Culture of Reading: Creating a Year-Round Habit at INDGA

March is National Reading Month, a time dedicated to fostering a love for literacy among students. But at Indiana Gateway Digital Academy (INGDA), reading is not just celebrated in March—it’s a priority every day.

Literacy is a pressing issue in Indiana. According to the Indiana Department of Education, one in five students struggle with reading proficiency by third grade. Additionally, in 2023, only 81.9% of third graders passed the IREAD-3 assessment, highlighting the need for stronger school reading initiatives. INGDA is committed to improving these numbers by embedding a literacy culture into every aspect of learning—and we’re working together to make reading more fun for our staff and students.

How INGDA Fosters a Culture of Reading

At INGDA, Elementary Principal Sheila Boehning leads the charge in ensuring that reading is both fun and engaging. Her mission is simple: create an immersive reading culture where students see literacy as an exciting part of their daily lives.

From the start, she introduced small but impactful changes, including:

• The Reading Digital Dragon – A school mascot that always has a book, reinforcing the message that reading is essential.
• “Happy Reading!” – A signature phrase used in communication with students, families, and staff to promote enthusiasm around books.
• Teacher Engagement – Regularly checking in with teachers and students about what they are reading, sparking conversations about literature across all grade levels.

Interactive Reading Activities that Make a Difference

At INGDA, reading isn’t just a subject, it’s a way of life. Tackling Indiana’s literacy challenges head-on, INGDA makes sure students have access to innovative, engaging reading experiences all year long. Teachers bring stories to life with weekly live read-alouds, where students don’t just listen, they dive into lively discussions and share their thoughts. Fun reading challenges, like Reading Bingo, winter break book adventures, and personal goal setting, make reading feel less like homework and more like an exciting journey.

Technology plays a big role, too. With Padlet and Epic, students can track their reading, swap book recommendations, and chat about their favorite stories with classmates. And because reading should be inspiring, INGDA goes beyond the virtual classroom—just ask the third graders who were read to by astronauts in space! Talk about out-of-this-world learning!

Since March is National Reading Month, we ramp up the excitement up even more. Students explore the K-12 Reading Zone, a digital hub packed with interactive reading activities, live book readings, and a virtual library built to spark curiosity and a lifelong love of books. By weaving literacy into every part of school life, INGDA ensures that every student, no matter where they are, has the tools and encouragement to become a confident, passionate reader.

“At INGDA, our teachers play a vital role in fostering a culture of reading. They don’t just assign books—they actively engage with students by leading discussions, sharing their own love for reading, and making literacy a shared experience,” shared Sheila Boehning, Elementary Principal at Indiana Gateway Digital Academy. Whether it’s through live read-alouds, book recommendations, or creative reading challenges, our educators are constantly finding ways to inspire students and build a lifelong passion for reading.”

Improving Literacy Outcomes Through Targeted Support

At INGDA, reading support extends beyond elementary school. The school has expanded its literacy intervention efforts to ensure every student receives the help they need:

1. A Dedicated Reading Team – INGDA now has a reading interventionist and reading coach, providing targeted support for struggling readers.
2. CTE Students as Mentors – High school students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways assist younger students in literacy development, reinforcing reading skills across grades.
3. Personalized Reading Goals – Students set individual reading goals (such as 20 minutes per day) to build consistency and accountability.

The Importance of Literacy

Indiana has placed a major emphasis on third grade reading proficiency as a predictor of future academic success. Research shows that students who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. This is why INGDA is committed to supporting early literacy and ensuring that students not only meet but exceed statewide reading benchmarks.

INGDA recognizes that reading is the foundation of all learning—and that’s why we work tirelessly to make it a lifelong passion for our students.

Reading is a Year-Round Commitment

While March is National Reading Month, INGDA believes that literacy should be celebrated and reinforced every day. By embedding reading into the school culture through interactive activities, student-led discussions, and goal-setting challenges, we ensure that students develop the skills they need to succeed in school, college, and beyond.

At INGDA, we know that strong readers become strong leaders—and we’re committed to making that a reality for every student. If you’re looking for an academic environment that inspires your child, we invite you to explore enrollment at INGDA.

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