By Dr. Regina McDuffie

Over the Thanksgiving break, I indulged in one of my favorite pastimes: reading. My week started with the glossy pages of Vogue and Vanity Fair, progressed to the novel Central Park West by James Comey—a surprisingly engaging and easy read—and ended with an article in The Atlantic that truly captivated me. Titled "The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books," the piece by Rose Horowitch sparked thoughts that I couldn’t help but share.

The article discussed a disturbing trend in education: college students struggling to read full texts. The author interviewed 33 professors who noted that their students often lacked the stamina or skill to engage deeply with entire books. This troubling development seems to stem from a shift in K–12 education over the past two decades, where the focus has been on short excerpts to prepare students for standardized tests rather than the comprehensive experience of reading full texts.

Thankfully, this is not the reality at The Pegasus School. Here, we celebrate the art and joy of reading full books. From the early grades to the culminating eighth-grade English experience in the Den of Scholars with English teacher Nancy Wilder, Pegasus students are steeped in literature that challenges their intellect, stretches their imagination, and strengthens their comprehension. In our new Osgood Family Library, students discover the value of engaging with full texts. They practice critical reading skills, such as tracing character development, analyzing themes, and grappling with complex narratives. These skills are honed not only for academic success but for life.

As I am currently coaching upper elementary grade students on the book Pharmacy Girl for the upcoming Battle of the Books competition, I’ve seen firsthand how reading full texts excites and inspires our students. Just this year, 65 of our fourth- and fifth-grade students voluntarily read over 20 books each in order to participate in this competition.   

At Pegasus, we understand that preparing students for the future involves equipping them with the ability to comprehend a variety of media—books, podcasts, videos, and more. But we remain steadfast in our belief that full-length books are foundational. The act of reading a book from cover to cover allows students to follow the full arc of a character, understand the growth and development of the characters, and develop the stamina to keep reading and stay with the text as it unfolds. 

So, is reading whole books a relic of another time? I think not. Pegasus graduates, seasoned readers who have tackled dozens of full-length books, would undoubtedly stand out in a college classroom. They would proudly tell their professors about their experiences in our program, where reading deeply and thinking critically are cornerstones of their education.

As a school community, let’s continue to champion the timeless value of reading books, ensuring that our students are prepared not just for school, but for life.