Commit to having a Summer School Program

As December approaches, it's time to start building momentum for a high-impact summer learning program. This month is all about clarifying your vision, taking stock of what worked well (and what needs improvement) from past summers, and establishing a strategic plan for the months ahead.

Key Actions:

• Determine the primary goals of the summer school program and get buy-in from leadership, teachers, and community stakeholders (e.g. address learning loss, improve literacy and math outcomes, or provide comprehensive support for multilingual learners, etc.) 
• Define what success will look like (e.g., student proficiency improvement, engagement metrics, or progress in specific subjects).
• Build relationships with potential partners who share your commitment to high-quality summer learning, like possible funders and curriculum partners like the RISE Summer Learning Program. 
• Assign a dedicated leader or leadership team to manage summer planning and execution.
• Schedule ongoing meetings with the leadership team to monitor progress 
  

The RISE Summer Learning Program's rigorous curriculum helps schools address unfinished learning in literacy and math.

December is the best time for us to start planning together. In our first call, our experts can be your partners in defining what a successful summer program could look like for your school and setting that vision that will guide the ongoing efforts. 

Here’s what we’ll cover in our first conversation:

• Curriculum Overview: Rise consultants will walk you through the components of the structured curriculum for literacy and math and explain how they align with your state standards. 

• Professional Development: What makes RISE so impactful isn’t just the targeted curriculum, it’s how much support and training we provide teachers. We’ll talk about how we can help you teachers avoid burnout and feel prepared and energized for the summer months. 

Assessment Tools: Finally, you’ll learn how RISE’s pre- and post-assessments measure student progress and how the data can drive personalized instruction.

January kicks off the implementation phase, where school leaders translate their vision for summer learning into tangible plans. 
Select a curriculum that aligns with your goals, including the costs for all related materials, lesson plans, and assessments. 

Key Actions:

• Determine how many classrooms will be needed based on expected student enrollment. Factor in space for large-group instruction (such as literacy and math sessions) and small-group instruction for targeted interventions.
• Identify the equipment, classroom setups, and technology needed to create effective learning environments. 
• Outline all anticipated costs, including teacher and staff salaries, curriculum resources, technology, and facility expenses. 

The Value of the RISE Summer Learning Program

The RISE Summer Learning Program provides a turnkey solution that helps schools implement a rigorous and engaging summer program without needing piecemeal resource acquisition. 

• Reduces Staffing Costs:
  RISE’s pre-built curriculum eliminates the need for additional staff to develop lessons. 
• Streamlines Professional Development and onboarding:
  RISE offers built-in teacher training and ongoing professional development throughout the summer. This not only reduces the need for separate PD investments but also equips teachers to implement the curriculum effectively.
• Integrated Assessment Tools:
  RISE includes pre- and post-assessments, alongside data analysis tools, to monitor student progress and measure program effectiveness, saving schools the cost of additional assessments.
• Minimizes Curriculum Costs:
  Schools save on purchasing separate resources and materials with a comprehensive curriculum package covering math and literacy for grades 1-9. 

You’ll start building a strong instructional team for the summer learning program in February.

Key Actions:

• Define the qualifications and experience required for teachers in the summer program like familiarity with the subjects and experience supporting students with a wide range of learning needs. 
• Prioritize candidates with demonstrated experience in differentiated instruction, culturally responsive teaching, and working with students with diverse learning needs, including English language learners and students with disabilities.
• Build a detailed recruitment strategy based on the staffing needs identified in January. Identify the ideal qualifications for teachers, focusing on content knowledge and grade-level experience. 
• Create a clear timeline, including dates for posting job listings, conducting interviews, and making hiring decisions. 
• Establish a deadline for reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and making hiring decisions.

Why Professional Development Attracts and Retains Quality Summer School Teachers:

The RISE Summer Learning Program stands out by offering a comprehensive professional development package and can help your school attract high-quality summer school teachers. 

Here’s why: 

Rise Reduces Burden and Supports Teacher Well-being: Summer school often demands teachers create their curriculum, adding to an already heavy workload. RISE alleviates this stress by offering a turnkey solution with a pre-built curriculum, assessments, and continuous professional development. This reduces stress and allows teachers to focus on what they do best—teaching. 

Teachers Advance their Skills: Teachers receive training in key areas such as curriculum implementation, instructional strategies, data-driven teaching, and differentiated instruction. This emphasis on professional growth makes RISE an appealing option for teachers looking to advance their careers. RISE structures its professional development to encourage collaboration among teachers. Live sessions and interactive discussions create a sense of community, allowing teachers to share ideas, receive feedback, and learn from peers nationwide. 

The Rise Summer Learning Program Focuses on Engagement and Joy: While maintaining academic rigor, RISE emphasizes the importance of student engagement and joy in learning. This benefits students and makes the teaching experience more enjoyable, encouraging teachers to return for future programs.

Use end-of-year assessment data to identify and prioritize the students who will gain the most from the summer program. 

Key Actions:

• Utilize academic performance data to identify and prioritize students who have demonstrated the greatest need for academic support.
• Align staffing to student needs and ensure an appropriate student-to-teacher ratio. 
• Order and organize all curriculum materials, instructional tools, and resources.

A Typical Day in the Rise Summer Learning Program

Lavinia Group’s RISE Summer Learning curriculum offers a structured and balanced daily schedule with 180 minutes of literacy and math instruction. This schedule is designed to be flexible yet rigorous, ensuring that students at every learning level receive targeted support where they need it most. 

A typical day might include:

45 minutes of Insight Humanities™ (literacy-focused)    
Students engage with reading comprehension and critical thinking, using multicultural literature that fosters a love for reading while developing deep analytical skills.

45 minutes of Math for Meaning™
Math lessons focus on solving real-world problems through hands-on activities and mathematical discourse designed to enhance students’ understanding of foundational math concepts.

Small Group Instruction
Throughout the day, students receive small-group instruction based on their individual learning needs, providing targeted interventions in both literacy and math.

April is an ideal time to shift the focus toward building strong partnerships with families and the broader community.

Key Actions:

• Finalize both staff and student rosters. 
• Communicate the detailed summer school plan to students, families, teachers, and other stakeholders. 
• Organize informative and engaging sessions to introduce families to the summer learning program. 
• Establish a dedicated space or online platform where families can access valuable resources related to the summer learning program. 
• Reach out to local organizations and businesses to explore potential partnerships that can enrich the summer learning experience for students.

What Materials to Expect in the RISE Summer Learning Program

RISE’s curriculum is built on research-backed practices that focus on accelerating learning and closing academic gaps. This ensures that students engage with a rigorous and effective curriculum, addressing unfinished learning from the school year.
The RISE Summer Learning Program simplifies implementation by providing a comprehensive and well-defined set of resources. These fully packaged materials reduce the need for additional planning, making it easier for schools to deliver targeted support to students and help them achieve academic growth.

Rise Provides: 

• Detailed lesson plans
• Caregiver Communications
• Lesson planning templates
• Grading rubrics
• Progress monitoring tools
• Standard Alignment Guides
• Pre- and Post-Assessments
• Professional Development 

The month before a new summer learning program launches is an important time to make sure the program will get off to a good start. Teachers and school leaders need to be prepared to use the curriculum.

Key Actions:

• Develop a training plan to help teachers implement the curriculum and differentiate instruction to varying student learning needs.
• Confirm the availability of all materials and resources for teachers.
• Set up assessment tools and create a plan for administering pre- and post-assessments.

RISE Onboarding Training Prepares Both Teachers and Leaders for Summer School

The RISE Summer Learning Program kicks off with dedicated training weeks for both teachers and school leaders, designed to ensure everyone is fully prepared to implement the program effectively. These sessions are structured to build confidence, deepen understanding, and set a clear vision for the summer ahead.

Teacher Training Focus Areas
RISE offers two distinct tracks for teachers:

• New Teacher Track: Focused on understanding the curriculum and its implementation, providing a solid foundation for those new to RISE.
• Returning Teacher Track: Tailored to help experienced teachers refine their skills, focusing on data analysis and targeted student feedback.

Leader Training Focus Areas 

Leader Training Week precedes Teacher Training Week, providing school leaders with the tools and insights they need to support their teams throughout the summer. The sessions cater to new and experienced leaders, encouraging a blend of best practices and fresh perspectives.

Together, we'll explore:

• Creating an inspiring vision grounded in what your students need
• Supporting your teachers' growth through observation and coaching
• Using student work and data to guide instruction
• Building a warm, collaborative summer learning community
• Keeping everyone - teachers, students, and families - connected and informed

These months mark the transition from preparation to active instruction and ongoing support.

Key Actions:

• Create a welcoming and inclusive environment for students and families during the initial days of the program.
• Use progress monitoring and data analysis tools to track student growth. 
• Regularly observe classrooms and provide teachers feedback and coaching on implementing differentiated instruction and other strategies for supporting all learners.
• Provide teachers support to help students stay on track to meet their learning goals. 
• Use progress monitoring and data analysis tools to track student growth and adjust instruction.
• Designate clear timeframes for post-assessment administration, preferably in the last week of the program. (Make sure that every student who participated in the pre-assessment also takes the post-assessment)
• Address any challenges that arise in real-time. 

RISE Weekly Professional Development and On-Going Coaching

Schools can choose between asynchronous professional development or live, virtual development for their teachers. 

RISE On Demand 

Each week, teachers dive into thoughtfully designed PD sessions. The asynchronous professional learning includes five self-paced modules, each lasting 45 minutes. 

The asynchronous session introduces the week’s focus—topics like differentiated instruction, working with multilingual learners, or using data to guide teaching. Teachers can complete this session at their own pace.

RISE Live 

The live virtual learning includes 5 live virtual training sessions that cover topics similar to asynchronous learning. However, the live learning sessions are where ideas come to life. These meetings allow teachers to dig deeper into the week’s focus, collaborate with peers, and share insights.

RISE Optional Coaching 

Our coaching model focuses on building strong instructional skills, offering tailored guidance, and addressing specific classroom challenges. Coaches work closely with teachers to help them implement best practices, analyze student data, and refine their instructional strategies, ensuring every student receives the support they need to succeed.

Coaching sessions are designed to be collaborative, encouraging teachers to share their experiences, ask questions, and develop practical solutions together.

August is all about reflection and evaluating the summer program, assessing its impact, and planning for future improvements.

Key Actions:

• Conduct a full evaluation of the summer program’s success, reviewing qualitative and quantitative data from student performance, teacher feedback, and family input.
• Analyze data from pre- and post-assessments to measure the impact on student achievement in literacy and math.
• Identify areas for improvement based on feedback and data analysis, and plan adjustments for the next year’s program.
• Share results with stakeholders, including teachers, families, and administrators, to celebrate successes and discuss plans.

RISE Custom Impact Reports for Partner Schools

RISE Summer Learning Program doesn’t just end when the last student walks out the door—it continues with a thorough analysis to help schools understand their successes and pinpoint areas for growth. 

Our partner schools receive a detailed look at student performance using data gathered throughout the summer. These insights will help you to make informed decisions about future strategies and to continue supporting student progress year-round. Each report includes a comprehensive analysis of pre- and post-assessment data, offering a clear picture of how students grew in literacy and math over the summer.

These impact reports are more than just numbers—they’re a way to demonstrate the tangible gains students make during the summer, giving schools concrete data to share with stakeholders.