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Best centers for reading help in the Chicagoland area: A parent's guide
- Traci Tague
- Jan 14
- 4 min read
Finding the right support when your child struggles with reading
If you're looking for reading help in the Chicagoland area, you're probably worried about your child. Maybe they're falling behind in class, avoiding books, or getting frustrated every time they try to read. You want to find something that actually works.
The good news? Chicagoland has plenty of options for reading support. The challenge? Figuring out which type of help your child actually needs. Not all reading programs are the same, and what works for one child might not work for another.
This guide breaks down some of the most popular reading centers in the area and helps you understand what each one offers.
Understanding your options in Chicagoland
Locations: Lincoln Park and surrounding Chicagoland communities
Ravinia Reading Center works specifically with kids who have dyslexia and other language-based reading challenges. Instead of general tutoring, they focus on intensive reading intervention.
What makes them different:
Every session is taught by a certified speech-language pathologist
They use methods backed by reading science research
Each lesson is customized to your child (not a one-size-fits-all program)
They dig into why your child struggles, not just practice reading over and over
They coordinate with your child's school and other professionals
Best fit for: Kids who haven't made progress with regular tutoring, show possible signs of dyslexia, or need structured, intensive help.
Redwood provides specialized tutoring for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
What they offer:
Teaching methods based on research
Both in-person and online sessions
Personalized instruction for each student
Best fit for: Families who want specialized tutoring with flexible scheduling options.
Chicago Home Tutor matches families with certified teachers who come to your home.
What they offer:
One-on-one instruction
Teachers with current teaching certifications
Help with building skills and confidence
Best fit for: Kids who need general reading support or help catching up with classroom work.
Offers personalized tutoring in reading and math with several formats:
Private one-on-one tutoring
Small learning groups
Programs based on proven teaching methods
Best fit for: Families looking for flexible tutoring arrangements and academic enrichment.
A nonprofit that provides free one-on-one tutoring through trained volunteers in schools across North Chicago and nearby suburbs.
What they offer:
Tutoring that happens during the school day
Community volunteers working with students
Focus on reading fluency and understanding
Best fit for: Extra literacy support in participating school districts.
Other helpful resources
Great for access to books, reading events, and family literacy activities. Perfect for encouraging a love of reading at home.
Primarily helps adults improve their reading and offers family education programs.
These resources are wonderful for building reading habits and exposure, but they may not address deeper reading difficulties.
How do you know what your child needs?
Before choosing a program, think about these questions:
About your child's struggles:
Is your child having trouble with the mechanics of reading (sounding out words, reading smoothly, spelling)?
Or is it more about confidence and willingness to read?
About what you've tried:
Has regular tutoring helped, or has your child hit a wall?
Does your child keep making the same mistakes despite lots of practice?
About potential learning differences:
Does your child show signs of dyslexia (like mixing up letters, trouble with rhyming, inconsistent spelling)?
Have teachers or specialists mentioned concerns?
About the program:
Does the center use teaching methods backed by research?
Who will actually be working with your child - a tutor, a teacher, or a specialized therapist?
Your answers to these questions will point you toward the right type of support.
When your child might need more than tutoring
Many parents start with tutoring, and that makes sense. But sometimes kids need something different. Watch for these signs:
Reading struggles continue even after months of tutoring
Your child guesses at words instead of sounding them out
Spelling stays all over the place
Reading causes tears, anxiety, or arguments
You suspect (or know) your child has dyslexia
If you're seeing these patterns, working with a speech-language pathologist who specializes in reading might be the missing piece.
Why some families choose Ravinia Reading Center
Many families come to Ravinia after trying other options first. They often say they wish they'd known about specialized reading intervention earlier.
What parents appreciate:
The teaching is clinical and precise, not generic
Every lesson is tailored to what their child needs that day
The approach is structured, intensive, and based on reading science
Their kids finally "get it" and start feeling successful
The goal isn't just better reading scores. It's helping kids understand how reading actually works so they can become confident, independent readers.
What's next?
If you're still trying to figure out what kind of reading help your child needs, you don't have to decide alone. Speak with a speech-language pathologist at Ravinia Reading Center. You'll get clarity on what your child needs and whether specialized reading intervention is the right path forward.