Peace Academy MS

Why is reading fluency so important?

Many people think fluency is simply reading quickly.

It’s much more than that.

Reading fluency is the ability to read accurately, at an appropriate pace, and with expression. When students become fluent readers, they no longer have to spend all of their mental energy sounding out individual words.

Think about it this way:

If a child is working hard to decode every word on the page, their brain is focused on figuring out what the words say.

But when reading becomes fluent, the brain is free to focus on what the words mean.

That's where comprehension happens.

When reading is slow, difficult, and laborious, students often finish a passage without truly understanding what they just read. Their cognitive energy has been spent decoding rather than thinking.

Fluent readers, on the other hand, can:

✔ visualize what they are reading
✔ identify important details
✔ determine the main idea
✔ make predictions and inferences
✔ answer questions using evidence from the text
✔ analyze and think critically about what they read

In other words, fluency unlocks comprehension.

As students prepare for third grade, strong fluency skills become increasingly important because texts become more complex and students are expected to think more deeply about what they read.

At Power-Up Camp, we help students strengthen the foundational skills that support fluent reading so they can spend less time sounding out words and more time understanding, analyzing, and learning from text.

Because reading isn't just about saying the words.

It's about making meaning from them.

What is reading comprehension and why does it matter so much before third grade?

Reading comprehension is more than simply reading words correctly out loud. It is the ability to truly understand, think about, analyze, and connect with what is being read.

By third grade, students are expected to move from learning to read to reading to learn. That means students must be able to think more deeply about texts while reading independently across all subjects.

A strong reader should be able to:
✔ decode unfamiliar words using phonics skills and structural analysis
✔ identify the main idea and supporting details
✔ describe characters, settings, themes, and plot
✔ summarize and paraphrase stories in their own words
✔ make predictions and inferences using clues from the text
✔ determine the author’s purpose and point of view
✔ compare their own thinking to the author’s perspective
✔ use context clues, prefixes, suffixes, and root words to determine word meaning
✔ understand figurative language and multiple-meaning words
✔ make meaningful connections to self, text, and the world
✔ interpret charts, diagrams, and other visual information in informational texts
✔ use evidence from the passage to support answers and thinking

These are the foundational literacy skills students need to become successful readers, not just in reading class, but in science, social studies, math, and beyond.

At Peace Academy and Power-Up Camp, we believe literacy instruction should be intentional, engaging, and built around helping students become confident thinkers and readers.

Strong comprehension builds strong learners.

Third grade is more than just another school year, it is a major academic milestone.

At the end of third grade, students in Mississippi take a state reading assessment that they must pass to move forward confidently into the next grade level. But at Peace Academy, our goal is not just for students to pass…
Our goal is PROFICIENCY.
Our goal is CONFIDENCE.
Our goal is students walking into third grade prepared to thrive.

That’s exactly why we created Power-Up Camp.
Power-Up Camp is a focused five-day literacy experience designed especially for rising 3rd graders who need to strengthen:
-reading comprehension
-vocabulary development
-fluency
-confidence
-academic stamina and readiness

Led by experienced literacy instructors with a 95% passing rate, this camp gives students the tools, strategies, and support they need before third grade begins.

In a small-group, engaging learning environment, students receive intentional instruction rooted in proven literacy practices that help readers grow stronger and more confident.

Give your child a strong start before third grade begins.

Register today to secure your child’s spot in Power-Up Camp: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeacR9NKqSS_kXuQEezjEdP3YXAy_rBsBFP754DmlGXgOmxTw/viewform?pli=1

Are you looking for a week-long literacy camp to help prepare your child for a milestone year like third grade?

Peace Academy is excited to offer our Power-Up Camp for Rising 3rd Graders, a focused, engaging 5-day literacy experience designed to give students the skills and confidence they need before the school year begins.

Third grade is a critical transition year when students move from learning to read to reading to learn.

Our Power-Up Camp helps make that transition smoother and more successful through:
- Strengthening reading comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency
- Building confidence and independence as readers
- Practicing skills aligned with third grade expectations and the state reading assessment
- Learning through small-group instruction, guided practice, and hands-on literacy activities
- Support from experienced, certified educators with a strong record of student success

This camp is designed to give your child the strong academic start they deserve before the school year even begins.

Choose the session that works best for your family:
June 15–19 | 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
July 13–17 | 8:00 AM–12:00 PM

Seats are limited!

Register today to secure your child’s spot:

https://forms.gle/nsbgpFu651VocLEi7?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQKNjYyODU2ODM3OQABHp_7dUXib1fFPXZgc_J6WdWQY9uwXqrmI-bMzPDgzhktLVEnkBFSkei0uqcq_aem_OtUGAW5BkGzy-jUcpFo1Ew

Our hearts are full as we reflect on Peace Academy’s very first year.

This parent testimonial beautifully captures the heart of what we set out to build: a microschool where students are seen, challenged, nurtured, and encouraged to grow into confident, curious learners.

At Peace Academy, we believe education should feel personal, purposeful, and connected. We are honored to partner with families who trust us with their children’s academic journey, personal growth, and love of learning.

This first year was more than grand. It was foundational.

A new kind of classroom.
A whole new Peace of Mind.

 At Peace Academy, we don’t just teach students lessons — we help them grow into leaders.

Leadership is built through confidence, responsibility, character, collaboration, and real-world experiences.

Our scholars are given opportunities to use their voices, take ownership of their learning, work with others, serve their community, and develop the skills they need to lead in the classroom, in the community, and in the world.

At Peace Academy, students are nurtured, challenged, supported, and empowered to become future leaders with purpose.

-Personalized Learning
-Small-Group Instruction
-Character Development
-Real-World Learning
-Leadership Opportunities

Now enrolling!

Give your child a school experience designed to help them grow, lead, and thrive.

Peace Academy where future leaders grow.

Today we proudly celebrate Peace Academy student TJ King for his outstanding achievements and incredible growth throughout the school year.

TJ received the following honors during our Awards Day celebration:
🏆 Honor Roll – Semester 1 & Semester 2
🏆 Literacy and Mathematical Growth Award
🏆 Independent Scholar Award
🏆 Musical Mastermind Award

Throughout the year, TJ consistently demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and a strong commitment to excellence. His hard work and determination allowed him not only to meet the goals set before him, but to exceed them in extraordinary ways.

TJ is an exceptional student whose intelligence, creativity, independence, and passion for learning continue to shine both inside and outside of the classroom. We are incredibly proud of all he has accomplished this year and look forward to watching him continue to grow and succeed.

Congratulations, TJ! Your success is well deserved, and your future is incredibly bright.

And just like that… the 2025–2026 school year at Peace Academy is officially a wrap.

What a year it has been.

A year filled with growth, discovery, creativity, confidence, laughter, hands-on learning, and unforgettable memories.

This year, we watched our students grow academically, socially, emotionally, and personally. We celebrated milestones, embraced challenges, explored new ideas, strengthened skills, and built a learning community rooted in peace, purpose, and possibility.

To our amazing students, thank you for showing up each day with curiosity, courage, and determination.

To our incredible families, thank you for trusting us, supporting us, and partnering with us throughout this journey.

And to everyone who poured into Peace Academy this year, thank you for helping us create a learning environment where students truly thrive.

This may be the end of the school year, but it’s only the beginning of even greater things to come.

A new kind of classroom.
A whole new Peace of Mind.

Today is an exceptionally special day for the Peace Academy family as we celebrate Elijah Dortch, son of Co-Founder Tara Dortch Jones, on his high school graduation!

This milestone is not only a reflection of Elijah’s hard work, dedication, and excellence, but also a beautiful testament to the love, guidance, and unwavering support of his mother. Watching Elijah grow into such an outstanding young man has been an honor, and today we proudly celebrate him graduating with special honors and stepping boldly into his next chapter.

Elijah, your future is incredibly bright, and we have no doubt that you will continue to accomplish amazing things in college and beyond. Your Peace Academy family is so proud of you, your achievements, your character, and the impact you are destined to make.

Please join us in congratulating Elijah and celebrating this unforgettable milestone!