What Centre for Literacy does

Centre for Literacy is a privately-held Canadian educational services organization founded in 1991 and headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, with a second in-person location in St. Albert. It provides one-to-one remedial instruction in reading, comprehension, writing, and mathematics to students — primarily those with diagnosed learning disabilities, dyslexia, ADHD, executive function deficits, and other neurodevelopmental conditions — as well as support for students awaiting formal psycho-educational assessment. Instruction is delivered by approximately 55 part-time certified teachers (compensated at $24-$29/hour) using evidence-based methods grounded in the Science of Reading (via the licensed UFLI Foundations program plus Centre-developed structured literacy materials) and the Science of Math (with the Feifer Assessment of Math). Adjacent offerings include a proprietary Initial Literacy Assessment Tool, study skills classes, group-format Summer Boosts for Grades 2-6, professional development for educators, and a Centre Store selling educational resources and WordQ assistive technology.

The business operates on a direct-to-consumer, professional-services revenue model: parents contact the Centre by phone or email, complete intake and assessment, then purchase individual remediation sessions, with pricing quoted per session, per assessment, or per summer program. Distribution is omnichannel — in-person in Edmonton and St. Albert, and remote via Google Meet across Canada and to Canadians abroad following a COVID-19 pivot in 2020. GTM is referral-driven (psychologists, school systems, word-of-mouth, partner Clarity Kids psychology practice) supplemented by website, Facebook, and Instagram presence; there is no enterprise sales motion and no disclosed external funding. Notable B2G engagement includes a collaborative coaching/instruction project with the First Nations School Board in the Yukon.

Organizationally, the firm is led by Executive Director Lori Purvis and Director of Instructional Leadership Shani Reiter, supported by a senior management team of assessment, math, and literacy specialists, plus scheduling, accounting, and HR coordinators. The Centre has no subsidiaries, no M&A history, no patents or trademarks disclosed, and no AI/ML capability — its defensibility rests on a specialized teaching workforce, 35+ years of brand reputation in the learning-disabilities niche, and a content library of proprietary assessments and remediation materials.

Name

Centre for Literacy

Legal name

Centre for Literacy

Website

https://centre4literacy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centre for Literacy is a privately-held Edmonton-based educational services firm, founded in 1991, that delivers one-to-one remedial reading, writing, and math instruction to students with learning disabilities and related challenges using evidence-based, Science-of-Reading-aligned methods, serving clients across Canada via in-person and remote delivery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Tutoring Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Dyslexia & Structured Literacy (Orton-Gillingham) Tutoring (EDANAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Literacy & Reading Intervention (Phonics, Fluency, Comprehension) (EDAKADAA), Reading Intervention & Remediation (Decoding, Fluency, Comprehension) (EDAKAJAD), K–12 Remedial Reading & Literacy Intervention (EDANAJAA), Reading & Literacy Centers (Phonics, Comprehension, Writing) (EDANAHAD)

Keywords

• Literacy remediation services
• Structured literacy tutoring
• Math remediation instruction
• Learning disability support
• Teacher professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. One-to-One Remediation Sessions: Fees charged for individualized instruction sessions in reading, writing, and mathematics. Sessions are typically one hour in length, with 90-minute sessions available for older students. Revenue is service-based with families paying directly.
2. Assessment Services: Initial baseline assessments to understand student reading, writing, and/or math skills. Assessments are charged to parents/guardians and include debriefing with documentation.
3. Professional Development for Teachers: Virtual professional development sessions and courses for educators covering structured literacy, phonological awareness, phonics, comprehension, morphology, and executive functioning skills.
4. Summer Boost Programs: Group reading boost sessions offered during summer for students in Grades 2-6. Priced at $335-360 for 4 two-hour sessions plus pre-assessment and post-summary.
5. Study Skills Programs: Study skills classes offered as four one-to-one online sessions or self-guided courses covering time management, note-taking, and test preparation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Centre for Literacy provides one-to-one individualized remedial instruction in reading, comprehension, writing, and mathematics to students who struggle with learning difficulties, including those with diagnosed learning disabilities, dyslexia, ADHD, and executive function deficits. Instruction is delivered by certified teachers using evidence-based methods grounded in the Science of Reading and Science of Math, supported by proprietary assessment tools and the UFLI Foundations structured literacy curriculum.

Product overview

The Centre for Literacy is an educational service provider offering a portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offering is One-to-One Learning Support, providing individualized remedial instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics using evidence-based Structured Literacy and Science of Math approaches. This is supported by Assessments (Initial Literacy Assessment Tool and Feifer Assessment of Math) to identify gaps and monitor progress. The portfolio includes Study Skills Classes, Professional Development for Teachers, and Summer Boosts (group Reading Boosts for Grades 2-6). The Structured Literacy Program, informed by UFLI Foundations, underpins all literacy instruction. Services are delivered remotely across Canada and in-person in Edmonton and St. Albert.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• One-to-One Learning Support Individualized remedial instruction in reading, comprehension, writing, and mathematics for students with learning difficulties, delivered one-on-one by certified teachers using evidence-based methods rooted in the Science of Reading and Science of Math. Services are delivered remotely across Canada and in-person in Edmonton and St. Albert.
• Assessments Initial baseline assessments using the Centre's proprietary Initial Literacy Assessment Tool and Feifer Assessment of Math (FAM) to identify skill gaps in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, spelling, and mathematics. Includes debriefing with documentation to inform intervention plans and progress monitoring.
• Professional Development for Teachers Virtual professional development sessions and self-guided courses for educators covering structured literacy, phonological awareness, phonics, orthography, comprehension, morphology, and executive functioning skills. Available through c4lcourses.thinkific.com.
• Study Skills Classes Classes for junior high and high school students covering time management, study habits, note-taking, and test preparation. Available as four one-to-one online sessions or self-guided courses.
• Summer Boosts (Reading Boosts) In-person group reading camps for students entering Grades 2-3 and Grades 4-6. Sessions run for 4 days of 2 hours each, with maximum 6 children per class led by two certified teachers. Priced at $335 (before April 30, 2026) and $360 (after April 30, 2026).
• Centre Store Online store offering educational resources and games developed by the Centre for Literacy, particularly valuable for struggling learners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Evidence-based remediation produces measurable improvements in reading, writing, and math skills
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Clarity Kids PsychologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Summer Boosts program location. Clarity Kids (claritypsychology.ca) hosts in-person reading boost sessions at their Edmonton location. Collaborative relationship for serving children with learning challenges.
• First Nations School Board (Yukon)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJaime McLachlan coordinates a collaborative project with the First Nations School Board in the Yukon, providing coaching to literacy teachers and assistants and direct instruction to FNSB students. Co-leading math programming and supporting development of advanced literacy resources.
• University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI)coreTechnology or IntegrationLicensed use of UFLI Foundations program, an explicit and systematic curriculum for teaching foundational reading skills. The Centre follows the UFLI progression to teach phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding skills to struggling readers.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes: U.S.-based literacy intervention provider specializing in structured literacy for students with dyslexia and learning differences. Directly comparable to Centre for Literacy in its evidence-based remediation methodology, 1:1 instruction model, and focus on decoding/phonemic awareness.
• Tutor Doctor: Franchised 1:1 in-home and online tutoring service operating in Canada and globally. Comparable D2C parent-led model, in-person plus remote delivery, and individualized remediation across reading, writing, and math.
• Oxford Learning Centres: Canadian-franchised tutoring chain offering supplemental learning programs including reading, writing, and math. Highly comparable to Centre for Literacy in geography (Canada-wide), target market (school-aged students needing remediation), and service mix (1:1 tutoring, assessments, study skills).
• Scholars Education Centre: Canadian tutoring franchise providing individualized programs in reading, math, writing, and study skills to students across Canada. Closely mirrors Centre for Literacy's D2C parent-led intake model, remediation focus, and Canadian geographic footprint.

Emerging players

• Mathnasium: Math-only supplemental learning franchise with center-based delivery. Partial overlap with Centre for Literacy's math remediation progression; useful comparable for in-person group-format delivery economics, though narrower curriculum.

Others

• Wyzant: Online tutoring marketplace connecting families with independent tutors across subjects including reading and math. Indirect competitor for parent-paid remote tutoring demand; differs from Centre for Literacy via marketplace model rather than employed-teacher specialization.
• University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI): Content and curriculum licensor whose UFLI Foundations program is integrated into Centre for Literacy's structured literacy approach. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than competitor; relevant as a content partner and benchmark.

Broad incumbents

• Kumon: Global supplemental education franchise focused on math and reading worksheets. Adjacent comparison: similar center-based delivery and parent-paid fee model, but uses self-directed worksheets rather than the Centre's 1:1 structured literacy approach.
• Sylvan Learning: Large North American franchised tutoring network offering personalized learning in reading, writing, math, and study skills. Broader incumbent with wider curriculum but less specialization in dyslexia/structured literacy than Centre for Literacy.
• Huntington Learning Center: U.S.-based tutoring franchise providing individualized instruction, assessments, and test prep. Comparable to Centre for Literacy in offering assessments plus 1:1 remediation across reading and math, though broader and not specialized in dyslexia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CentreForLiteracy
• Instagraminstagram.com/centre4literacy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-for-literacy-canada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centre for Literacy