Summer school aims to keep students sharp

PUBLIC DOMAIN
In the early 1800s in the United States, students often attended school mostly in winter and summer months to free time for planting and harvesting in the spring and fall. Since the rise of the middle class in mid-1800s, school calendars began to reflect the schedules of those who could take summer vacations. Since then, researchers have been advocating for an extended school year by providing learning opportunities throughout summer breaks to minimize losing knowledge.

Most, if not all, students—and teachers—count the days until the school year ends, and it’s time to enjoy the warm weather and freedom every late May to mid-August.

Studies over the last 10 years report that having nearly three months off, however, can put students at a disadvantage when the fall semester begins. According to a 2010 study from The Johns Hopkins University New Horizons for Learning, the average student loses two months of knowledge from the year preceding the summer break. The same study indicated that students who are most affected by the “summer slide” are children already at-risk for compromised educational opportunities because they’re from households with low income.

When it comes to school reform, educators across the country are trying to foster a year-round learning approach by offering summer learning opportunities, without robbing children of time to relax and roam the outdoors.

In the Maryville R-II School District, the elementary, middle, and high school offer summer school. At each school, teachers tailor the classes according to the students’ individual needs. For the elementary and middle schools, sessions run from May 31 to June 17.

“It’s not all remediation,” said Maryville Middle School Assistant Principal Kate Lydon. “It’s about keeping up skills so the kids don’t lose them.”

At the middle school, students won’t be taking classes as much as they will be reviewing math facts, reading, and finding ways to implement the The Leader in Me program that the school has used since 2014.

“We hope that all kids are doing some reviewing over the summer, not just lying around on the couch,” said Lydon. “But this is so any kid who wants to come to school can have some extra time.”

Lydon continued to use the word “opportunity” because she said it’s important that people understand that before high school, summer school isn’t mandatory or made specifically for over- or underachievers.

“This is a broad mix of all kinds of students in all grades,” she said.

Maryville High School is offering two summer options this year, including traditional summer school and online credit recovery.

Students taking the traditional route can enroll in speech, personal finance, and health courses to free their schedules in order to fill those spots with other classes during the regular school year.

“We want to make it possible for students who are super busy during the school year to take these required courses so they can take part in classes like band,” said MHS Assistant Principal Craig Borey.

Online recovery is available for students who failed a course during the school year and would like to retake it to earn necessary credit to graduate. Courses available span several core subjects, as well as foreign language, electives, and fine arts. Students taking these courses can complete coursework from any location where they have internet access.

According to Borey, online recovery courses are free for students in the R-II District and are available to students outside the district for $125 per course. All work for these must be completed by July 3.

Borey said that as of right now, the model for summer school at MHS is based on the need for course completion instead of continuing education. Anything else, he said, is difficult to promote because students are focused on obtaining enough credits to graduate.

On the high-school level, continued learning through the Extended School Year program is reserved for students who receive special services through the district. ESY is a voluntary 12-month service available to students with IEPs. Various criteria are considered, but students’ need for ESY is based on developing their specific skills necessary for educational success.

For more information about summer school, call the schools or visit the district website.