Five Grades Up provides warm, one-on-one reading support that helps children go from frustrated and overwhelmed to proud, confident readers—while keeping parents in the loop every step of the way.
Trusted by families for patient, encouraging reading support that meets kids right where they are.
A simple, supportive process designed to help your child feel safe, seen, and excited about reading again.
We start with a friendly 20-minute call to learn about your child, their school experience, and your goals. Together, we decide if Five Grades Up is the right fit—no pressure and no jargon.
During the first session, we invite your child into simple, low-stress reading and word games. This helps us understand their current level—without ever making them feel tested or judged.
You’ll receive a clear, easy-to-understand plan with session frequency, focus areas, and home support ideas—so everyone knows how we’ll help your child feel proud of their reading again.
Reading is more than a school subject—it’s the foundation for how kids learn, explore, and express themselves. We focus on both skills and confidence, so progress feels exciting, not stressful.

“Our daughter went from hiding her reading log to bringing books to the dinner table. Five Grades Up changed how she sees herself as a learner.”
Five Grades Up combines research-backed reading strategies with a warm, encouraging environment kids actually look forward to.
experience teaching and tutoring early and struggling readers
supported in building stronger reading skills and self-belief
approach that includes regular updates, home ideas, and encouragement
Five Grades Up was created to be the calm, encouraging space so many families wish existed when reading starts to feel hard. We believe every child deserves to feel capable, curious, and proud when they pick up a book.
Instead of rushing kids through worksheets or pushing them to keep up with the class, we slow down, build trust, and celebrate the small wins that turn into big breakthroughs.
Every session is guided by a simple promise: treat children and families with patience, respect, and genuine care.
We move at your child’s pace, repeating concepts as many times as they need and celebrating every step forward.
We give specific, genuine praise that helps children notice their own effort and growth—not just their grades.
No two readers are the same. We customize every session around your child’s strengths, interests, and challenges.

Hi, I’m June Hawkes, the head tutor behind Five Grades Up—here to be in your child’s corner and yours.
I hold a Master’s degree from Columbia University and am a certified teacher with a deep passion for helping students become confident readers. For over 20 years, I’ve dedicated my career to patiently and carefully guiding students as they develop strong reading skills. I believe every child can become a capable reader when they receive the right support, structure, and encouragement.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to teach and inspire students in many different environments, including universities, technical colleges, high schools, and middle schools. I’ve also worked with professionals at Fortune 500 companies such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and Merrill Lynch. These experiences have strengthened my ability to meet learners where they are and help them make meaningful progress.
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is watching struggling readers transform into confident, motivated learners. Many of my students have advanced as much as five grade levels in reading after working with me for about seven months. Using my Reading Accelerator approach, I work closely with each student to build confidence, strengthen their skills, and help them achieve lasting reading success.
Five Grades Up offers one-on-one reading tutoring for elementary and middle school students, with flexible options for in-person or online sessions.
• Early readers (K–2)
• Developing readers (3–5)
• Support for middle school readers (6–8) who need extra practice or confidence
All sessions are one-on-one and built around your child’s specific needs, interests, and goals.
For kindergarten–2nd grade readers who are just beginning their reading journey. We focus on letter-sound knowledge, phonemic awareness, decoding, and making books feel fun and familiar.
For 3rd–5th grade readers who can sound out words but struggle with speed, expression, or understanding what they read. We build fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies using books they care about.
For students who need help keeping up with school reading, book reports, and content-heavy subjects. We break assignments into manageable steps and teach strategies they can use in every class.
Your consultation is a relaxed, parent-focused conversation (kids are welcome to pop in and say hi, but they don’t need to attend). We’ll:
You’ll leave the call with a clear next step—even if that next step is deciding to pause or pursue a different type of support.
Share a few details about your child and your schedule. I’ll follow up within one business day with consultation times.
Still unsure if tutoring is right for your child? These answers may help.
Most families start with one or two 50–60 minute sessions per week, depending on your child’s needs and schedule. We’ll discuss a recommended frequency during your consultation and adjust over time as your child grows more confident.
Yes. I offer both in-person (where available) and online sessions via a secure video platform. Online sessions include interactive tools so kids can read, write, and play literacy games on screen just like they would at a table.
Every child is different, but many families notice small shifts in confidence and attitude within a few weeks. Skill growth usually becomes clearer over 2–3 months as we build consistent habits and track progress together.
Absolutely—with your permission, I’m happy to connect with your child’s teacher or support team to align goals, share strategies, and make sure we’re all working in the same direction.
Warm, one-on-one reading support that helps kids feel capable, confident, and proud of how far they’ve come.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (555) 123-4567
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