At 6-8 weeks, summer school programs are shorter than traditional school semester academic courses. Because of greater time commitments and intensive requirements, classes are equally or more demanding. Summer schools sometimes include related extracurricular activities and field trips to mix in some fun. While they’ve been around since time immemorial, recent research has challenged their necessity, particularly post-pandemic, as school leaders dedicate billions to creating and enhancing summer programs.
Read on for the 5 reasons why summer programs for high school students matter so much in 2025 that you should consider enrolling this year.
- Summer school programs can improve your grades.
This is why summer school was created historically. Improving their academic foundations continues to be the primary motivation for why students attend. Many high school students find it simpler to learn and get better grades during the summer break thanks to the smaller class sizes. As a result, they get more effective one-on-one interaction with teachers. Students have fewer conflicting priorities than during the school year, such as other courses and extracurricular activities. As mentioned above, summer classes often add a little extra motivation to keep students engaged, including exciting workshops, lecture series, and educational field trips.
- Summer school programs help you discover new passions.
High school students can explore new interests by taking specialized classes during the summer that aren’t available or they don’t have time for during the rest of the school year. This includes taking an immersive foreign language course, learning how to code or game design, photography, and more. Since summer programs don’t follow a specific curriculum, you can expand your academic horizons or reinforce your existing career goals, especially those in technology. Because of this opportunity to switch it up, students beat academic boredom and stay motivated for the rest of the school year.
- You can get ahead with summer school programs.
The flexibility of the summer school curriculum also offers high school students already with a strong interest in a particular subject to take their education to the next level. Since the traditional school semester usually brings a little of everything subject-wise, you might find it challenging to focus on the one subject you’re already passionate about. Summer classes let you choose that one subject you can’t get enough of during the busy school year. Summer programs let students demonstrate to admissions officers their commitment not just to their chosen major but to their overall academic standing.
- Avoid summer learning loss when you take summer school programs.
Studies show that students decline by one month of learning brain-wise when they’re on summer break, including about 2.6 months of math skills and 2 months of reading skills. Researchers have identified this issue as early as the first grade. As a result, teachers need to review up to 6 weeks of what kids learned last year to compensate for this decline in academic performance. Summer programs are a proven way to prevent slumps. It has the potential to help students catch up even after they’ve lagged too far behind.
With their smaller class size, high schoolers will benefit from 1 to 1 interaction with teachers, a more immersive timetable with the material to expand on their current knowledge, and even some special activities, like seminars and field trips, to tie everything together in the real-world.
- Summer school programs can give you a head start in college preparations.
For high school students, summer classes quickly build their college applications and beyond. They can take courses in the college they are applying for, which has its own benefits, including exposing them to first-hand experience academically and socially. They also gain fundamental skills and experiences that stand out to college admissions officers and employers, like critical thinking, communications, and their genuine interest in the major or career they’ve chosen. Plus, students can build their portfolio of work, especially artists, performers, and writers, and sometimes earn college credits.
With top institutions becoming more competitive, high school students applying to them who attend summer school programs do more than earn the required GPA, participate in the expected extracurricular activities, and score high on entrance exams.
Summer Programs 2024 Matter
Not every country shares the annual school calendar we have. Summer break in the U.S. has agricultural roots allowing kids to work on their family’s farm. It was to help American families back then accept public education. In 2024, summer school programs, illustrated in these five reasons, give high schoolers an advantage not just to summer learning loss but to college and the future overall. Students have fewer conflicting priorities than during the school year, such as other courses and extracurricular activities.
Need more guidance with college admissions beyond high school summer programs? Speak with an Enrollment Specialist to maximize your opportunities.
