Welcome, Fellow Dragons
If you came here from the Lake Orion Chat Room — welcome.
“Reading struggles” are common. But when a school report says your child is “below reading level,” it can feel heavy. Urgent. Personal. Even isolating.
But it doesn’t have to stay that way…
This is fixable — when addressed correctly.
A Small Local Pilot (12 Students Only)
We are opening 12 seats for a founding pilot of our new (live, but virtual) Reading Studio.
This is structured, brain-aligned reading intervention — not tutoring, not homework help, not worksheets.
If your child is in grades 3–12 and currently reading below level, this may be a strong fit.
(We personally review each application to ensure fit before enrollment.)
Enrollment will close once 12 students are confirmed.
Who We Are
We are Lake Orion residents.
I’m Susan Kruger Winter, a certified reading specialist and founder of SOAR® Learning. My husband, Brian Winter, is a National Board-Certified Teacher and taught at Lake Orion High School from 2001–2011.
We are authors of the best-selling study skills book in the world. For over 25 years, we’ve helped schools and families resolve reading and learning struggles.
Today, our executive functioning and study skills curriculum is used in:
- 5,100+ schools nationwide
- 51 countries worldwide
But we are expanding our reading intervention to a new, more accessible and flexible format. And are offering pilot spaces to our local community.
Why This Work Is Personal
When our son (now, age 22) was in 1st grade, he made zero reading progress.
His assessment graphs were flat.
Instead of support, we were threatened with child neglect charges.
It was terrifying! We tried to get help from school and medical professionals, but we kept hitting dead-ends.
So, I channeled my Mama Bear energy with my professional expertise and studied the brain.
After three lost years in school (K-2), we rebuilt his foundation in ONE summer — less than 3 hours per week.
By the first day of 3rd grade, he was reading on level. (He went on to graduate high school with honors!)
Not because he worked harder.
Because we used targeted, brain-aligned intervention.
Since then, I’ve helped hundreds of students do the same.
Many gain approximately one year of reading growth in about three months — often with just 10 focused minutes a day.
What Makes Reading Studio Different
Most tutoring focuses on effort.
Reading Studio focuses on alignment.
Students receive:
- Structured, research-aligned skill progression
- Immediate corrective feedback
- Gamified progress tracking (students see growth in real time)
- Live coaching and accountability
- Customized adjustments based on observation
- Monthly progress reporting
This is systematic intervention — not guesswork.
You won’t wonder if it’s working.
You’ll see it.
How the Studio Works
24/7 Structured Reading Software
Students complete short, focused sessions throughout the week.
They receive:
- Immediate feedback
- Brain-aligned practice
- Motivating progress tracking
Live Virtual Studio Sessions (Tuesdays & Thursdays)
Students attend at least one session per week.
Sessions include:
- Accountability support
- Real-time coaching
- Personalized adjustments
- 1-1 interaction within a structured group
This combination accelerates growth while keeping the process manageable.
Is This a Strong Fit for You?
This pilot is designed for students:
In grades 3–12, who are beyond the “learning to read” years, yet…
Currently below grade level
Willing to attend one weekly live session
Able to complete ~50–60 minutes of weekly practice
Ready for structured intervention (not tutoring-by-guesswork)
This includes students with 504s and IEPs who attend general education classes.
If we determine your child needs a higher-touch model, we will say so openly — and/or issue a full refund, if appropriate.
Pilot Structure & Investment
We are opening 12 students only while we finalize scheduling logistics.
Standard Guided Studio Rate: $229/month
Founding Pilot Rate: $179/month
(3-month minimum)
We expect to need no more than 30 days to smooth logistics, but we are extending the founding pricing for the full 3 months.
Why the 3-month minimum?
Because meaningful reading growth requires:
- Baseline measurement
- Skill alignment
- Consistent practice
- Measurable evaluation
Short enrollments rarely produce lasting change.
Parent Role
You do not need to sit beside your child during sessions.
The live Zoom structure supports focus.
Some students benefit from quiet “body doubling,” but you won’t need to teach or manage the session.
Your role is encouragement — not instruction.
Our Guarantee
If we cannot help your child — or if you are not satisfied — we will issue a full refund, as we honor all of our clients. (See details, here.)
We care deeply about our national clients.
But we care even more about our neighbors!
A Personal Note
Reading struggles can feel isolating.
They are not a reflection of your parenting.
They are not a reflection of your child’s intelligence.
They are usually a misalignment problem… between how we, as human beings, learn and how The System teaches.
And alignment flips momentum, fast!
We are opening this pilot locally because this is our community.
If your child needs structured support, we would be honored to help.
Apply for the Reading Studio Pilot
Enrollment closes once 12 students are confirmed.