Summer 2024 was a time of learning, growing, and doing for more than 16,000 students, ranging from the youngest learners entering Kindergarten to rising high school seniors. At sixteen district elementary sites, students were actively engaged in academic pursuits in the morning until noon within the Summer Achieve program. Young learners prepared for the transition to Kindergarten within the K-Ready Bootcamp, and English Language Learners strengthened their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in the English Plus Program. The Extended School Year program ensured exceptional students with IEPs maintained their skills at risk of regression. In the newly-designed Summer Quest program from 1-6 pm, students experienced a wide selection of enrichment activities, choosing from debate, bowling, Legos, book club, comic book making, martial arts, and more. The Jump Start Program successfully introduced middle school students to an array of Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings available in high schools across the District. Students had the opportunity to explore diverse fields, from culinary arts and graphic design to entrepreneurship, igniting their passion for hands-on learning and future career possibilities.
For students at the secondary level, high schools offered both accelerated and enrichment courses, maximizing learning opportunities during the summer months. Students engaged in innovative coursework that enhanced their skills and allowed them to explore their interests. High school students participated in college-level courses offered by esteemed institutions such as NJIT, Seton Hall, Howard University, Essex County College, Montclair State University, Parson’s School of Design, Harvard University, and Pratt Institute. Notable experiences included Harvard’s Pre-College Program, an intensive two-week summer program aimed at providing students a preview of college life. Parsons, a global leader in art and design education, offered a summer program enabling students to collaborate with professionals, acquire new skills, and enhance their portfolios. Additionally, some students spent their summer at Pratt’s Brooklyn campus, focusing on design and architecture amidst the vibrant backdrop of New York City. External partners played a pivotal role in enriching student learning by offering a diverse array of experiences.
Through collaborations with businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions, students engaged in hands-on projects, internships, mentorship programs and Pre-College Programs. The Future Business Leaders program provided high school students with internship opportunities in various district offices. Students demonstrated leadership and career readiness skills taught during CTE classes.
In addition, the District offered a Summer STEM Academy, the Summer Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Sports Camps, and much more. Overall, the summer months proved to be a time of academic growth, along with expanding students’ horizons and preparing them for a successful school year and beyond!