2024 Bridge Conference

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) launched a new version of Summer School in 2023 with a vision to create summer learning that wasn't focused solely on remediation, but could be an extension of the school year that provided academic supports with fun enrichment opportunities making a place kids would want to go to. The 'Yes! to Expanded Learning Planning Team", made up of cross-departmental district office staff, supported the development and implementation of six elementary school sites, which served as regional hubs for SPS students for a four-week session. The school day was similar in schedule to that during the school year, but was unique in that it included SPS led literacy and math instruction in the mornings and Community Based Organization (CBO) led STEAM based enrichment in the afternoons. SPS Instructional Assistants staffed the entire day providing some content connection and classroom management support throughout the day. The program expanded in 2024 to ten sites and included further integration between SPS and CBO programming. Prior to sessions starting, SPS and CBO staff participated in joint professional development and met at their school sites to prepare their classrooms. They also worked at creating a weekly family engagement communication and a culminating event where families were invited in to see various projects or performances that their children shared. Evaluation of the program was gathered through surveys and focus groups of students, families and staff; the vision is to continue to refine and expand programming in the summer while also providing a model to advocate for central office sponsored expanded learning partnership and offerings throughout the entire school year.