Indian River County Schools Set National Standard with “Moonshot” Literacy Success
In a remarkable display of community collaboration and educational innovation, Indian River County is making headlines not just locally, but across the nation, for its unprecedented success in improving student literacy rates. While the state of Florida grapples with reading proficiency—averaging a 57 percent reading level among students in 2025—schools right here in Vero Beach are proving that a community-wide approach can yield astronomical results.
The driving force behind this success is a unique partnership between the Indian River County School District and The Learning Alliance. Founded 15 years ago by Barbara Hammond and Liz Remington, two mothers who experienced firsthand the struggles of navigating the school system with children facing reading difficulties, the Alliance was built on a bold ambition known as the “Moonshot goal.”
“We’ve always framed it as a question – what does it take for 90% of kids ready for kindergarten, and reading on third grade?”
This question is no longer just a hypothetical. Beachland Elementary recently achieved that very goal, hitting a 91 percent reading proficiency rate in third grade last year. Furthermore, Vero Beach Elementary has staged an incredible turnaround, improving their third-grade reading levels from 38 percent to 71 percent in just three years.
A Community-Backed Approach
The success of this initiative relies on the philosophy that it takes a village to raise a reader. With a six-million-dollar operating budget funded by local philanthropists and business owners, The Learning Alliance works hand-in-hand with Superintendent Dr. David Moore and district staff. This funding and support provide critical resources, including:
At Vero Beach Elementary, Principal Sarah Van Brimmer and District “Teacher of the Year” Ariella MacDonald are witnessing the transformation firsthand. MacDonald utilizes immersive techniques, such as transforming her classroom into a “hospital” where students dress as doctors to “operate” on words, igniting a passion for reading through play and performance.
Vero Beach on the National Stage
The success in Indian River County has not gone unnoticed. The district recently rose from ranking 34th in the state for third-grade reading to an impressive 2nd place. This achievement has turned Vero Beach into a model for educational reform.
Last week, the district and The Learning Alliance hosted the Wired to Learn Fast workshop to share their strategies. The event attracted 300 educators and officials from 31 different states, some traveling from as far as Los Angeles, to learn how Vero Beach is solving the literacy crisis.
For residents of Indian River County, this is more than just good news for schools; it is a testament to the power of our local community. When business leaders, philanthropists, parents, and educators align with a singular vision, the results can quite literally change the trajectory of the next generation. As Dr. Moore noted, hitting 90 percent proficiency is remarkable, but in Indian River County, it is proving to be entirely doable.
