The National Summer Learning Association says “all young people experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer…[and] most students lose about two months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer month.” The organization says that low-income students experience greater losses. As a mother of a elementary school student, I’ve been thinking about programs to keep my daughter on track. I also remember being in high school and forgetting many of the skills learned in Algebra class. Tucson offers educational summer classes for kids preschool to high school.
The Academy of Tucson
Middle School, 7310 E. 22nd Street, Tucson, AZ 85710
10720 E. 22nd Street, Tucson, AZ 85748
520-733-0096
The Academy of Tucson offers summer programs for middle school and high school students who need help with mathematics and English. The Language Arts and Math for the Struggling Student offers courses for 5th- to 8th-grade students. The course is designed to reinforce math and language arts skills or help kids failing these classes. The class takes place from July 11-22, Monday through Thursday mornings. You pay $200 for each course.
The English and Mathematics programs for high schoolers BYU courses that help kids trying to make up high school credit. The courses last from June 6-17, and students attend classes Monday through Friday mornings. These courses are also $200.
Castlehill Country Day School
3225 N. Craycroft Road, Tucson, AZ 85712
520-760-0008
Castlehill Country Day School offers three educational programs for elementary school students. Its Sensational Science Summer Camp offers one-, two- and three-week courses for kids in grades 2-5. The school schedules the program Monday through Friday afternoons from May 30 to June 17. One-week courses cost $185, two-week courses cost $370 and three-week programs cost $555.
The school has two summer reading programs, one for students entering 1st grade and one for students entering 2nd and 3rd grades. The 1st grade reading program helps children become confident readers and build on basic reading skills. It is scheduled in the afternoons. The reading program for kids entering 2nd and 3rd grade teaches comprehension and fluency, and fortifies writing skills. It is scheduled for the mornings. Both programs are from May 30-June 10 and cost $200 per week.
Sylvan Learning Center
7350 E. Speedway, No. 101, Tucson, AZ 85710
520-290-6877
5425 N. Oracle Road, No. 135, Tucson, AZ 85704
520-531-0431
Sylvan Learning Center offers the Summer at Sylvan for children 4 ½ years of age to high school age. Its individualized programs cover a lot of subject areas, including reining, writing math and study skills. High school students can take SAT/ACT prep courses. Sylvan has classes Monday-Saturday in the mornings and afternoons. Each course costs $42-$48 per hour.
Tutoring Club
4772 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718
520-299-8899
Tutoring Club has classes for children 5 years old and older. Amazing Math for 7- to 18-year-old students offers individualized programs. The courses cover basic math, algebra and geometry. Rx Reading is designed for children 5 to 13 years old and teaches them phonetics, vocabulary and reading comprehension. Summer Bridge courses for 7th- to 12th-graders takes place Monday-Thursday from June 6-August 4. Bridge courses include reading, mathematics, science and Spanish. Write this Way teaches children how to write an essay from outline to finished product. All of these classes are Mondays-Thursdays and start at $40 per hour.
Tutoring Club’s SAT/ACT preparation courses for 9th to 12th graders teaches students how to study for the tests and achieve higher scores. Instructors use real tests to help students prepare for the examinations. SAT/ACT courses cost $945. School Tools for 13- to 18-year-old students teaches time management skills and shows them how to study more effectively. School Tools costs $995.
UA Summer Institute for Writing
1201 E. Helen St., Tucson, AZ 85721
520-621-5849
The UA Summer Institute for Writing is a free writing improvement program at the University of Arizona. Kids 14 to 18 years old learn how to improve their critical thinking skills and write effective essays. The all-day program takes place Monday-Friday July 11-29.
Tucson provides classes for all educational levels, whether they are just starting school or moving into higher education. These summer programs help kids stay on top of their school work so that they don’t lose what they’ve learned during the summer months. Kids also learn skills that help them improve their study techniques and time management when the school year resumes.
