For Districts & Schools

Transform Literacy Outcomes Across Your District with Brain-Based Phonics

Secret Stories® bridges the gap between how kids learn and how reading is traditionally taught. Backed by cognitive neuroscience and aligned with the Science of Reading, it accelerates phonics mastery with evidence-based strategies proven to boost literacy outcomes.

100,000+
Educators & districts nationwide
ESSA Tier 1
STRONG evidence rating, independently verified
1.62 Effect Size
Average across 27 studies, 6x the .24 industry average
Leading Districts
Incl. NYC DOE, LAUSD, Fresno USD & Gwinnett County

The Only ESSA Level 1 Phonics Resource

Independently reviewed and verified with an average effect size of 1.62, and 95% of students using Secret Stories® outperformed those using other phonics resources. That is the strong evidence standard your funding applications ask for.

EFFECT SIZE HIGHER IS BETTER
Avg. of 100 most-researched programs
McGraw-Hill · Wilson · Scholastic · F&P…
.24
+ Explicit phonics added
Core curriculum with phonics layered in
.41
.24 ES · industry average
.41 ES · + explicit phonics
1.62 ES · + Secret Stories®

Why Districts Choose Secret Stories®

A unified approach to phonics that can be implemented across multiple schools, without disrupting what already works.

Fast to Implement, No Training Burden

Teachers can start using the secrets on day one. Secret Stories fits into what your staff is already doing, with no extra lesson time needed, so implementation is cost-effective and does not require significant financial investment beyond the materials.

Works With Any Core Curriculum

Secret Stories aligns with any curriculum your schools already run, including UFLI, Heggerty, and other Science of Reading programs. It layers brain-based phonics onto your existing core, so there is no curriculum swap and no disruption.

ESSA Evidence That Unlocks Funding

The ESSA Level 1 STRONG rating and 1.62 average effect size satisfy the evidence-based requirement written into Title I, Title II, Title IV, IDEA, and most state literacy grants, so eligibility questions are settled before they start.

Teacher Buy-In That Sticks

Administrators tell us they have not seen this much excitement from teachers in years. Because the secrets make phonics easier to teach and more fun to learn, staff adopt them willingly and a consistent approach spreads across classrooms.

Implementation at Scale

Start small, prove it with your own benchmark data, then standardize. Most districts follow the same three moves.

1

Pilot a Few Classrooms

Equip a handful of K-2 classrooms with Class Kits. Teachers start using the secrets on day one with no extra lesson time, and your next benchmark window tells the story.

2

Scale to the School

Roll out grade level by grade level so every classroom shares the same language for phonics. Add the on-demand PD workshop so every teacher onboards consistently.

3

Standardize District-Wide

Bring consistency in literacy instruction across schools. Our team handles volume quotes, vendor paperwork, and PD scheduling so your rollout stays on your timeline.

Professional Development for Your Staff

Secret Stories® requires no formal training to start, but PD accelerates buy-in and keeps instruction consistent across schools.

On-Demand

Full-Day On-Demand Workshop

A 5.5 hour workshop designed for teacher viewing with 30 days of access. Ideal for PD days and new-staff onboarding without pulling teachers out of classrooms.

On-Site & Live

On-Site & Virtual Training

Live training for schools and districts, scheduled around your calendar and tailored to your rollout plan, grade bands, and existing core curriculum.

All training can be in person or virtual. In person may incur additional travel fees.

From Quote to Classroom in 3 Steps

Purchase orders welcome. Here is exactly how districts and schools buy from us.

1

Request a Quote

Tell us your schools, grade levels, and quantities. We return a formal quote, usually within 1 business day. Start a quote request

2

We Countersign & Send W-9

We provide the countersigned quote plus our W-9 and vendor packet so your business office can set us up as a vendor without back-and-forth.

3

Send Your PO

Email your purchase order and we confirm, process, and ship. Questions along the way go to the same inbox: support@thesecretstories.com

“Last year, at this time of year we had 11 kindergarten students reading at or above grade level. This year, we have 34! The Secret Stories are better than anything out there for quickly transforming kids into REAL readers and writers!!!”

Debbie, Primary Director in Indiana

Rated 4.9 stars across 22,000+ reviews from educators and parents

District FAQs

The questions curriculum committees and business offices ask most.

Can we pay for this with Title I or other federal funds?
Yes. Secret Stories meets the ESSA Level 1 STRONG evidence standard, which satisfies the evidence-based requirement for Title I, Title II, Title IV, and IDEA spending, as well as most state literacy grants. Our funding guide walks through each source and who to ask.
Read the Funding Guide →
What evidence backs Secret Stories?
Secret Stories has been independently reviewed and verified at ESSA Level 1 STRONG, the highest standard of evidence. Across 27 studies it shows an average effect size of 1.62, roughly 6x the .24 industry average, and 95% of students using Secret Stories outperformed those using other phonics resources.
Download the Evidence Summary (PDF) →
How long does a rollout take?
Faster than most programs, because there is no heavy training burden. Teachers can start using the secrets on day one alongside your existing core curriculum. A typical pilot runs one benchmark window, and school-wide rollouts commonly happen within a single semester.
What PD options are available for our staff?
Two options: a full-day on-demand workshop (5.5 hours, designed for teacher viewing, with 30 days of access) and live training for schools and districts. All training can be in person or virtual. In person may incur additional travel fees.
Book a meeting to plan PD →

Ready to Bring Secret Stories® to Your District?

Book a meeting to talk goals, timeline, and pricing for your schools, or request a formal quote to get the paperwork moving today.

Prefer email? Reach us any time at support@thesecretstories.com