:: Sponsored by: IDEA Public Schools ::

On May 15th, IDEA Public Schools hosted its annual Royal Reader celebration in Austin to commemorate IDEA scholars and their amazing reading achievement. Becoming a Royal Reader is no small feat. To achieve Royal Reader status, students must read more than one million words throughout the year—that’s nearly the entire Harry Potter series combined! This word count is kept track in IDEA’s Accelerated Reader Zone—but that’s not all.  Students test on each book they read, and must maintain a cumulative, eighty-five percent accuracy to become a Royal Reader.

IDEA Royal Readers gathered in the UT Alumni Center to celebrate their accomplishments and commitment to literacy, alongside IDEA leaders. More than 150 scholars from IDEA Allan, IDEA Bluff Springs and IDEA Rundberg took part in the extravaganza.

IDEA public schools

Anthony Jordan Henderson, a 4th grader at IDEA Allan Academy, arrived at the ceremony in a limo and dressed in formal attire, like his fellow classmates. Regarding the event, Anthony said: “It’s very rewarding to have become a Royal Reader. It’s my first time, and it just feels so good to have read one million, one hundred thousand and seventy-nine words this year.” When asked about why reading matters so much, Anthony stated proudly: “It will help me find a great job. It will take me places I’ve never been.”  

Speaking of places, IDEA Royal Readers got to venture to the mystical Isle of Berk, the world of the acclaimed best-selling book and film series How to Train Your Dragon, whose author, Cressida Cowell, spoke to readers and also signed copies of her newest installment in the series.  Every IDEA Royal Reader was awarded a copy of How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury, book twelve in the saga, to take home.

IDEA public schools

“You all can be author’s too,” Cowell told the audience of wide-eyed IDEA scholars, who were enchanted by the London, England native who wrote and illustrated all of her books. 

Other fun happenings at the Royal Readers celebrations included a book swap, plenty of dancing, Hors d’oeuvre, singalongs, bookmark making, mural coloring, and a “Knight Your Neighbor” activity, in which students congratulated each other with medals. It was a momentous occasion for students and staff alike, as the IDEA Team & Family celebrated our students’ accomplishments and reflected upon the magic of reading. 

Your child can become a Royal Reader, too. Enroll today and start the magical reading journey at IDEA Public Schools.    

Want to know more about IDEA Public Schools?

We’d love to hear from you and answer any questions! There’s lots of ways to get in touch. We look forward to talking to you.

Visit our website: www.ideapublicschools.org
Visit a school: http://ideapublicschools.org/contact-us
Call us: 1 (956) 377-8000
Email us: [email protected]
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