For the leadership team at independent school McAuley House School in Johannesburg, the signs of a generation reading less were becoming increasingly visible in classrooms. Teachers across the curriculum were reporting the same challenge: many students lacked the fundamental reading and comprehension skills needed to understand questions and engage with subject content.
Serving a diverse student population, McAuley House School recognised an urgent need to rebuild a culture of reading. Improving literacy was essential not only for academic success but also for ensuring every student had an equitable opportunity to thrive.
The Solution: Discovery Education’s DreamBox Reading Plus
Three years ago, McAuley House introduced DreamBox Reading Plus by Discovery Education, an evidence-based online programme designed to accelerate literacy development through personalised instruction and intervention for learners typically aged 7-16.
DreamBox Reading Plus by Discovery Education uses an adaptive learning model that places each student on the most appropriate pathway for their reading ability. The programme begins with the InSight Assessment, a rapid tool which measures silent reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and motivation. In less than an hour, educators gain a clear picture of each learner’s reading ability, providing a reliable baseline to guide instruction.
Based on these results, students progress through personalised content across 19 reading levels, from early readers to secondary-level texts. The programme also includes specialised content for older learners reading below age-related expectations. A wide variety of engaging texts helps students build knowledge across subjects while strengthening their reading confidence. Clear, easy-to-use reporting tools allow teachers to track progress, identify gaps in understanding and adapt classroom support where needed.
In less than an hour, educators can have a clear, comprehensive picture of their pupils’ skills and abilities across silent reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and motivation.
Implementation at McAuley House School
The school implemented DreamBox Reading Plus in a way that reflected the needs of both students and staff. In the High School (Grades 8–9), where the timetable was already full, the programme was assigned as homework. Students were expected to complete 20–25 minutes of practice each day, helping them develop consistent reading habits outside the classroom. To ensure all students could participate, the school also prioritised access for each student. The media centre was opened three afternoons a week so students without personal laptops or devices at home could complete their Reading Plus sessions.
Meanwhile, In the primary school (Grades 4-7), DreamBox Reading Plus was integrated directly into the timetable. Students receive a dedicated half-hour session each week, alongside encouragement to practise at home. Consistent monitoring has been key to the programme’s success. Teachers regularly track student engagement and progress to ensure learners stay on track.
“If you leave them to their own devices and you don’t monitor, they won’t do it consistently,” says Zita Jurgens, teacher and school IT Manager. “Consistency is what creates the improvement. They’ve got to do it every single day.”
Measurable Impact Across the Curriculum
Since implementing DreamBox Reading Plus, McAuley House School has seen significant improvements in students’ reading ability. The school measures progress through three baseline assessments, at the beginning, middle and end of the academic year.
“From baseline to baseline, the percentages go up tremendously,” says Principal Zeza Abreu. “We see many more children moving from baseline one to baseline three reading at level or above.”
Teachers have also noticed improvements beyond English lessons. As students’ reading skills develop, they become more confident in interpreting exam questions and engaging with content across subjects. An additional benefit is that the programme is helping to expand students’ general knowledge. Exposure to the wide range of texts means learners often encounter topics that later arise in class discussions.
“I know as an English teacher, that when we discuss certain topics in class, several children will say, ‘Oh yes, I read about this in Reading Plus,’” says Ms. Jurgens.
Meanwhile, In the primary school (Grades 4-7), DreamBox Reading Plus was integrated directly into the timetable. Students receive a dedicated half-hour session each week, alongside encouragement to practise at home. Consistent monitoring has been key to the programme’s success. Teachers regularly track student engagement and progress to ensure learners stay on track.
“If you leave them to their own devices and you don’t monitor, they won’t do it consistently,” says Zita Jurgens, teacher and school IT Manager. “Consistency is what creates the improvement. They’ve got to do it every single day.”
Supporting Every Reader
One of the strengths of DreamBox Reading Plus is its ability to support students across the full range of reading abilities. High-achieving students can progress rapidly through the programme. One student, now in Grade 10, completed the entire Reading Plus programme and reached college-level reading proficiency while still in high school, contributing to her outstanding A++ academic performance.
At the same time, the programme provides meaningful support for students who struggle with reading fluency. The variety of texts keeps all students engaged, while the digital format resonates with learners who are comfortable working in a screen-based environment.
“The diversity of material is important,” explains Ms. Jurgens. “If they get bored with one topic, they can move to another.” Perhaps the strongest endorsement comes from students themselves. Even after completing the programme requirement, some ask to continue using it to strengthen their reading and vocabulary skills.
Success in Every Subject
For McAuley House School, DreamBox Reading Plus by Discovery Education has become an important part of its literacy strategy. Through consistent use, careful monitoring and a commitment to access for all students, the school has created a sustainable approach to improving reading skills. As literacy levels continue to rise, teachers are seeing the impact across the entire curriculum — helping more students to understand what they read, engage confidently in class and achieve their full academic potential.
“Improving our students’ reading ability with Reading Plus has had a ripple effect across the entire school”, says Principal Zeza Abreu. “When students understand what they read, they’re able to succeed in every subject.”