In the heart of Henrietta, a remarkable transformation is taking place within the walls of Holy Childhood, a non-denominational agency founded in 1946 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. This educational haven is redefining the landscape of special education by implementing innovative literacy programs that cater to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Partnering with Utah-based Reading Horizons Holy Childhood is unlocking new possibilities for its 120 students across 40 districts, who often find their needs unmet in traditional public school settings.
Breaking barriers with structured literacy
At the core of this educational revolution is the Reading Horizons structured literacy program, which employs a unique blend of methods to engage students in the learning process. Teachers like Kia Hollen, a middle school educator at Holy Childhood, have witnessed astonishing progress in their students. One of Hollen’s students, who initially knew only 16 out of 26 letter sounds in January, has made remarkable strides. Yesterday, he knew 23 out of 26, and he was verbally reading the letters Hollen shares, her voice filled with emotion. There’s so much growth I’ve had with this student for three years.
The program’s success lies in its adaptive approach, which combines segmenting and blending exercises mouth shape mirroring, and the use of microphones and music to teach rhythm and pattern recognition. Students’ progress is meticulously tracked three times annually, ensuring that each child’s unique learning journey is documented and celebrated.
The power of active engagement
In the high school classrooms of Holy Childhood, teacher Joe Aldridge fosters an environment of active engagement, encouraging students to participate fully in their learning experience. Active movement is very important Aldridge emphasizes. It gets them moving, focused on the material, spotlights them, and it’s important for everyone to feel encouraged and proud of their work.
This hands-on approach has yielded impressive results. Over the past three years, the agency has studied 35 students using adaptive learning from to January 2026. High school students showed a 27.3% improvement in consonant recognition and a 47% increase in short-vowel proficiency. Middle school students also made significant strides, with a 17.1% improvement in consonant sound recognition and a 35.3% increase in short vowels.
A shift from traditional methods
Prior to adopting the Reading Horizons program, Holy Childhood’s literacy initiatives lacked structure and consistency. Students often relied on computer programs with minimal teacher-led instruction and human connection. The shift to structured literacy has been a game-changer, as it develops the neural pathways that enable students to make progress, even when historical assumptions suggested they couldn’t.
Laurel Axtell an education specialist, trainer, and presenter at Reading Horizons, underscores the program’s effectiveness. The research is clear she states. Structured literacy develops the neural pathways that allow students to make progress, even when people historically assumed they couldn’t.
As Holy Childhood continues to pave the way for learners with special needs, it serves as a beacon of hope and innovation in the field of special education. Through its partnership with Reading Horizons, the agency is not only bridging the gap in support but also addressing the broader question of how students with intellectual and developmental disabilities can learn to read and thrive.
