Summer school success

By Ashley Ann Mentley

Happy and successful students of all ages are proving that summer school programs in Windsor Essex County are more than just extended detention.

The Greater Essex County District School Board has been running three programs throughout the summer months which have drawn in large numbers of students and are resulting in high success rates.  The programs, which vary in focus from grades 1 through 12, are intended to serve as not only a place to make up or gain extra credits, but also as summer camps and accelerated learning environments.

Summer Learning Program is a three week course for students who have just completed grades 1, 2 or 3 and is focused on core learning.

“It’s really quick but it’s very rich and highly focused and intensive on teaching and learning mathematics and literacy,” said Superintendent of Education for Program and Professional Learning, Clara Howitt.

She said one of the biggest strengths of the program is the 200 minute learning block.  Participants also receive an optional free breakfast and have the opportunity to swim and play games each day.

SLP has grown from three sites in 2010 to 31 sites this past summer with over 600 students.  Howitt said the main goal of the program is to limit summer learning loss.

Another program aimed at slightly older students is Reaching Ahead.

According to Dan Fister, Superintendent of Education for Student Success and Alternative Education, the program “speaks to transitioning our Grade 8 students into Grade 9 students in a full credit summer school program.”

The focus of the course was “discovering the work place” and the 51 students who participated are now beginning high school with one credit already completed.

Fister said when students experience success early on, it typically continues.

“If students can achieve 16 credits by the time they turn 16 years old, our graduation rates increase,” he said.

Also offered throughout the summer was the traditional summer school program. Though the success rate was 97 per cent this year that was a slight drop from 2014’s numbers.  Summer school principal Pat Boulos said because there was an increase in the number of students attending – roughly 1,400 – a slight decline is to be expected.

School board members said they want to emphasize that summer programs should not be seen negatively and that they are great opportunities for students.

“It’s typically been seen as something punitive – if you don’t pass during the school year then you have to go to summer school.  We’re changing that culture,” said Fister.