The threat of summer school is something most children fear, but summer tutoring can be a great way to get caught up, get ahead and get motivated. The free time afforded by the summer break is a great opportunity for learning, and with the right tutoring services and the right attitude by parents, even the most troubled student can get the full benefit from summer learning.
If your child had below-average grades, or if his or her teacher talked to you about the possibility of repeating a grade, then you may want to consider summer tutoring to catch up for the next year. math tutoring or reading instruction with personalized lesson plans can be a very effective way to learn. While most students feel working with an enthusiastic and personable tutor is motivating, summer school students may feel the opposite. If they feel they're being punished, tutoring may not be as effective. If you decide to go forward with summer learning, keep their motivation up by allowing plenty of time for normal summer activities like sports, trips or even day camps. Also, be sure that they know that you're very proud of how hard they're working and how much they've progressed.
Summer tutoring programs run the range from private tutors who offer lessons around your schedule, to full-time intensive programs from larger companies like Sylvan Learning Center and other learning centers.
My children went to New Trier High School in Evanston, IL, which at that time was the #1 academic public high school in the U.S. It may still be; I don’t know. They required all incoming freshmen to go to summer school to be tutored in how to study. And those that needed help in particular subjects had to attend classes pertaining to those subjects. I thought the kids would not attend school during the summers after their freshman year. Found out it was the "thing to do" during the summer. Almost all the kids went to school!
There are some sleepaway camps that offer some instruction as part of a larger, traditional camp program. Find out if there's an overnight camp in your area where the counselors offer this kind of tutoring service.
There are also summer tutoring opportunities for children who enjoy learning and want to pursue study in an unusual or advanced subject. Some colleges or elite boarding schools teach summer programs in advanced mathematics, English, writing, even subjects like philosophy. These programs offer learning and social opportunities for motivated and gifted teens. They also look great on college applications. For shorter or more affordable enrichment classes closer to home, community colleges often offer courses for high schoolers, or even programs in subjects like the arts or sciences for younger kids.
Though some students are initially against the idea of summer tutoring, it can be a great way to get caught up before the new school year. The sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem that comes from mastering a formerly difficult subject more than pays off the time spent over the summer break. A student who learns to feel great by getting ahead may soon join summer tutoring because they enjoy it, and look forward to learning year-round.
