Here's what to know about Corpus Christi ISD summer programs

The summer months offer an opportunity for students who might be struggling in school to catch up and prepare for the next grade level. At Corpus Christi ISD, the district hopes thousands of students will decide to participate in summer programs.

“We don’t want summer programs to be looked at negatively,” after-school and summer program coordinator Candi Callas said. “We really want our families and our communities to see them as an extended learning opportunity where students get to come and learn, but in a fun, engaging way.”

The district’s summer programs, aimed at closing learning gaps and preventing academic slide through intensive reading and math instruction, will run in June and July.

For elementary and middle school programs, students are invited based on performance data and grades.

At the high school level, the district offers three main summer programs: credit recovery for students who scored below a 70 in courses required for graduation, credit acceleration and the end-of-course prep program for students who did not successfully pass STAAR EOC assessments to prepare for a retest in June.

The programs are designed to help meet the requirements of post-pandemic legislation requiring extra tutoring for students who do not pass state assessments.

The district is also partnering with Driscoll Children’s Hospital to bring in mental health specialists to offer services to summer program students. Each program includes breakfast and lunch.

Families with children who could benefit from summer programs began receiving invitations last week. The district expects a decision from parents by the end of this week.

How many students are participating?

In recent years, the district has seen increases in summer program participation.

There were about 1,000 elementary students in 2017-18, compared to more than 2,600 last year.

This year, 2,251 elementary school students and 1,014 middle school students have already been invited.

Part of the jump is related to the pandemic, as the district strove to combat learning loss after disruptions to the school year. But numbers are still high because the district has expanded the scope of the program, said Amanda Cameron, the district's director of Title I and state compensatory education.

In the past, summer programs were primarily for students who failed a course or assessment. Now, the district is also inviting those who might not be failing, but who the data indicates could benefit from additional support.

“In elementary, you have first-graders who are struggling with reading, but they might be able to do the daily work and be successful,” Cameron said. “But now we have a different assessment practice where we can identify their reading difficulties and invite them.”

Elementary programs

The elementary “Bridge” program for pre-K and kindergarten students and the “Bridge+” program for first through fifth grades are scheduled for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday, June 12-July 13, except for July 4 and 5.

Callas, the after-school and summer program coordinator, said the elementary and middle school programs have been reworked to offer more than academic tutoring.

At the elementary level, the schedule includes a 40-minute block of enrichment every day, including dance, art and STEM activities.

Each week will have a different theme. For example, one theme is bugs and butterflies. So, during this week, students might build a butterfly feeder.

The district is also partnering with several community organizations such as the Gulf Coast Humane Society, the Texas State Aquarium and a local martial arts program for other activities.

In recent years, one of the major indicators used to invite students for summer programs has been STAAR results. But due to a redesign of the state assessment, scores are expected later this year.

Instead, campuses are making determinations based on a variety of other data sources, including other assessments.

Twelve elementary school campuses across the district will host programs. The district will provide transportation from a student’s home campus to the campus hosting the program they are participating in.

There will also be a bilingual pre-K and kindergarten program Monday through Thursday from June 12 to July 13.

Middle school programs

The middle school credit-promotion-recovery program will run June 12 through July 13.

The program will serve students who had low scores or who did not successfully pass a course during the 2022-23 school year. The goal is to prepare students for the next school year.

Callas said that the district is working to provide visits from community partners such as the humane society.

The schedule includes two blocks, one for STEM subjects and one for humanities. Both will be project-based and hands-on, Callas said.

“We’re really trying to help them love learning again,” Callas said.

High school programs

The high school programs are focused more heavily on helping students meet graduation requirements.

Credit recovery and acceleration will be held in the morning and early afternoon Monday through Thursday during two sessions. The first session runs June 6-22. The second session, which does not include July 4 or 5, runs June 26-July 14.

All of the district’s summer programs are free, except for the high school credit acceleration program, which is also available to non-CCISD students.

All high school programs will be housed at Carroll High School, and transportation will be provided from each of the other high school campuses.

For more information about signing up for summer programs, call 361-695-7528 or email candi.callas@ccisd.us.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Here's what to know about Corpus Christi ISD summer programs