The summer sun and end of the school year bring with them a lot of free time and outdoors fun for our students, but often with an undesired side effect – summer learning loss.
The great news for parents, and yes, students too, is that there are now more exciting, creative and meaningful summer learning opportunities available than ever. Whether the perfect program for your family is a student accelerated learning class or a free adult education class offered through the Aiken County Public School District, or a community-based effort for your student, the time to review the many available options and plan for student success and engagement over the summer months is right now!
Please see below for several listings of the many learning opportunities and activities currently available this summer in Aiken County Public Schools. Visit our ACPSD website at www.acpsd.net, and click on the summer learning link in our announcements section for even more detailed information, or simply click on “Departments” in the channel menu at the top of our home page and select “Summer Learning Opportunities” from among the menu items.
Check back often as even more opportunities and activities as we add to current listings.
ACPSD Summer Learning Opportunities
Check out all the great programs the district is providing to keep our students learning over the summer. The following programs are open to ALL ACPSD Students, with Grade level based on current grade for 2016-17 school year.
4-K and 5-K Students - Waterford Early Learning Summer Enrichment
In just 15 to 20 minutes a day, this virtual program will let you use Waterford’s computer-based, adaptive curriculum at home to keep your child learning over the summer and better prepare them for next year. The program adapts thousands of activities, songs, and books to give your child a unique learning experience tailored to his or her needs. Regional Parent Night events will be held on May 25 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the following locations:
AIKEN ELEMENTARY – Regional Parent Night location for students of Aiken Elementary School, East Aiken School of the Arts, Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School, and Millbrook Elementary School.
HAMMOND HILL ELEMENTARY – Regional Parent Night location for students of Belvedere Elementary School, Hammond Hill Elementary School, North Augusta Elementary School and Mossy Creek Elementary School.
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY – Regional Parent Night location for students of Clearwater Elementary School, Gloverville Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, and Warrenville Elementary School.
NORTH AIKEN ELEMENTARY – Regional Parent Night location for students of Byrd Elementary School, J.D. Lever Elementary School, North Aiken Elementary School, and Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary School.
REDCLIFFE ELEMENTARY – Regional Parent Night location for students of Greendale Elementary School, Redcliffe Elementary School, Chukker Creek Elementary School, and Cyril B. Busbee Elementary School.
If you are unable to attend a Regional Parent Night event, please complete the Parent Consent Form (available on the website), and drop it off at your child’s school. Participation dates are from June 5 – July 28. For additional information, please contact Jaime Creasy (jcreasy@acpsd.net) (803) 663-4204.
1st – 5th Grade Students - Compass Pathblazer Summer Enrichment
Through this virtual program, students will be able to work on individual areas of need in reading and math through the delivery of precise instruction to accelerate student learning. Students who participate daily and maintain at least a 70-percent score will be eligible for weekly prize drawings. The dates for this virtual opportunity are June 5 – August 4 and the contact is Ashlee O’Neal (compass@acpsd.net (803) 641-2684.
7th Grade Students entering English I - iNFUSION Writers
This program was created through an innovative partnership between our ACPSD schools and local businesses in an effort to develop student writers in areas of interest using expository, persuasive, argumentative and research-based genres. iNFUSION students will also be mentored by rising seniors who have successfully completed Advanced Placement Language and Composition. The registration deadline for this online opportunity is May 15, 2017, session dates are June 12 – July 26 and the contact is Fran Altringer (FAltringer@acpsd.net) (803) 641-2477.
7th – 12th Grade Students – Aiken County Virtual Academy (ACVA) Computer Apps/Keyboarding
Middle school and high school students may obtain high school credit through this online class that is FREE of charge. Students will work independently, with an in-person final exam held at Kennedy Middle and North Augusta High upon completion. Registration dates for this virtual course are May 25 to June 8, 2017, session dates are June 12 – July 26 and the contact is Fran Altringer (FAltringer@acpsd.net) (803) 641-2477.
8th-Grade Students in Algebra I - ACVA Geometry Honors
This unique summer learning opportunity allows eighth-grade students currently enrolled in Algebra I Honors to take Algebra 2 Honors as ninth-graders, allowing these students to meet the math requirements for the Governor’s School. The registration deadline for this virtual opportunity is May 15, 2017, session dates are June 12 – July 26 and the contact is Fran Altringer (FAltringer@acpsd.net) (803) 641-2477.
ACPSD Specialized Summer Learning Offerings
The following opportunities also offered by ACPSD are by invitation only or are Course Specific Offerings, with grade level based on current grade for 2016-17 school year.
4-K Students - Countdown to Kindergarten Learning Academy
Students selected for these sessions located at home and at North Aiken, Greendale, Oakwood-Windsor and Ridge Spring-Monetta elementary schools, are referred by 4-K teachers. Session dates are June 5 – July 28.
2nd and 3rd Grade Students - Summer Reading Camp
This exclusive opportunity is for selected students (letters sent home in April), and session locations will include Clearwater Elementary, J.D. Lever Elementary, and Warrenville Elementary from June 12– July 27.
5th and 6th Grade Students - Math Acceleration
This virtual learning opportunity will be required for 5th and 6th grade students entering Pre-Algebra. Session dates are June 1 – July 1.
6th to 8th Grade Students - Summer Math Enrichment
This is an exclusive opportunity for selected students (letters sent home in April), and session dates are June 12 – July 27.
8th and 9th Grade Students - Project Success
Students who need additional support with grades, attendance, and/or discipline will attend sessions at Aiken Middle and Paul Knox Middle on June 12 – July 28.
ACPSD Adult Summer Learning Opportunities
GED/WorkKeys Classes
Where: Byrd Learning Center
When: Tuesday, May 30th – Tuesday, June 20th
Days: Monday through Thursday
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
GED/WorkKeys Classes
Where: Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
When: ON-GOING
Days: Tuesday & Thursday
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Cost: FREE
High School Diploma Completion
Where: Byrd Learning Center
When: Monday, May 22nd – Thursday, June 15th
Days: Monday through Thursday
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
English Second Language
Where: St. Johns United Methodist Church
When: Monday, May 22nd – Thursday, June 8th
Days: Monday through Thursday
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Please contact the Aiken County Adult Education Department at (803) 663-4920 for more information.
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2017 PR SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES