Supporting the Whole Child Through Summer Learning
The Need for Comprehensive Summer Learning Programs
Given the learning loss caused by COVID-19 and the typical summer slide, summer learning has become a critical service for districts. Combined, these challenges have created a slippery slope that schools and students must overcome. However, summer programming today must go beyond academics to address students’ mental health and well-being.
Recent Statistics: Test results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress highlight a significant decline in student achievement. To combat this, summer programming must incorporate a variety of components to meet today’s academic and social-emotional demands. Catapult Learning’s summer learning programs are designed to do just that.
The Key Components of Summer Learning
1. Academic Intervention
Effective summer programs must include academic interventions, particularly in reading and math, to help students regain lost ground and start the new school year strong.
How Catapult Learning Can Help
- Reading and literacy interventions: Support foundational literacy skills, improve comprehension, and build vocabulary and phonics skills.
- Math interventions: Reinforce foundational math skills, boost confidence, and improve fluency.
- Proven results: Students using Catapult’s programs saw their reading scores improve by 9.3 points and math scores by 8.5 points, based on pretest and posttest iReady scores in a large, urban market.
2. Enrichment
Enrichment activities like STEAM and Robotics encourage critical-thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on, project-based learning.
How Catapult Learning Can Help
- STEAM and Robotics offerings provide engaging, interactive lessons designed by academic experts.
- Easy-to-implement programs supported by Catapult’s professional development specialists.
- Helps districts create fun, hands-on learning environments during the summer.
3. Life Skills
Life skills programming supports students’ mental health, resilience, and confidence, preparing them for real-world challenges as they grow.
How Catapult Learning Can Help
- Evidence-based programs to boost student motivation, self-confidence, and mental well-being.
- Serves 20,000 students and 5,000 teachers annually across more than 800 schools.
- Focuses on helping students navigate anxiety, depression, and stress while developing vital real-world skills.
Why a Holistic Approach Is Essential
Today’s summer learning programs must combine academics, enrichment, and life skills to meet students’ needs comprehensively. Catapult Learning’s supplemental services in academic intervention, STEAM and Robotics enrichment, and Life Skills ensure a whole-child approach, setting students up for success in the upcoming school year.
Visit our Summer Learning Program page to learn more about how Catapult Learning can support your district’s needs.
