A new K–2 literacy curriculum for homeschool kids
Reading is just
the beginning
All images from StoryWorld.
Award-Winning Early Literacy Program
Tools Competition Winner
3× R&D Awards
U.S. Department of Education
NewSchools Challenge Winner
ASU+GSV Elite 200 Selection
Recognition for StoryWorld’s existing platform and literacy research. Explore the evidence.
Two Digital Promise certifications
Research-Based Design · Learner Variability
Earned in 2020 · See the certifications →See award details
Supes’ Choice · 2021
STORYWORLD International won the Literacy Instructional Solution category in the inaugural Supes’ Choice Awards, judged by school superintendents. “#1” refers to this award category and year. The organizer’s announcement does not report the number of judges or votes received by StoryWorld. Read the award announcement.
U.S. Department of Education · 2017, 2018, 2024
Three ED/IES SBIR awards supported StoryWorld’s research and development: 2017: $149,969, 2018: $900,000, and 2024: $250,000. Combined funding totals $1,299,969. These are development awards, not government endorsement of the homeschool offer.
Tools Competition · 2023
The official winner entry names StoryWorld’s literacy testing project READ-Y, now named R.E.A.L. Placement Test. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supported the competition alongside Schmidt Futures and other partners, as described in its 2023 announcement.
NewSchools Venture Fund · 2016
Storyworld was one of 13 winners of the NewSchools Ignite English Language Learning Challenge. Read the challenge announcement.
ASU+GSV · 2020
The startup index lists Storyworld International in the 2020 cohort. The 2020 GSV Cup description explains selection of the Elite 200 to compete. This recognition is a selection, not an overall GSV Cup win.
Digital Promise · Two Certifications Earned in 2020
Research-Based Design: StoryWorld submitted evidence connecting research on how students learn to its product design. Digital Promise named StoryWorld in its August 2020 certification announcement (PDF).
Learner Variability: StoryWorld was among the first 15 products certified for features that support learners’ different needs. See Digital Promise’s October 2020 certification announcement (PDF).
A story to look forward to each week. Read to discover what happens, return to understand it more deeply, and write about the ideas you discover.
Homeschool Literacy Anchored in Story-Based Teaching
StoryWorld IllustrationAnimal friendsMulticultural stories
Beautifully illustrated tales from around the world.
StoryWorld NaturePenguin familyNonfiction narratives
Stories that spark curiosity about nature.
A StoryWorld StoryThe Ant and the GrasshopperStories to think about
Timeless tales that help us explore choices and consequences.
Bonus: All stories are fully bilingual.
A Week with StoryWorld
Start with a phonics skill. Practice it in a mini-story, then explore a main story.
Weekly plan
Teaching steps
Phonics lesson
The long “oo” sound
Mini-story
Goose on the Roof
Main story
At the Zoo
Printable activity
Resource example
Digital practice
Optional support
All resources are available online and offline, with printable materials for each week’s lessons. Examples shown; printed lesson packs are a separate subscription, coming soon.
A Phonics Anchor with Every Lesson
One main story per week. Approximately 30–45 minutes per lesson.
- Monday
Build a new skill
Start the week with a new phonics sound or spelling pattern.
- Tuesday
Practice with a mini-story
Read a fun mini-story that puts the new phonics skill into practice.
- Wednesday
Connect it to a real story
Build vocabulary and listening skills. Read and ask questions to understand the story.
- Thursday
Expand through speaking and writing
Revisit the story. Talk, write, and create to deepen understanding.
- Friday
Review and reinforce
Show what you know. Try optional games for more phonics practice.
Printed and ready to teach.
Coming soon
Your week of stories, teaching tips and activities.
Delivered to your door.
Phonics book
Mini-story
Main StoryWorld story
An optional printed lesson-pack subscription, with one lesson per week. Digital materials are always included with your StoryWorld program.
What comes in a pack?
Each lesson pack includes a teaching guide with tips, a phonics book, a mini-story, the main StoryWorld story and all worksheets printed.
Start with two weeks of materials, then receive weekly deliveries. A monthly shipment option is also available.
Keep the books and reuse them with siblings. Replacement worksheets are already available to print from the platform.
Waitlist preview only. Sign-up is not open yet.
We Support You and Your Child Every Step of the Way
Start with a free 10-minute introduction. We explain the R.E.A.L. Placement Test and check whether it fits your child’s reading stage.
Free placement test
R.E.A.L. stands for Real-time Early Assessment of Literacy. It checks reading skills from sounds in words to reading aloud and understanding a story. See what the R.E.A.L. Placement Test checks.
Free personal plan
A StoryWorld expert reviews the results and recommends what to teach next. Your first child’s test and plan are free. No purchase required.
Onboarding and guidance
If you join, we help you get started. Follow step-by-step lessons with no prep required.
Support to stay on track
Both plans include webinars and monthly office hours. Premium adds weekly personal feedback and a monthly parent meeting.
Choose Your Child’s Stage
Customized K–2 plans for each child and each grade.
“They loved it, they really did! I would call them my magic books.”
Your Child’s Progress Is Personal to Us
We’re Cynthia and Michael Barbera. StoryWorld is personal to us. We want your child to grow as a reader and writer. We want you to feel confident teaching them.
Cynthia brings her experience as a teacher and an education technology leader at Scholastic. Together, we turn that experience into stories children want to read and guidance parents can use.
You have a program to follow and people to turn to. Our K–2 plans give you weekly teaching steps and materials. Choose Standard for general guidance or Premium for personal feedback on your child’s work.
Cynthia & Michael
Cynthia’s education background · How StoryWorld was developedChoose your StoryWorld
Digital learning for your family. Choose the help that fits.
From $79/month
Or pay $795 upfront and get a free book.Monthly: 12-month commitment · $948 total for Core.
Platform access for up to six children.
Your first child’s R.E.A.L. Placement Test and personal plan are free before you join. No purchase required. Additional children’s tests and plans: $149.99 each.
Both support levels include onboarding, webinars and monthly office hours.
Compare support levels
Core includes the digital curriculum, weekly teaching plans and platform progress tracking. Both support levels include onboarding, webinars and monthly office hours. Choose Personal guidance for weekly work review and a private monthly parent meeting.
Six-child access covers the platform. Personal guidance coverage is confirmed separately before enrollment.
About the tutoring comparison
Science of Reading tutoring averages $113.06/hour. Study
Questions Parents Ask
Does StoryWorld teach phonics?
Yes. Each week introduces a sound or spelling pattern, practices it in a mini-story, and connects it to a main story. See the weekly lessons.
Can we limit screen time?
Yes. All resources are available online or offline. Print each week’s stories and activities for screen-free learning. Audio and games are optional. Printed-book delivery is separate.
How much preparation and time do I need?
No prep is required. Weekly lessons are ready to go and take approximately 30–45 minutes. You guide your child through the activities.
What if my child gets stuck?
Start with the R.E.A.L. Placement Test and a personal plan. Both plans include onboarding, webinars, and monthly office hours. Premium adds weekly feedback and a monthly parent meeting. Ask us about your child’s needs.
What evidence supports StoryWorld?
WestEd research studied the existing school platform. It does not establish outcomes for this new homeschool curriculum. Read the research and its limits.
Can we cancel or get a refund?
The displayed prices cover an annual plan, with installments offered as payment options. Final cancellation and refund terms are not yet available. Enrollment remains a preview; review those terms before making a paid commitment.
What is free?
The introduction and your first child’s R.E.A.L. Placement Test and personal plan are free before you join. No purchase required.
Does each child receive a personal test and plan?
The first child’s test and plan are free. Each additional child’s placement test, personal plan, and StoryWorld placement costs $149.99. Platform access covers up to six children.
Can we check progress later?
A repeat R.E.A.L. Placement Test and personal plan update costs $49 per child after their initial test and plan. These are optional and separate from included platform progress tracking.
Do we have to enroll?
No. Use your personal plan with StoryWorld or your current curriculum. Paid enrollment is your choice.