On Phonics vs Reading Eggs Kiz Phonics vs Scholar Within Kiz Phonics vs Duolingo Kiz Phonics vs K5 Learning Kiz Phonics vs Phonics In Motion Kiz Phonics vs ABC Mouse Kiz Phonics vs Homer Kiz Phonics vs Reading Raven Kiz Phonics vs Time 4 Learning Kiz Phonics vs Reading Kingdom Kiz Phonics vs Reading Eggs Scholar Within vs Duolingo Scholar Within vs K5 Learning Scholar Within vs Phonics In Motion Scholar Within vs ABC Mouse Scholar Within vs Homer Scholar Within vs Reading Raven Scholar Within vs Time 4 Learning Scholar Within vs Reading Kingdom Scholar Within vs Reading Eggs Duolingo vs K5 Learning Duolingo vs Phonics In Motion Duolingo vs ABC Mouse Duolingo vs Homer Duolingo vs Reading Raven Duolingo vs Time 4 Learning Duolingo vs Reading Kingdom Duolingo vs Reading Eggs K5 Learning vs Phonics In Motion K5 Learning vs ABC Mouse K5 Learning vs Homer K5 Learning vs Reading Raven K5 Learning vs Time 4 Learning K5 Learning vs Reading Kingdom K5 Learning vs Reading Eggs Phonics In Motion vs ABC Mouse Phonics In Motion vs Homer Phonics In Motion vs Reading Raven Phonics In Motion vs Time 4 Learning Phonics In Motion vs Reading Kingdom Phonics In Motion vs Reading Eggs ABC Mouse vs Homer ABC Mouse vs Reading Raven ABC Mouse vs Time 4 Learning ABC Mouse vs Reading Kingdom ABC Mouse vs Reading Eggs Homer vs Reading Raven Homer vs Time 4 Learning Homer vs Reading Kingdom Homer vs Reading Eggs Reading Raven vs Time 4 Learning Reading Raven vs Reading Kingdom Reading Raven vs Reading Eggs Time 4 Learning vs Reading Kingdom Time 4 Learning vs Reading Eggs Reading Kingdom vs Reading Eggs
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