THE ACADEMIC Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program is showing promising results, as several public schools report a significant increase in students’ reading proficiency and grade-level readiness midway through the 2025–2026 school year.

Preliminary data from the Department of Education’s Middle of School Year (MOSY) assessments highlight the country’s “Most Improved Schools,” recognizing institutions that achieved notable gains in student performance across multiple regions.

These improvements were determined by comparing results from the Beginning of School Year (BOSY) assessments with MOSY outcomes, showcasing schools that successfully advanced learners from emerging or low proficiency levels to grade-ready status.

Implemented under Republic Act No. 12028, the ARAL Program aims to close learning gaps in K–10 students, particularly in reading, mathematics, and science. It provides free interventions, tutorials, and learning materials to help students recover from disruptions caused by the pandemic and other challenges. The program was also a key initiative of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2).

Among Key Stage 1 schools (Grades 1–3), Malanday Elementary School in Marikina City posted the largest gains. Students classified as Developing, Transitioning, and Grade-Level Ready rose from 57.26 percent at the start of the school year to 94.03 percent by midyear, marking a 36.77-point increase.

Don Gregorio Evangelista Memorial School in Zamboanga City also improved by 19.06 percent, while Mamatid Elementary in Cabuyao City and Juan Sumulong Elementary in Antipolo City, both in Region IV-A, ranked among the top-performing institutions.

For Key Stage 2 (Grades 4–6), Melencio M. Castelo Elementary in Quezon City achieved 100 percent in the “Total Grade-Ready plus Two Levels Down” category, reflecting roughly a 30 percent improvement from the start of the year.

In Key Stage 3 (Grades 7–10), San Jose National High School in Antipolo City improved readiness by 38.30 percent, moving from 61.70 percent at BOSY to full readiness at MOSY. Tanza National Comprehensive High School in Cavite posted the highest percentage growth in this stage, with a 42.85-point increase.