📚 Reading apps and reading coaches · 🧸 Early learning (ages 2-6) · 🏫 Classroom tools
Foundations A-Z
By Learning A-Z (LAZEL, Inc., a Cambium Learning Group company). Visit Foundations A-Z
Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.
A K-5 phonics and early-reading program for teachers, built around the science of reading. Teachers follow scripted lessons that move from simple sounds to harder spelling patterns, and give short unit tests. Children then practice on their own in a student portal by watching short teaching videos, playing practice games and reading books at their level while earning stars. Reports suggest what each child should review. It comes from the makers of Raz-Kids and is included in Raz-Plus.
Our take: A solid choice for K-5 teachers or homeschool families who want a structured phonics plan; parents of a child who already reads well will get little from it.
| Ages it suits | about 5-11 (grades K-5) |
|---|---|
| What its terms say about age | Terms are a license for a school, teacher or family account holder, who agrees to supervise and take full responsibility for use by children under 13. Children use logins issued by that adult. (terms) |
| Price | Paid. $248 a year for one classroom license (up to 36 students) on the online store; school and district quotes available; also included in Raz-Plus (USD, Oct 2026). |
| Works on | Web |
| Account | A school account |
| Ads | None |
| In-app purchases | None |
| The AI in it | No generative AI described; reports automatically recommend review activities from unit test results. |
What's good
- Clear, step-by-step phonics sequence for teachers
- Student practice mixes videos, games and decodable books
- No ads; clear limits on student data use
Watch for
- Teacher-led program; the student portal is practice, not a full course
- Paid license per classroom, renewed yearly
- Star rewards can push kids to rush through practice
Data and privacy
Schools or teachers share student names and logins; the service stores progress, test results and, in some reading features, student voice recordings used only for reading assessment and deleted under its retention rules. It says it does not sell student data or use it for targeted ads, and acts as a 'school official' under FERPA; nothing on AI training was found. Read the privacy policy.
Does it work?
The maker's own claims only: district case studies (for example China Spring ISD in Texas) and a research guide. No independent outcome study was found.
Alternatives to Foundations A-Z
Desk researchPaidNo ads
ABCmouse
Age of Learning, Inc. · ages about 2-6 (preschool to kindergarten)
A full preschool program for families who want one paid app; cancel carefully and watch the reward loop.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
ABCya
ABCya.com LLC (a division of IXL Learning) · ages about 4-12 (pre-K to grade 6+)
Handy for quick grade-level practice in class or at home; skip if you want an ad-free experience without paying.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Adventure Academy
Age of Learning, Inc. · ages grades 3-8 (about 8-13)
Good for kids who love online games and need a nudge toward school subjects; families wanting no social contact should set chat to off or choose a solo app.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Amazon Kids+ and Parent Dashboard
Amazon · ages 3-12
A good-value bundle for families already on Amazon devices with kids 3-12; skip it if your child mostly uses an iPad or a phone.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
AmblesideOnline
AmblesideOnline (volunteer advisory) · ages about 5-18 (Year 0 to Year 12)
A strong free plan for homeschool families drawn to Charlotte Mason and literature-rich learning; secular families or those wanting an interactive program should look elsewhere.
Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads
Amira Learning
Amira Learning · ages about 5-14 (school product; listed studies run from kindergarten to middle school)
Worth asking about if your child's school uses it; parents cannot buy it, so home users should look at family apps instead.
Where these facts come from
- https://www.learninga-z.com/
- https://www.learninga-z.com/site/products/foundationsa-z/overview
- https://help.learninga-z.com/en/articles/7216732-terms-of-service
- https://help.learninga-z.com/en/articles/7216595-privacy-policy
- https://accounts.learninga-z.com/accountsweb/sss/orderLogin.do?siteName=faz
Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.