Across the country, educators are working to reverse a troubling trend. National reading scores have declined in recent years, prompting states—including Maryland—to embrace the Science of Reading, a research-backed approach that is reshaping literacy instruction in classrooms nationwide.
At St. Anne’s School of Annapolis, that work began years earlier.
In 2022, the independent Episcopal school made a strategic decision to redesign its literacy program around the Science of Reading—well before Maryland launched its statewide initiative. Rather than waiting for broader implementation, school leaders invested in professional development, evidence-based instructional resources, and a comprehensive approach grounded in decades of cognitive science research.
Today, those investments are producing measurable results.
According to the school’s Spring 2026 literacy benchmark data, 100% of second- and fourth-grade students are reading at average or above-average levels, while more than 95% of first- and third-grade students are performing at average or above-average levels. The results stand in sharp contrast to national trends. According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), only 31% of fourth-grade students nationwide performed at or above the proficient level in reading.
“We made a deliberate decision in 2022 to build our reading program around the best research available,” said Connie Coker, Head of School. “Today, our students are demonstrating the benefits of that investment. These results validate our commitment to evidence-based instruction and to ensuring every child develops the literacy skills needed to thrive.”
A National Movement Backed by Research
The Science of Reading is not a curriculum but a body of interdisciplinary research spanning more than 50 years. Drawing from cognitive science, linguistics, psychology, and education, it identifies five essential components of effective reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Schools that explicitly teach all five components have consistently demonstrated stronger literacy outcomes.
Several states have already demonstrated what comprehensive implementation can accomplish. Mississippi’s widely recognized literacy reforms dramatically improved fourth-grade reading achievement, while Louisiana, Tennessee, and North Carolina have all reported encouraging gains following statewide adoption of Science of Reading practices. More recently, national research from Stanford University and Harvard University has suggested that states embracing comprehensive literacy reforms are among the first to show signs of academic recovery following pandemic-era learning loss.
Why Starting Early Matters
While Maryland only recently began implementing the Science of Reading across public schools, St. Anne’s School has already spent four years refining its approach.
“Many schools are now beginning the important work of implementing Science of Reading practices,” said Dr. Hadley Moore, Associate Head of School. “Because St. Anne’s School began this journey in 2022, our teachers have had years to deepen their expertise, refine instruction, and fully integrate these practices into the classroom. The results we are seeing today are a testament to that sustained commitment.”
That sustained commitment extends beyond core classroom instruction. St. Anne’s School also offers Orton-Gillingham intervention—a structured literacy approach widely recognized for supporting students with dyslexia and other reading challenges—ensuring that students receive individualized support when needed.
Beyond the Numbers
For St. Anne’s School, the most meaningful outcome isn’t simply higher benchmark scores.
It’s watching children develop the confidence to read independently, discover a love of books, and build the literacy skills that will support every aspect of their education.
As more schools across the country continue implementing the Science of Reading, St. Anne’s School offers a compelling example of what is possible when research-based instruction is paired with experienced educators, sustained professional learning, and an unwavering commitment to every child’s success.