Thousands registered for MNPS summer learning program
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Thousands of students have already signed up for summer learning with Metro Nashville Public Schools through a program that can help kids avoid being held back in their grade. Priority registration has now been extended to Monday, April 22.
The Promising Scholars program welcomes all rising Kindergarten through 12th grade students, and runs May 30 to June 28. According to the district, each summer camp will offer a mix of classroom learning; science, technology, and art activities; physical activity, and other fun experiences.
Right now, the district reported there are just under 14,000 students registered and that continues right up until the start of the program. They’re expecting numbers to be on par with last year when about 16,000 students took part in summer learning in some capacity.
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“Those students who participated in promising scholars had more growth in both ELA and math, which is exciting to see that what we’re doing in that space is truly making a difference so it’s really a great opportunity,” said Makeda Watson, MNPS Director of Family & Community Partnerships- Community Achieves, Extended Learning & Family Engagement. “Regardless of if a student is at risk of retention, or needing that remediation, it’s just a great opportunity to even get jump started on kind of those skills that they will be learning in upcoming years.”
MNPS leaders are encouraging all 3rd grade families to sign their student up now to save your place if needed to avoid retention, since TCAP results are not available until around the end of the school year.
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“We have very low (student:teacher) ratios for promising scholars. We have an average of one to 13. So a lot of small groups, low class sizes, so that students can get just some additional support during the summer,” said Watson. “Our goal is not only to support those students who are at risk of retention, but just to support all of our students no matter where they’re at.”
There’s a a full-day schedule for rising kindergarteners through 8th-graders and a half-day for rising 9th through 12th graders. Watson says each year they’ve been adding more offerings for high school students.
“This year, I think we have been really beefing up what we’re doing in a high school space,” she explained. “Students can earn those certifications in Microsoft Office or Hootsuite, Adobe, and we also have some college readiness opportunities. So they can sit for the CLEP exams and earn college credit, which is really exciting. We have some dual enrollment.”
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