Boston schools announcing new summer school initiative

BOSTON — After more than a year of remote learning, on Thursday, Boston Public Schools will announce a new summer school initiative that will support continued learning.

BPS plans to engage more than 27,000 students through the summer programming this year.

Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, alongside community partners and city leaders, will announce a series of programs for students to access support services, academic recovery, acceleration initiatives, and other enrichment activities over the summer at the Mildred Avenue K-8 School.

BPS leaders will join community partners, including Boston After School & Beyond, which partners with BPS to provide 5th Quarter summer programming. It’s a research-backed summer learning approach that integrates academics and enrichment.

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This announcement comes as new data shows that one-third of Boston Public School students, who are eligible to return to the classroom full-time, have chosen to stay removed.

Superintendent Cassellius told the School Committee last month this is well below the district’s expectations.

In Boston, in-person learning is the highest among the youngest students and those with disabilities.

Right now, less than half of all Boston School Students are learning in-person, which includes high school students set to return to the classroom on May 17.

Boston Schools summer initiative comes after the state announced last week that it will be dedicating more than $70 million for summer school and recreation programs for students to help make up for the learning losses caused by the pandemic. The State’s Education Department predicts that tens of thousands of students will enroll in these summer programs.

Cox Media Group