Summer School Challenges Students with Diverse Learning Opportunities

Gone are the days when kids despised summer school. ’s summer school program offers learning opportunities for students from kindergarten to high school. Students can brush up on math, science, history and English skills in classes that encourage learning in interesting and unusual ways.

While the elementary classes sound as if they are just plain old fun, students are learning. History is taught in a class based on the American Girls dolls. Participants study the life and community of girls from different periods of history, including the foods, crafts and games of the era. The Young Astronaut Program is incorporated into Science and Space class. Students experiment with Newton’s Three Laws of Motion, build launch exhibits and construct a mock space shuttle control panel. 

Jody Reynolds, art teacher at for the past 10 years, leads the Experiment with Printing class.

“We have an opportunity to be together two hours each day for an entire month,” she said.  “Students have learned many techniques for printmaking.  They have learned about reverse imaging, made stationery, and designed a print series similar to a triptych.”

Cardinal Mania, a favorite summer school class, was developed by Danielle Placke Stilts five years ago.  Stilts, who teaches third grade at , is proud of her curriculum and tries to keep improving the lesson plan.

“I have students who have taken this class several times, so I try to add new activities," she said. "We have students ages 7 to 10 and they help each other when learning new things.”

Students play wiffle ball and keep track of their batting average and learn math skills such as fractions in a fun way. They research their favorite Cardinals players and create a biographical presentation to help them learn writing and communicating skills.

The class is so popular that Fredbird visited the class. Other educators have modeled the class in their schools.

“These are student enrichment classes,” said Debbie Palazzola, administrative intern and summer school coordinator at Shenandoah.  “Kids have an opportunity to continue their learning in a different way.”

Middle school students have a diverse selection of learning opportunities as well. Music classes like guitar, band and orchestra are available.  An Introduction to Architecture allows students to use math and creative skills to design a floor plan, build a three dimensional model and use architectural software to transfer and create a 3D computer model.  Kids looking for physical activity can participate in a number of sports like tennis, soccer, or a sports academy which includes a number of team sports.

Summer school may be less appealing to high school students.  Classes are available for students who failed core subjects like algebra, English composition, history or biology.  The district offers preparatory classes in geometry, algebra, calculus and communications arts.  Robotics and construction technology offer students a taste of possible careers.