What Reviewers Say

The Barton Reading & Spelling System is consistently hailed as the 'gold standard' for homeschooling families dealing with dyslexia. Reviewers like Cathy Duffy and Marianne Sunderland highlight its extremely detailed, scripted manuals that allow parents with no teaching background to successfully implement complex Orton-Gillingham methods. However, two major trade-offs appear in almost every review: the high financial cost and the 'dry' nature of the curriculum. While users on Reddit and the Well-Trained Mind forums note that the repetitive, no-fluff approach is exactly what struggling readers need, they also acknowledge it can be a 'slog' for both parent and student. The high resale value of the physical kits is frequently mentioned as a way to recoup the substantial initial investment. Ultimately, it is praised for its efficacy where other programs fail, provided the parent can commit to the intensive one-on-one time required.

How It Works

The parent begins by watching a training video for each level and then sits with the child at a table using a scripted manual that dictates exactly what to say and do. Using color-coded tiles—either physical wooden blocks or a digital app—the child practices 'segmenting' or breaking words apart into individual sounds before spelling or reading them. A typical session lasts 30 to 60 minutes, during which the parent guides the child through multi-sensory activities like finger-tapping sounds and reading specifically designed phrases. Most families complete two to four sessions per week, moving through the ten levels at the student’s own pace rather than following a traditional school calendar.

Switching to This?

Before starting, parents must administer the free 'Student Screening' on the Barton website to ensure the child has the basic auditory processing skills needed to succeed; a 'Tutor Screening' for the parent is also required. Unlike other programs where you might skip levels based on grade, the community rule is to almost always start at Level 1, as it establishes foundational skills that even older struggling readers often lack. Families can transition to Barton at any time of year because the system is self-paced and does not follow a standard grade-level curriculum. Parents switching from a program that encourages 'guessing' from pictures should be prepared for a strict 'no-guessing' rule that requires students to sound out every word using the system's specific logic.

Curriculum Details

Price

$300 - $400

Pricing is per level (10 levels total). Each level typically costs between $300 and $400. High resale value is a common factor in the community.

Grades

K - 12

Available As

Print Digital Video Physical Manipulatives

Coverage

Single subject

Subjects

Reading/Language Arts

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Pacing

Self-paced

Parent Time

30-60 min/day

Parent Involvement

Minimal

Student Independence

Needs instruction

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Academic Level

Advanced

Worldview

Neutral

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

Compared to All About Reading, Barton is significantly more scripted and specialized for severe dyslexia, offering more 'hand-holding' for parents who feel overwhelmed by teaching complex phonics. While Logic of English is a popular comprehensive choice that includes grammar and handwriting, Barton focuses strictly on reading and spelling, making it a more 'laser-focused' intervention for students with significant processing gaps. When weighed against the Wilson Reading System, Barton is more accessible for homeschooling parents because it includes built-in video training and scripts designed specifically for non-professionals, whereas Wilson often requires expensive teacher certification to implement fully.

Getting Started