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About

A bold new model for teaching and learning

Every child deserves to feel confident reading, and every teacher deserves the tools to help them get there.

The Roberts Academy at Ƶ was created through a once-in-a-lifetime investment from Hal and Marjorie Roberts whose vision is to give children with dyslexia the chance to thrive.

Rooted in Ƶ’s reputation for academic excellence and innovation in teaching, the Academy brings together world-class instruction, research, and family partnerships to create a model of learning that changes lives.

Our mission is simple: To help students become confident readers, and to prepare teachers who can help every child reach their potential.

Part of a National Network

Expanding opportunity through shared expertise

Ƶ joins a distinguished network of Roberts Academies at Florida Southern College, Mercer University, and Vanderbilt University. Together, these academies share best practices, research, and resources to expand access to structured literacy education across the Southeast and  beyond. This collaboration ensures every Roberts Academy uses proven practices and shares innovations that accelerate literacy success.

Each Roberts Academy is grounded in the belief that every child can learn to read when taught in the way they learn best.

A teacher and student work together using flashcards in a reading classroom. The teacher listens attentively as the student reads a word card, with colorful “READ” letters and books visible in the background.

What We Believe

Driven by compassion, strengthened by evidence

  • Every child learns best when teaching is personalized and evidence-based.
  • Families are essential partners in the learning journey.
  • Empowered teachers make lasting change.
  • Collaboration strengthens communities and multiplies impact.

At Ƶ, these values come to life through a school community built on compassion, belonging, and a shared commitment to every child’s success.

A Transformative Gift:
Inspiring a Legacy of Opportunity and Hope

Portrait of Hal and Marjorie Roberts

Marjorie and Hal Roberts

Marjorie and Hal Roberts are passionate advocates for children and education whose generosity has created new opportunities for students with dyslexia to reach their full potential. Their vision for the Roberts Academy network began with a simple belief — that every child deserves to experience the confidence and joy that come from learning to read.

Through their leadership and philanthropy, the Roberts family has helped establish academies at Florida Southern College, Mercer University, Vanderbilt University, and now Ƶ — each dedicated to transforming lives through evidence-based literacy instruction and compassionate teaching.

This is an investment in changing the trajectory of children, schools, teachers and communities for generations.

Learn More About the Roberts Academy

Interested in the Roberts Academy at Ƶ? Complete our brief inquiry form to receive more information about our mission, upcoming events, and our Fall 2026 opening.

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Roberts Academy Leadership

Photo of Alicia S. Tate

Dr. Alicia S. Tate

Assistant Professor of Education & Acting Director of the Roberts Academy

Dr. Alicia Tate brings more than 30 years of leadership in special education to her role as Acting Director of the Roberts Academy. A faculty member in Ƶ’s Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, she has devoted her career to ensuring that every child, especially those with learning differences, has access to high-quality, evidence-based instruction.

Before joining Ƶ, Dr. Tate served as Exceptional Children Executive Director in several North Carolina school districts, including Guilford County, Chapel Hill-Carrboro, and Iredell-Statesville. She led programs supporting up to 12,000 students, directed large teams of educators, and advanced district-wide initiatives focused on literacy, inclusion, and student success.

She also served as Director of Leadership Services for the national nonprofit TregoED, where she advised school systems on collaborative problem-solving and effective decision-making in special education.

Dr. Tate’s teaching and leadership are grounded in the Science of Reading. She is a passionate advocate for structured literacy approaches, including Orton-Gillingham and Direct Instruction, and has trained countless educators to help students with dyslexia become confident, capable readers.

Dr. Tate holds a Ph.D. in Specialized Education Services from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is a National Board Certified Teacher in Exceptional Needs. She presents regularly at national and state conferences and teaches courses in special education law, data collection, and interdisciplinary methods at Ƶ and UNC Greensboro.