FAIRMONT FIVE: good reasons for attending summer school

The last day of school--students look forward to it throughout the school year (even if they secretly love to learn).  Students, teachers, and parents yearn for the slightly less structured days of summer and look forward to a well-deserved break from tests and homework! The tricky thing about summer is that students have a tendency to get a little rusty in mastering academic skills. Education circles call this the “summer brain drain phenomena.”

Did you know that students lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in mathematical computation skills during the summer months?  When you compare standardized test scores taken at the end of the school year with the same test scores taken at the end of summer, there is a significant dip in student achievement.  Summer brain drain is a fact, but it's not inevitable.

Studies show that quality summer programs keep the learning going all year long. This boosts a child's academic achievement and confidence ahead of the new school year. Here are five reasons to consider summer school for your child:

1. Extra practice and review of key concepts in reading, writing, and math help reinforce academic skills and fill any gaps in a child’s education over the past year.
2. The smaller class sizes often available in summer school classes foster closer student and teacher engagement. A child may feel more confident to speak up and ask for help.
3. The relaxed environment that summer school provides is more beneficial to a child’s brain development than hours of watching TV or playing video games. Plus, during summer camp, a child has opportunities to engage with friends while building character and participating in a variety of rewarding activities.  
4. The slower pace of summer school allows a child to "play" while learning new subjects, discovering new areas of interest, and developing important problem solving skills.
5. Overall, summer school helps children build confidence in academic abilities, and a little confidence can go a long way in helping your child to succeed in the coming school year.  
   
   
   Find out more about Fairmont's summer programs including day camp, summer school, and enrichment programs by visiting www.fairmontsummerprograms.com.  Save 10% on summer school and summer camp if you enroll by April 30th!
   
   Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools