WORTHINGTON -- Summer means fun, even for the students enrolled in District 518's summer school programs, who attend school in the mornings four days a week for a month to catch up with their peers academically.
"They seem happy to come," said summer school teacher Jolene Calvin. "I believe it puts some structure in their day... they do like coming here."
About 320 students in grades one through eight are participating in the targeted services summer school from 7:45 to 11:30 a.m. four days a week for a month at Prairie Elementary and the Area Learning Center.
"The majority of the kids in our program are performing below grade level," said Rhonda Brandt, District 518's summer school coordinator. "(We're) helping them close that gap."
Some summer school students have language difficulty or problems with attendance or truancy. Others haven't met requirements or are in danger of being held back a grade. As such, they qualify for the summer program, an extension of the after-school academic assistance program, paid for by targeted services.
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Summer school isn't the same as regular school.
There are fewer students per teacher, allowing teachers to give more attention to each child. Teachers coordinate more activities designed to motivate their students and customize them to smaller groups. Many activities are hands-on.
"It's basically looking at the needs of the student and looking at ways to teach that need during the four weeks of summer school," Brandt said.
Each day students participate in an enrichment activity, such as art or physical education. After school gets out, they can spend time at the Nobles County Library or visit the YMCA.
"I think teachers have more of an opportunity to interact with students," Brandt explained. "It's more of a relaxed environment and teachers really get to work with students and build a positive relationship."
Summer school used to be held in June, but was switched to July around four years ago, Brandt said. The switch meant kids have time to wind down from the end of school and time afterward to get ready for the start of school.
Also attending summer school -- in two separate programs -- are about 100 special education students with individual learning plans requiring them to go to summer school and 20 eighth-graders in a program designed to ease the transition to ninth grade.
Having all three programs at the same time makes transportation cheaper and easier and enables the school to more easily offer breakfast to students.
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"I'm just encouraged by the students' enthusiasm," Calvin said. "I know there's a need for them to work on skills during the summer. I want them to be successful when they come back to school in the fall."
Her students focus on reading, writing and mathematics and do not follow a specific curriculum track. Instead, Calvin plays it by ear, adjusting the curriculum to students' needs. If she plans a lesson on telling time and students learn quickly, she passes on to measuring or counting money.
Her students don't do workbook pages like they do during the regular school year.
"One of the kids said 'I know, this is summer school. We're learning through games!'" Calvin recalled.
Initially her students might be worried that school will be boring or difficult, but after a day or two at summer school, they tell her they like it and wish they could go to summer school for longer.
"They want to learn," Calvin said. "They compete... they want their papers to be right. They want to do a good job. It's been a great summer school."
