DPS 61 Summer Programs Gave Students An Opportunity To Learn Away From The Classroom

In an attempt to keep students engaged and learning throughout the summer; DPS 61 offered more summer programs to students than ever. Including students from kindergarten through high school, the programs were designed to keep students engaged in learning outside of the classroom. Programs such as SMASH Camp, that enrolled 78 students, afforded kids a learning opportunity that took them everywhere from St. Louis to Chicago. Bobbi Williams, director of Special Programs with DPS 61 stresses the importance of keeping kids involved…

In total, the camps enrolled nearly 1000 DPS students and had waiting lists for almost all of them. Students who attended the various camps throughout the summer saw their maths scores raise by an average of 9%.

In a survey taken after the camps wrapped up 81% of parents said they thought the camps positively affected their childs academic acheivements, while 91% of them said they thought the camp positively affected their child's attitute towards learning.

Williams says depending on funding, they hope to expand once again next summer.