Teaching Young Readers

About Mustard Seed Reading Acdemy

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In January 2025, God called Caroline Davis to establish the Mustard Seed Reading Academy, a vital initiative aimed at addressing literacy challenges among young learners. With over 28 years of experience in education, Caroline is a retired educator whose diverse background encompasses both classroom teaching and leadership roles. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science and Early Childhood Education from Winthrop University, along with a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of South Carolina. The urgency of this initiative is underscored by alarming statistics: if children are not reading at grade level by the end of fourth grade, they face a staggering 78% chance of never catching up. In downtown Seneca, South Carolina, the situation is particularly dire, with 46% of fourth graders struggling with reading proficiency. Recognizing that two-thirds of these students are at risk of dropping out, the Mustard Seed Reading Academy stands as a beacon of hope in the community.here...

At Mustard Seed Reading Academy, we provide a safe and enriching environment for children after school. Each day from Monday to Friday, students are picked up from their school and brought to our academy site, where they can engage in fun and educational activities until 5:30 PM. We kindly ask parents to arrive promptly at 5:30 PM to pick up their children. Our schedule aligns with the Oconee County School District's holiday calendar, ensuring that we are in sync with school breaks. Additionally, we stay informed about any inclement weather announcements, prioritizing the safety and well-being of our students. We look forward to fostering a love for reading and learning in your children at Mustard Seed Reading Academy!

Learning Moments

Celebrating our students' progress in reading and comprehension skills.

Two young children are sitting on a textured blue rug, playing with colorful letter blocks. An adult's hand is arranging some of the blocks, engaging with the children. The children appear to be focused on the activity, and the scene is well-lit with natural light.
Two young children are sitting on a textured blue rug, playing with colorful letter blocks. An adult's hand is arranging some of the blocks, engaging with the children. The children appear to be focused on the activity, and the scene is well-lit with natural light.
A child wearing a blue sweater and jeans is reading a book with closely spaced text while sitting on a dark patterned fabric sofa. The focus is on the open book held in the child's hands.
A child wearing a blue sweater and jeans is reading a book with closely spaced text while sitting on a dark patterned fabric sofa. The focus is on the open book held in the child's hands.
A child is sitting on a couch, engrossed in reading a colorful children's book. The child is wearing casual clothing and socks with a playful design. The room is softly lit with natural light creating a warm, cozy atmosphere.
A child is sitting on a couch, engrossed in reading a colorful children's book. The child is wearing casual clothing and socks with a playful design. The room is softly lit with natural light creating a warm, cozy atmosphere.
A group of children are gathered around a table engaged in an activity. One child is holding and showing a colorful book or comic to others, who are attentively looking at it. The room appears to be a classroom or a creative space with chairs and materials on the table.
A group of children are gathered around a table engaged in an activity. One child is holding and showing a colorful book or comic to others, who are attentively looking at it. The room appears to be a classroom or a creative space with chairs and materials on the table.
A group of young children is seated on small stools outdoors in an alleyway, attentively engaged with an adult woman standing nearby who appears to be teaching or talking to them. The scene is surrounded by various elements such as potted plants, a water cooler, parked motorcycles, and an arrangement of colorful items in the background. The children are wearing matching uniforms with white shirts and dark overalls.
A group of young children is seated on small stools outdoors in an alleyway, attentively engaged with an adult woman standing nearby who appears to be teaching or talking to them. The scene is surrounded by various elements such as potted plants, a water cooler, parked motorcycles, and an arrangement of colorful items in the background. The children are wearing matching uniforms with white shirts and dark overalls.
A young child wearing a face mask is reading a picture book while sitting on the floor. The child is seated comfortably against a cushion with a patterned backpack nearby. The setting is indoors, with a small bookshelf to the right containing various books.
A young child wearing a face mask is reading a picture book while sitting on the floor. The child is seated comfortably against a cushion with a patterned backpack nearby. The setting is indoors, with a small bookshelf to the right containing various books.