Savvy Learning Frequently Asked Questions.

You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.

Schedule

Can I pick a time that works best for my child?

Yes. Classes run from morning to evening, and we will work with you to place your child in a class that works for your schedule.

I’d like to get some of my child’s friends together in a group. Is that possible?

Yes! We can work with you to create a cohort of similar-level learners who meet online.

How long would you suggest a child needs to have this kind of coaching?

Providing a solid foundation in reading and math is no small task. We recommend 6-12 months as the minimum amount of time it will take for Savvy Learning to help most children 1) build a strong foundation of reading and math capabilities, 2) develop a lasting confidence in their reading and math skills, and 3) realize a love of reading and math that comes from positive, engaging experiences over time.

When you see progress, our recommendation is to continue with Savvy Learning as far as we have an available curriculum for your learner’s level. The investment you make now in their reading and math abilities and confidence will compound over the years as they use those skills to become capable, self-driven learners.

What if my child misses a session?

Savvy Learning’s curriculum is built with 4 sessions per week as the core. Since repetition and review is part of the curriculum, it’s okay if your child can only attend 3 sessions every week. We recommend learners try to attend all 4 sessions each week though for maximum success.

Is this a 12-month program? Does it follow a school calendar? Have holidays off?

Savvy Learning is a year-round program with the most common US holidays off and two holiday weeks off. The monthly pricing was set with these holidays in mind, so instead of lowering the monthly price for holidays, including in November and December, all months are slightly lower in price than they otherwise would be. Savvy follows a school calendar in the sense that the program recognizes the holidays listed below. However, we will meet your reader at the appropriate level rather than being confined to a specific grade level in a given year.

Here are the holidays Savvy Learning takes off: Labor Day, Thanksgiving week, Christmas week, New Year’s Day, MLK Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.

Curriculum, Content & Delivery

Do you align with the Common Core State Standards that schools use?

Yes! Well-qualified, experienced teachers design our curriculum and each of our lessons to align with Common Core State Standards.

Do you use a structured literacy approach?

Yes! While Savvy lessons are engaging and fun, the scope and sequence for each level are systematic, and new material is taught explicitly. Phonological awareness and phonics instruction are vital components, with a focus on the word level. Learners are taught the mechanics of decoding and practice this while reading the text. Fluency and reading comprehension are also included in each lesson.

What platform do you use?

Coaching sessions are held via our web-based platform that includes video conferencing, slides, and interactive elements.

How would this help a child you suspect has dyslexia?

Not all children learn to read quickly and automatically. Savvy Reading is an excellent program for struggling learners, learners who may have dyslexia, and learners who have decided that reading is not enjoyable. Savvy’s curriculum is built on explicit and systematic instruction and draws from the Orton Gillingham method. Focusing on the sounds and matching letters that makeup words allows struggling readers to begin to feel successful in reading. Savvy is also designed to bring fun and enjoyment back to the forefront of learning to read. Fostering a love of reading is so essential as learners begin to understand how to decode words and start reading more fluently. Savvy does both!

Does Savvy Reading have a program for Spanish speakers learning to read in English?

While the Savvy Reading curriculum is not designed to teach English to non-native speakers, Spanish speakers with some English language comprehension would benefit from Savvy’s reading instruction. We invite you to contact us for a discussion on whether an individual session would be a suitable match for your learner.

How do I choose a level for my child?

Savvy groups are leveled by skills typically taught in a specific grade, but our learners are grouped by ability rather than the age or school grade level. We have a placement assessment you can work through with your child that helps us find the right level. Once that is completed, we seek confirmation from you that the level sounds right based on your experience with your child. Once your child is enrolled into a group at the right level, we will provide additional support to be sure it is the right fit.

How is Savvy Learning’s reading curriculum designed?

Curriculum for Savvy Reading is designed by teachers with professional degrees using Common Core standards, Science of Reading research based instruction, and the Orton Gillingham approach. The curriculum includes instruction in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Lessons include spiral review of previous skills so that learners can become proficient and confident. A core component of the Savvy curriculum is not only creating research-based lessons but also ensuring the sessions are engaging and fun for learners.

How is Savvy Learning’s math curriculum designed?

Curriculum for Savvy Math is designed by teachers with professional degrees using Common Core standards and Evidence-Based Math Instruction. Lessons use the gradual release of responsibility model to allow learners to build confidence in their approach to solving math problems. The curriculum explicitly teaches problem-solving strategies incorporating visual representations using CRA (concrete-representational-abstract) methods before group and independent practice. Learners also apply the skills they are learning to real-world problems and are encouraged to use their creativity in problem-solving. Lessons include spiral review of previous skills so that learners can become proficient and confident. A core component of the Savvy curriculum is not only creating research-based lessons but also ensuring the sessions are engaging and fun for learners.

Do children get book lists? Or how do they read with coaches?

All reading material is presented in our online format as text that coaches and learners can access together.

Do you think that learning to read and write goes hand in hand, or does reading come first?

We recognize that reading and writing are essential to well-rounded literacy. The focus for Savvy Reading is on reading, and other than some simple activities such as writing letters or words as part of some reading lessons, our curriculum does not currently focus on teaching writing in addition to reading.

Do you accept children in special education?

Although the program does not have a specific focus on learners in special education settings, our classes may be suitable for your learner. We invite you to contact us for a discussion on whether an individual session would be a suitable match for your child.

Coaches

Is it possible to become a coach?

Yes. Please see the page on our site entitled “Our Coaches” to learn more.

What kind of course training do coaches undergo for Savvy certification?

We provide coaches with the curriculum and content for all coaching sessions. Coaches are trained on Savvy’s values, curriculum and content, safety and session management, rules and procedures, and our online platform.

What experience or qualifications do coaches have?

All of our coaches have teaching experience and teaching certificates or other strong and relevant credentials.

Are there coach bios?

Once your child is enrolled in a class, you will receive information about your child’s new coach, including education and a summary of relevant experience.

Learners

Is Savvy Learning only for those struggling with reading or math? Can it be a fun option for anyone learning reading or math?

Savvy is for anyone learning to read or conquer math, whether they’re struggling, at level, or ahead of their grade level. No matter the situation, we work to build skills, confidence, and a lasting love of reading and math, which everyone should have!

Can I enroll a child who doesn’t know their letters or sounds?

Yes. Our Savvy Reading Pre-K/Kindergarten levels cover all of the basics.

I have a child in a higher grade (e.g., 4th, or 5th grade) who is well below their grade level, closer to a first, second, or third-grade level. Will you have classes for my child?

Individual coaching sessions (instead of a group) may be the right fit for an older learner. We have coaches who can cater the content and coaching to help older learners gain the skills and confidence they need.

My child turns 4 next month. Too young?

Generally, we recommend you wait until your child is at least 4 or 5 to enroll, primarily to ensure an adequate ability to focus and engage with a cohort of similarly aged children.

Is this for a preschooler 4 or 5 years old who knows phonics and can sound out words slowly?

This could be a perfect fit for the kindergarten level. With young children, you will need to gauge whether this online format with other children (possibly a year or two older than them) will be a good fit.

Do you assess children somehow, so they’re at the same learning level as their group?

When you enroll, there is a Placement Assessment you can work through with your child on our website that helps us determine the appropriate grade level for your child. Coaches will be continually monitoring and assessing learners to ensure they are at an appropriate level with a group that makes sense.

What grade levels do you teach?

For Savvy Reading: Pre-kindergarten to 6th-grade reading level. Learners are placed in groups based on ability and not their current grade level. Our earlier levels focus heavily on phonological awareness, phonics, word recognition, and sight words, with fluency and comprehension built into each lesson. As the levels progress, readers learn more complex phonics patterns and automaticity. In levels 3-6, the emphasis is on fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and word work (e.g., syllabication, prefixes, suffixes, tricky phonics patterns with multi-syllable words).

For Savvy Math: 1st-5th grade levels. Learners are placed in groups based on ability and not their current grade level.

Parents

How involved do parents need to be? Can kids do this independently?

Savvy is intended to be a standalone program where a coach fully engages children during a fast and fun 25-minute session. Most parents will not need to be involved. Of course, we hope you read with your child consistently on your own, but Savvy’s curriculum is standalone.

Membership & Financial Questions

Can we upgrade or change membership levels (i.e., start monthly and move to an annual subscription)?

Yes. You can always move from a month-to-month to a long-term plan anytime. The pricing will change starting the next full month. You can also change from an individual to a group plan or group to an individual plan within the same time period. For example, you can switch from an individual annual plan to an individual group plan at any time.

Can I cancel if my child doesn’t like it?

The month-to-month plan can be canceled anytime. Long-term plans, which are discounted due to the long-term contract, can also be canceled, but there will be a cancellation fee based on how long you have remaining in the contract.

Is there a Sliding Scale or Scholarship Program?

It would be amazing to have a scholarship fund to support learners whose families can’t afford Savvy’s regular price. We are looking into how to make this happen. If you would like to sponsor a scholarship, please contact support@savvylearning.com.

I don’t live in the United States. Is this available internationally?

Absolutely. We welcome international learners!

Is there an option to pay for the entire year upfront?

Yes. At checkout, there is an option to pay upfront. You can also reach out anytime to billing@savvylearning.com to pay the remaining balance upfront.

Can I get an annual subscription and switch kids halfway through?

Yes. An annual plan is a contract between Savvy and you – the parent/custodian. You can decide when and if to switch learners under one plan.

Do you have resources for people if this is out of budget?

We are working to qualify for state funds to pay for homeschool programs.