Summer is filled with road trips, barbeques, beach days, and other fun activities. But for children in grades K-12, summer can also mean losing crucial academic progress. A recent study found that elementary school students lost roughly 20 percent of their reading gains from the school year over the summer. For math, they lost 27 percent of what they’d learned during the academic year.

Summer learning loss is a concern for all parents, but parents of children who are neurodivergent or have learning issues should be especially concerned. Their challenges can make these students more susceptible to summer learning losses. Because these children work so hard to progress during the school year, it’s crucial to prevent any losses during the summer months. 

A summer program can keep students engaged without overwhelming them. Read on to learn more about why these programs can help. You’ll also learn about Academics West’s summer program here in New York City. 

The Dreaded “Summer Slide” 

When someone hasn’t done something in a while, we often say that returning to it will be “just like riding a bike.” Even if it’s been a while since your last ride, you’ll get right back into the swing of it. Even if this is true for adults, research shows it is not true for children returning to school after summer vacation. 

The loss of learning over summer break – often called the summer slide – has been extensively studied by education experts. Students can lose up to two months of academic progress in just one summer. Here are a few of the reasons why: 

• Lack of practice. Children learn skills through practice and repetition. The lack of practice over the summer causes their skills to decline. 
• Lack of structure. The school day is structured to promote learning. During the summer, students can make their own choices, but this freedom can lead to mixed results. For example, teachers assign reading throughout the year. However, the number of students who read for fun is fairly low. As such, many students likely won’t read over the summer months.  
• Lack of support. During the school year, teachers help students with their tasks. Without this support, students may be reluctant to try on their own. 

While this is a serious issue, summer learning programs can help. Researchers have found that quality summer learning programs can not only stop the summer slide but also help children build on the skills that they’ve learned. 

How “Summer Slide” Affects Children with Learning Disabilities and Other Challenges 

While all children are affected by summer learning loss, the summer has a unique ability to affect students who are neurodivergent, have learning disabilities, or are facing other learning challenges. One study comparing learning loss between special education students and other students over several years found that special education students lost more skills each summer, causing the gap between them and their peers to more than double between kindergarten and fourth grade. 

The factors that cause traditional students to lose learning over the summer also tend to aggravate disabilities or otherwise make learning more challenging. For example, the lack of structure can be particularly distressing for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, autism, and similar conditions because routine is essential to their success. The lack of structure can also make it harder for students with executive functioning, working memory, and similar concerns to stay organized and motivated. 

Also, many students with IEPs need teacher support to make progress. When that support is removed over the summer, they have an even harder time making headway.

Finally, students lose more than academics over the summer. During the school year, students with social and emotional concerns get support for peer interactions. Without sustained support over the summer, they can lose these skills. 

What Makes the Academics West’s Summer Semester Special?

The Academics West summer semester is designed to help non-typical learners. Our summer program offers a structured, highly supportive environment that provides students with the guidance, support, and social-emotional instruction they need to enter the new school year with confidence. Our program provides:

• Targeted academic support
• Academic enrichment
• Social-emotional learning
• Executive functioning
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• And much more 

Our summer program, like our year-round school, focuses on hands-on learning, project-based activities, and small group instruction. All summer services are provided by expert teachers and counseling staff who are trained in our unique Clinically Informed Academics approach. 

Our program is open to all. Children who might benefit from our program include: 

• Students with learning challenges such as:
  • ADHD
  • Autism 
  • Dyslexia 
  • Executive functioning
  • Non-verbal learning disorder (NVLD)
  • Working memory 
• Students whose emotional concerns affect their academic progress 
• Students with 12-month IEPs
• Students who need to build their academic confidence  
• Students who are twice exceptional 
• Students who would benefit from smaller class sizes and sustained support 

While our summer therapeutic program is open to all, it is not “one size fits all.” We can help students recover credits so they can avoid repeating instruction and stay on track for graduation. On the other hand, students seeking a challenge can take advantage of honors classes and other academic enrichment opportunities. 

Additionally, each program is tailored to the unique needs of high school, middle school, and elementary school students. Middle and high school students can benefit from college guidance, community service opportunities, and more. High school students can choose to take AP courses. Meanwhile, our lower school program day alternates between academic support and social development activities. These skills will be taught while the little ones play in the park. 

Of course, the summer should also be fun! So, in addition to the core elements, our program also provides: 

• Arts classes (e.g., dance and theater)
• Field day
• Weekly field trips 
• Student clubs 
• Spirit Week 

Sign Up for Academics West’s Summer Semester Today! 

The “summer slide” can be scary, but the right summer program can not only stop summer learning loss but also help students grow academically and emotionally. If you’re a parent or caregiver looking for a supportive summer school program in New York City, please consider Academics West’s summer semester. Our wraparound approach is designed to support students with a range of abilities and needs. We know that your child would be a great fit for our program. 

Take a moment to learn more about our school, our approach to education, and our summer program. Please call (917-970-2348) or email our Admissions Office with any questions or to schedule an in-person visit to our Upper West Side campus. See you this summer!