Summer Classes
Many students experience learning loss during the summer. This ‘summer slide‘ occurs when students do not maintain academic and cognitive momentum over the summer break.
Here’s what we know:
Summer Learning Loss Facts
- Students lose the equivalent of one month of learning during the summer vacation
- Students lose up to 2.6 months of math skills over the summer
- Reading skills decline by about the equivalent of two months
- Summer learning loss can be recognized as early as Grade One
- Teachers spent up to six weeks reviewing past material in the fall to make up for summer learning loss
The good news is that the summer brain drain is completely preventable!
There are several benefits to taking summer classes, including:
- Get more individualized attention: Summer classes usually have fewer students than regular classes, so you can get more individualized attention from your teacher and classmates. Confidence doesn’t always come easily, but it can be developed. When students spend time working on developing their skills and are able to track their progress, it builds their confidence to try new things. Summer programs give students the time they need to build not only stronger skills but confidence in themselves.
- Focus on a difficult subject: On average, students lose approximately 2 months of learning over the summer, putting students at a disadvantage when school starts in the fall. Summer learning programs help students beat these odds with regular practice and skill development. You can give extra time and attention to tough subjects. Summer is the perfect time to go over those key concepts and practice the skills necessary to turn a difficult subject into an A+ subject.
- Explore new fields of study: You can use summer classes to explore fields of study that interest you. Summer is the perfect time to take on learning something new. Students could work on strengthening reading skills by reading novels, practising penmanship by learning cursive or enhancing writing skills with daily journaling.
- Avoid the “summer slide”: For many students, school provides both a regular routine as well as social connections that many students miss during the summer months. Research shows that students lose 20% of their school year gains in reading and 27% in math on average during summer break. Summer school can help keep students engaged with learning. Retention and recall are not the only things affected by summer vacation: students’ motivation to learn can also drop. Motivation is like a muscle: action is needed to maintain it.
Whether it is reading, math, or writing, summer learning programs are a chance for students to work ahead. For those with a strong interest in a particular subject, summer programs can help take those students to the next level of their skill development.
