Colt PLUS Program Recognized by Monmouth County Commissioner

In recognition of Dyslexia Awareness Month, Christian Brothers Academy's Colt PLUS Program was given a special recognition by the Monmouth County Commissioner's Office.

Colt PLUS Director Amanda Colannino visited the Commissioner's Office and was presented with a certificate of recognition.

Colt PLUS introduced the Wilson Reading Program this year, aimed to help students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Wilson is a structured, multisensory approach to reading instruction that focuses on the foundational skills necessary for reading fluency and comprehension.

Students in the Wilson Program take a course as an elective in their daily schedule, ultimately meeting with a level one or level two certified Wilson teacher for nearly five hours per week.

"Because students are supported by a certified Wilson reading teacher, students are on track for strong reading growth and academic achievement," Colannino said. "With this level of individualized instruction, the students are expected to continue making steady and measurable progress."

In addition to Wilson, the Colt PLUS Program offers two additional avenues for success. The St. Benilde Program incorporates research-based reading and writing strategies for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. The Foundations of Language class is offered as a supplemental English class for juniors.

"The Colts PLUS program is so welcoming, with so many people willing to help us get better," Matthew Stano '29 said. "The one-on-one academic reading is really going well. I feel that I'm starting to read more fluently and never feel rushed or nervous about this class."

Nearly 45 students are supported within Colt PLUS by one of these three offerings. 

"The Colt PLUS Program has helped me so much over the past three years," Donato Blasucci '27 said. "It has taught me how to study, prepare for tests, and write my essays. It has changed me, making me a better student and a better person."

Now in its seventh year, the Colt PLUS Program is designed for highly-motivated students with the cognitive ability to adhere to a college preparatory curriculum, but have educational needs that can make it difficult for them to achieve their potential without support.

More information on the totality of the Colt PLUS Program can be found here.