A summer program called Summer Boost has helped over 39,000 students gain nearly a month more learning in math and 2 1/2 extra weeks in English language arts. The program, which was launched in 2022 by Bloomberg Philanthropies, serves students in seven cities, including Birmingham, Alabama, where Legacy Prep, a small charter network, has seen significant improvements in student confidence and test scores.

Local Impact

At Legacy Prep, the staff works hard to make sure students attend the summer program, which includes activities such as learning how to make TikTok videos and working with professional musicians. The program also focuses on math and reading skills, with students spending three hours a day on these subjects. As a result, the school has seen its test scores improve, with its elementary school going from a D to a B last year on the state report card.

The Summer Boost program is designed to prevent the summer slide, which is the loss of learning that occurs when students are out of school. The program’s success is attributed to its focus on individualized instruction, small class sizes, and consistent student attendance. The program also prioritizes students who are significantly behind and often need one-on-one instruction to catch up.

National Impact

The Summer Boost program is not just limited to Birmingham, Alabama. It serves students in six other cities, including New York City, Baltimore, and San Antonio. The program has received $50 million in funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies and has helped over 16,000 students in its first year. The program’s success has been studied by researchers at Arizona State University, who found that students who participated in the program gained significant amounts of learning in math and reading.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.