Skip to content The Reading University (RU) program at American Preparatory Academy fosters a lifelong love of reading and academic success. Values-based literature teaches character, resilience, and discernment, while informational texts connect students to history, science, art, music, and math.
Independent reading is central to RU because it builds vocabulary, the strongest predictor of academic achievement and college entrance exam success. Students read 30–60 minutes daily, moving from “learning to read” to “reading to learn,” and each quarter choose grade-level fiction and nonfiction titles from the RU list. By the end of ninth grade, every APA student will have independently read over 130 books, gaining a foundation for academic excellence, curiosity, and critical thinking.
Find the full RU book list online, or recommend a title for us to consider.
Reading University Online Database
Search the full RU book list by grade level.
Elementary Book Recommendation Form
Parents of elementary students can suggest a book to be added to the RU lists.
Secondary Book Recommendation Form
Parents of secondary students (grades 7–12) can suggest a book to be added to the RU lists.
