How can you change a child's future?

Waterford.org partners with families, districts, educators, and communities to help every child build the skills they need to succeed in school and in life.

Sponsor a child today

At Home: School Readiness

Access to the highest form of academic and family support to prepare four-year-olds for school at no cost to families.

Parents, Learn More

In School: PreK-6 Solutions

Instructional software that guides students from
“Learning to Read” to “Reading to Learn” in a single
platform while supporting teachers, students, and parents.

Educators, learn more

A Lack of Equity and Access

Every year, millions of children walk into their first day of school unprepared to learn, and at no fault of their own. Those who start behind tend to fall further and further behind over the years, which can lead to drop out, trouble with the law, and generational poverty.

An Answer of Hope

Waterford UPSTART teaches children the skills they need to be prepared for kindergarten, and it’s available at NO COST to the families. And it works! Low-income or affluent, rural or urban, children who get their academic start with Waterford UPSTART begin on the path toward success.

Did you know 2.2 million children do not have access to public-funded early education?

That’s nearly half of America’s 4-year-olds, and more than 50% of low-income preschool-age children have no early education option.

THE OUTCOMES ARE TROUBLING

Children who start school without basic skills are:

More likely to drop out
from school

More likely to become
teen parents

Less likely to
attend college

BUT THERE’S HOPE

Waterford UPSTART’s award-winning, at-home program teaches children the skills they need to be ready for kindergarten. Waterford UPSTART is flexible, scalable, and ¼ the cost of traditional preschool options with NO COST to participating families.

  • Improves child cognitive outcomes
  • Empowers parents as their child’s first teacher
  • Engages the whole family

Waterford UPSTART Works for All Children

Children show significant and lasting literacy gains through the 3rd grade.

Children show significant and lasting literacy gains through the 3rd grade.

SUPPORT A CHILD

Waterford UPSTART Children Outperform State Literacy Test Score Averages

Children who use Waterford software
outperform nearly 80% of non-users.

What does Waterford UPSTART do for families?

94%

94% of parents felt they were better prepared to support their child’s education

97%

97% of parents said they became more aware of what their child needs to learn

99%

99% of parents would recommend Waterford UPSTART to friends and family

99% of parents felt Waterford UPSTART
helped prepare their child for kindergarten.

Waterford UPSTART Across the Country

How can you change a child's life today?
Help us provide access to education, so a child can succeed in school.

SUPPORT A CHILD

The average Waterford UPSTART graduate enters kindergarten reading at nearly a first-grade level.

Academic gains continue through the 4th-grade, especially among at-risk populations.

Waterford users outperform 80% of non-Waterford users.

“I don't want the street to suck him up. I worked very hard to try to get him into the right school. I applied to three different private schools. He got accepted to all three, and I had to pick one. I think he’s beyond ready for next year.”
—Kimberly Johnson, mother of 5-year-old Kingston
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“I remember school when I was her age. It was a whole lot different, a lot more laid back. Now there are tests that you have to take to even get out of certain grades. You have to be able to read before you go to kindergarten. She’s already there.”
—Crystal Cooper, mother of 4-year-old Mikyla
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“Education is a big thing for us. It needs to be a big thing for everyone because you need the tools to achieve in life … There’s so much in life we can be and do. Anything is achievable if you love it.”
—Theresa Meggett, mother of 4-year-old Tella Simone
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“Waterford UPSTART was a guidance for her that I couldn't provide. I could tell her what that letter or that word is. But it was just the way Waterford UPSTART made it adventurous for her. It was encouraging her, teaching her how to focus. She's ready [for kindergarten]. She’s ready.”
—Rhonda Flippen, grandmother of 5-year-old Neesha
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“Reading is unlocking a whole new world for Derek. He’s understanding that the words have meaning behind them, and it’s allowing him to explore different things. He’s really looking and comprehending what he sees. He’s ready for big school. He’s ready to go.”
—Yolanda Lowe, mother of 5-year-old Derek
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