Award-Winning Susan Barton Tutors
serving Akron, OH

Students who benefit most include those with dyslexia, reading delays, decoding difficulties, or those who haven't responded well to classroom reading instruction. The system also works well for students who need a more structured, multisensory approach to reading—including gifted readers who want to strengthen foundational skills or accelerate their progress.

While Akron's 21 school districts provide solid reading instruction, personalized 1-on-1 Susan Barton tutoring offers individualized pacing, targeted skill gaps, and immediate feedback that classroom settings—with an average 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio—cannot always provide. Tutors can adjust lessons in real-time based on a student's learning style and progress, ensuring mastery before moving forward.

Most students begin to show measurable improvement in decoding and fluency within 4-8 weeks of consistent, personalized instruction. The timeline depends on the student's starting level, frequency of sessions, and practice between lessons—but the structured, systematic approach typically accelerates progress compared to general classroom reading instruction.

Yes. The Susan Barton Reading System's explicit phonics and decoding focus aligns well with Ohio's literacy standards and the science of reading. Tutors can coordinate with classroom teachers to ensure tutoring supports and reinforces what students are learning in school, creating a cohesive learning experience.

The first session typically includes an assessment of the student's current reading level, decoding skills, and specific challenges. The tutor will explain how the Susan Barton System works, establish learning goals, and begin foundational lessons tailored to the student's needs—ensuring they feel supported and understand the path forward.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors trained in the Susan Barton Reading System who work with students in Akron. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss their specific training, experience with your student's age group or reading challenges, and how they customize lessons to meet individual needs.

Practice between tutoring sessions is essential—the Susan Barton System relies on consistent reinforcement of skills taught during lessons. Tutors typically assign focused, manageable practice that takes 15-30 minutes daily, helping students internalize phonics patterns and build automaticity in decoding, which directly translates to improved reading fluency and comprehension.