Lifeline Education Charter School reaches 78% third-grade reading proficiency — more than triple the predicted rate — with the CAPIT Reading curriculum. To celebrate, local Compton business Via Trading donated hundreds of toys to the students.
COMPTON, Calif. — Lifeline Education Charter School is proud to announce a milestone that defies the odds: 78.1% of its third graders are now proficient readers — more than three times the 23.6% rate statistically predicted for a school where 95.8% of students live in poverty. The achievement earned Lifeline national recognition in The 74 Million's report on the top schools in each state beating the odds in third-grade reading.
For the educators and families of Lifeline, the number represents years of dedication, consistency, and an unwavering belief in what their students can accomplish.
"Poverty presents challenges, absolutely — but it does not define what students are capable of achieving," said Jillian Smith, Principal of Lifeline Education Charter School. "What matters most is access to strong instruction, high expectations, dedicated educators, and consistency. Our results show that with the right systems and commitment, high levels of achievement are absolutely possible in high-poverty schools."
A Schoolwide Commitment
Lifeline credits its success to a structured, explicit approach to reading instruction — the Sound-to-Print method at the heart of the CAPIT Reading curriculum — implemented consistently in every classroom, every day, and supported by ongoing professional learning, coaching, and collaboration among teachers.
"Our teachers didn't just implement CAPIT Reading — they invested in it," Smith said. "They built strong routines, used the data to drive instruction, and stayed focused on foundational skills every single day. When students got stuck, it became an opportunity to problem-solve together, not a setback. That collective effort is the heart of what we accomplished."
The transformation has been visible not only in test scores, but in the students themselves. "After our students began experiencing success, you could see a shift," Smith added. "They carried themselves with more confidence and were more eager to engage — not just in reading, but across their learning. They began to see themselves as capable readers."
A Celebration the Students Will Never Forget
To honor the students' hard work, the team at CAPIT Learning arranged a special surprise. Through their friendship with the owner of Via Trading — a respected wholesale liquidation company located just two miles from the school in Compton — CAPIT helped bring hundreds of donated toys to Lifeline's students.
The generous donation from Via Trading turned an academic milestone into a joyful, schoolwide celebration, filling classrooms with excitement and giving students a tangible reward for their achievement.
"We're thrilled to celebrate this incredible accomplishment with the students of Lifeline," said Mike Stambouli, Business Development Manager at Via Trading. "These kids worked hard, and their teachers worked even harder. As a Compton business, it means the world to us to be part of this moment and to put a smile on the face of every student. They earned it, and we couldn't be prouder to celebrate them."
"We are deeply grateful to Via Trading for their extraordinary generosity," said Smith. "Their gift reminded our students that an entire community is celebrating and believing in them. It was a beautiful moment we will never forget."
Via Trading, one of Los Angeles's fastest-growing companies and a longtime supporter of community outreach, has a strong record of giving back to the neighborhoods it serves. Their kindness made Lifeline's celebration possible.
Looking Ahead
Lifeline's achievement stands as proof that demographics are not destiny — and that with the right method, the right support, and an unrelenting commitment from teachers, every child can learn to read.
"The results we produced aren't meant to be exceptional," Smith said. "With this approach, they can become the norm. We hope our story inspires other schools to believe the same is possible for their students."
About Lifeline Education Charter School Lifeline Education Charter School serves students in Compton, California, with a mission to provide a high-quality education that prepares every child for lifelong success. Through dedicated educators and a commitment to strong foundational instruction, Lifeline is proving that all students can achieve at high levels, regardless of circumstance. Learn more at lifelinecharterschool.com.
About CAPIT Reading CAPIT Reading is a Sound-to-Print literacy curriculum for PreK through Grade 5, built on the Linguistic Phonics methodology and aligned to the Science of Reading. Validated by Johns Hopkins University and trusted by hundreds of schools nationwide, CAPIT keeps teachers at the center of instruction while making English logical and decodable for every learner. Learn more at capitlearning.com.
About Via Trading Via Trading is a leading wholesale merchandise liquidation company based in the Los Angeles area. Recognized among the fastest-growing companies in Los Angeles and the United States, Via Trading is committed to supporting the communities it serves through ongoing charitable outreach.
Media contacts: Steven Wimberly Jr., Lifeline Education Charter School, s.wimberly@lifelinecharterschool.com · Tzippy Rav-Noy, CAPIT Learning, tzippy@capitlearning.com · Mike Stambouli, Via Trading, mike@viatrading.com
