Summer Learning
Summer Learning
Written by Garth Nichols, Assistant Director of Personalized Learning at Greenwood College School and founder of Cohort 21. Read more
Written by Garth Nichols, Assistant Director of Personalized Learning at Greenwood College School and founder of Cohort 21. Read more
Access school reviews, insights, and comparisons through our comprehensive reports below.
These are the leading schools that Our Kids editors have covered most extensively so far, providing detailed insights and thorough analysis of their programs, student life, and more.
"Prestige School offers programs from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 in Toronto. Its average class size is 15 to 20 students.
—From the school
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"LCS combines rigorous academics, immersive outdoor learning, and a caring global community on Canada’s largest waterfront campus, giving teens the confidence, curiosity, and skills to thrive and succeed anywhere.
—From the school
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"Our goal is for our students to understand learning as an outcome in and of itself. Learning that doesn't follow a straight path. And if it gets messy, that's okay, because at SCS it's safe to explore and be who you are.
—From the school
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"At TCS, we believe that healthy habits and universal values developed now go a long way in developing curious, capable, and compassionate individuals ready for what's next.
—From the school
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"At Ridley College, an IB World School and one of the largest boarding schools in Canada, our mission is to teach students a foundation of skills and habits to pursue their dreams and build fulfilling careers.
—From the school
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"This traditional private school in Ottawa offers Grades 4-12 with 100 boarding and 650 day students. Tuition ranges from $38,970 to $84,700. Ashbury excels in academics, co-curriculars, and experiential learning.
—From the school
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"The Bishop Strachan School is a leading independent JK-Grade 12 day & Boarding school for girls. Students build academic skills to thrive at university and beyond. Over $2 million available in financial assistance.
—From the school
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"Prestige School offers individualized programs from pre-school to grade twelve with an average class size of twelve students. Our new induction into the IB program gives our students an added academic advantage.
—From the school
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"Armbrae offers a close-knit, inclusive community with balanced academics, strong arts and athletics, play-based early learning, and real-world enrichment from Preschool to Grade 12—supported by personalized guidance.
—From the school
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"Cambridge Showcase School offering skill-based, globally benchmarked learning in intentionally small classes. Students are known, challenged, and mentored within a focused, close-knit academic community.
—From the school
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"Niagara Christian Collegiate offers Grades 6–12 with day and boarding options in a safe, diverse community along the Niagara River. Our graduates earn top university placements in competitive programs worldwide.
—From the school
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"Crescent School is an independent day school for boys in Grades 1 to 12 in Toronto. Our relational learning environment develops students' character through academics, arts, athletics, business, outreach and robotics.
—From the school
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"Our Beyond the Books approach prioritizes academic success & personal growth, using success to nurture students' confidence & self-esteem to develop a willingness to take risks in the classroom & school activities.
—From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario Leslie/York Mills "La Citadelle teaches French and English as first languages within a Gr. 8 Reach Ahead, IB and AP programme, academically advanced, university-bound, and grounded in a warm community that shapes confident global citizens." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario Don Mill Rd/York Mills Rd "A future-ready learning experience grounded in curiosity, compassion, and courage, combining innovative academics, global perspective, and outstanding facilities." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario York Mills/Leslie "Learning is not one to many. It's many to one. From the teachers to the principal to the coaches and beyond, learning at WillowWood is a team approach." —From the school
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 King City, Ontario Keele St./King Rd. "Villanova College is York Region's only independent Catholic school offering Grades 4 to 12 in King City, Ontario. Average class size is 18 students. Specialty programs include STEM, AP and Domestic ESL." —From the school
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 Ottawa, Ontario Buena Vista Road/Springfield Road "Elmwood School is Ottawa’s leading school for girls from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12. With high academic standards, small classes, and a supportive environment, each girl is known, challenged, and empowered to reach her" —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario York Mills/DVP "Crestwood Preparatory College offers a university preparatory program for students in grades 7 to 12. Crestwood always strive to Inspire Excellence and to Nurture the Individual." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario Yonge/Eglinton "We go beyond curriculum expectations to provide opportunities for students to earn admission into their university of choice using our AP accreditation, staff expertise and individualized goals in small classes." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario Sheppard Avenue East/Highway 401 "Sunray Academy of Canada prepares learners with a personalized high school education (OSSD), empowering them to design their future, pursue global opportunities, and emerge as confident & internationally minded leaders." —From the school
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 Ottawa, Ontario Richmond Rd./John Sutherland Dr. "We drive learners of all ages to ask questions, think critically, solve complex problems collaboratively, and act. Academic success is achieved via dynamic learning, differentiated teaching and meaningful assessments." —From the school
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 Foothills, Alberta Range Road 12/306 Ave W "Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School is an independent, private coeducational, continuum IB (primary, middle, and diploma programme) day school for Kindergarten - Grade 12, located just outside of Calgary, AB." —From the school
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 King, Ontario King Road/Dufferin Street "The Country Day School offers a challenging post-secondary preparatory program for students in JK-12 where our students feel known and welcome. Our 100-acre rural campus is located north of Toronto in King City." —From the school
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 Mississauga, Ontario Dundas St W./Mississauga Rd. "The Erindale Academy is a JK-Grade 12 school located next to the University of Toronto Mississauga. We offer small classes, inquiry-based learning, and strong AI and Leadership programs to prepare students for success." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario "Hopscotch Montessori Toronto is an international boutique school that nurtures global citizens aged 0-12. We foster child-driven independence, academic discovery, creative exploration, and a sustainability mindset." —From the school
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 North York, Ontario Avenue Road/Lawrence Avenue "Through our dynamic individual education plans, mentorship, and therapeutic counselling we ensure all students feel comfortable, respected and cared for, so they stay actively engaged in their educational journey." —From the school
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 Markham, Ontario McCowan Road/Denison Road "Markham, Ontario; IB School; OSSD; OSSD online credit course; NOIC ACADEMY’s annual university enrolment rate is 100% and we have 95.74% of graduates admitted by University of Toronto in 2024." —From the school
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 Mississauga, Ontario "Shining Stars School believes by combining the most conducive, inclusive and safe learning environment and developmentally appropriate curricular supports, our students can succeed!" —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario Don Mills Rd/York Mills Rd "Building on internationally acclaimed preschool reading success, SLI has grown into a hub for ground-breaking student achievement in literary, scientific, coding, and entrepreneurial achievement across Pre-K - Grade 6." —From the school
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 West Vancouver, British Columbia "A Montessori environment nurturing independence and curiosity through a 3-year cycle of hands-on learning, guided discovery, and enrichment including French, music, and outdoor play." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario Avenue Road/St. Clair Ave. "De La Salle College is a Catholic, co-educational, university preparatory school in Toronto from Grade 5 to 12, with an average class size of 20-25 students and tuition at $18,550 - $19, 700." —From the school
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 Etobicoke / Mississauga, Ontario Derry/HWY 27 "Housed in state-of-the-art facilities, we offer a 48-year legacy of providing a perfect learning environment with enriched academic, arts, & athletic programs - inspiring every student to be extraordinary." —From the school
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 Markham / North York, Ontario Don Mills Road/York Mills Road "For over a decade, Merit College has been helping thousands of talented students from local communities and around the world reach their full potential and gain admission to top universities." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario Bathurst St./St. Clair West "Canada’s only independent, Catholic school for boys in Grades 7-12, taught in the Basilian tradition of forming the mind, body, and soul. Since 1852, we have educated students in goodness, discipline, and knowledge." —From the school
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 Belleville, Ontario "Discover an exceptional education. Albert College is an independent boarding and day school for students in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 in Belleville, Ontario. AP offered as well as ESL summer school (OSSD credit)." —From the school
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 Vancouver, British Columbia West Georgia Street/Robson Street "We aim to create the opportunity for students to achieve their learning goals. In collaborative learning spaces, students explore content, ideas and perspectives to better understand the world around them." —From the school
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 Mississauga, Ontario Hurontario/Bronte College Ct "Bronte College integrates rigorous academics, holistic development, and global awareness through STEM education, leadership development, a diverse cultural environment, and inquiry based, hands-on teaching." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario St. Clair Ave West/Avenue Road "Founded on the science of neuroplasticity, Arrowsmith Program provides students with the skills necessary to overcome their learning disabilities and transform their academic, cognitive, emotional and social lives." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario Finch Avenue/Islington Avenue "Nile Academy offers small class sizes and a low student-to-teacher ratio, while also following the Ontario Curriculum, ensuring our students are well prepared for the rest of their educational pursuits here in Canada." —From the school
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 North York, Ontario Bathurst/Wilson "Magnificent Minds reimagines education through a neurodiversity-affirming, whole-child approach that integrates learning, mental health, and skill development in a supportive, low-ratio environment." —From the school
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 North Vancouver, British Columbia Harbourside Drive/ "A globally oriented university-preparatory day and boarding school combining BC academics, diverse perspectives, and structured pathways that evolve with students from Grades 8–12." —From the school
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 Aurora, Ontario St. John's Sideroad/Yonge Street "With a tradition dating back to 1899, St. Andrew's remains the single largest all-boys boarding school in Canada. Our 126-acre campus provides our students with an ideal setting for learning and growth." —From the school
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 Nepean, Ontario "R.I.S.E. Academy empowers youth with personalized, experiential learning rooted in equity and the UN SDGs.We focus on inquiry-based, culturally relevant education that fosters creativity, leadership, and community impact" —From the school
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 Summerland, British Columbia "UNISUS blends an IB education with personalized learning, Scholar-Athlete Academie, Enrichment Programs & weekend boarding adventures within a supportive, close-knit community; inspiring growth beyond the classroom." —From the school
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 Ottawa, Ontario Carling Avenue/Broadview Avenue "Phoenix Private Academy offers elementary education to students with ASD and other exceptionalities, maintaining small teacher to student ratios. We promote strong academic, physical and social-emotional development." —From the school
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 Richmond Hill, Ontario Weldrick Road/Yonge Street "Flexible program for driven students balancing academics with demanding pursuits like athletics or music, supporting disciplined, resilient individuals committed to progress and excellence." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario Bloor St/St. George St "Keystone School offers a globally minded, project-based education in a supportive, close-knit environment—empowering students to think critically, lead confidently, and learn with purpose." —From the school
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 Vancouver, British Columbia Arbutus St/W14th Ave "Asland Learning Academy supports children ages 2.5–14 through early learning, tutoring, languages, STEM, camps, and self-management programs that build confidence, character, and academic growth." —From the school
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 Bradenton, Florida(USA) "IMG Academy is the world's leading sports education brand, providing access and opportunity for student-athletes with an innovative suite of on-campus and online programming." —From the school
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 Burlington, Ontario Hwy 6/Dundas Street "Laureate’s whole‑brain, cross‑curricular and collaborative project‑based culture, enriched by gifted arts and co‑op programs, offers a forward learning pathway backed by 100% university acceptance rate to date." —From the school
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 Montreal, Quebec Rue Sherbrooke/Ave Connaught "College Prep International, a traditional private school in Montreal, offers English instruction with partial French immersion, for grades five to twelve. Its average class size range from 12 to 18 Students." —From the school
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 North York, Ontario Dufferin St/Finch ave "Bright Start Academy empowers elementary/secondary students with learning challenges. We offer small classes, 1:1 support & credit courses for academic independence and success." —From the school
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 St. Catharines, Ontario Ontario St./Welland Ave. "Heuristic & autodidactic, inspired by Sudbury & democratic models. Students are self-directed, and holistically empowered. Voluntary attendance, year-round calendar, agency, & consent inspire free learning. Also Forest" —From the school
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 Richmond, British Columbia "Chaoyin Bilingual School, an IB PYP candidate school, offers K-7 STEM-based education with a unique Mandarin language program. The school focuses on fostering independent, confident learners ready for global engagement." —From the school
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 Milton, Ontario "At Oxford Learning Academy, our teachers will use the proven scientific approach of Cognitive Development to teach our students new ways of thinking and understanding what they are learning and how they are learning." —From the school
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 Etobicoke, Ontario "Quo Vadis offers a dynamic trilingual Polish-English-French program within a Catholic environment. The school prioritizes academic excellence, self-esteem, and the formation of well-rounded, responsible individuals." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario Yonge St/Sheppard Ave "Ontario Virtual School is an Ontario Ministry-inspected credit-granting institution offering Grades 6-12 courses in an interactive online format. Students can start anytime with 24/7 access." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario Don Mills/York Mills "Westfield is a focused, future-driven private school for ambitious students. We offer rigorous academics, elite university prep, and a high-performance culture for families who value discipline, excellence, and outcomes." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario Yonge St/Lawrence Ave "Blyth Academy has five Ontario campuses offering programming in-person and virtual. As part of the Globeducate network, students benefit from world class academics, personalized learning and global opportunities." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario Yonge/Sheppard "25 Years of Academic Excellence. Wise Owl stands apart with small class sizes, a rigorous curriculum, and a nurturing culture that develops character, leadership, academic excellence, and the whole child." —From the school
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 Sherbrooke, Quebec "Bishop's College School is an English boarding and day school for students in grades 7 through 12. Small in size and culturally diverse, BCS is an IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme and Canadian curricula." —From the school
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 Ottawa, Ontario "Our mission is to provide students with the support they deserve to enable them to reach their full academic potential. This solid foundation equips students to confidently pursue their desired post-secondary paths." —From the school
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 North York, Ontario Leslie Street/401 "Enriched STEM, Arts, and AP learning environment with individualized programming, small classes, and personalized support built around each student’s strengths, university goals, and future success." —From the school
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 Merrickville, Ontario "Our small class sizes, dynamic club programs, and house-based community activities ensure that every student feels a sense of belonging at Fulford Academy. Whether they are boarding or day students, all individuals know" —From the school
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 Oxford, Oxfordshire "St Clare’s, Oxford is England’s oldest IB World School, inspiring globally minded students through academic excellence, leadership, independence and exceptional university preparation." —From the school
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 Rothesay, New Brunswick Rothesay Rd/College Hill Rd "Our unique, daily Advisor Program ensures every student is surrounded by a strong network of highly qualified, dedicated faculty and staff whose mission is to provide academic, emotional, and social guidance and support." —From the school
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 Aurora, Ontario St. John's Sideroad/Shining Hill Way "Girls at St. Anne's thrive in an inspirational and progressive learning environment. The school’s focus on STEM/STEAM, community giving, leadership, and wellness develops well-rounded, global-minded citizens." —From the school
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 Calgary, Alberta "Academy is strengths-based for neurodiverse learners. Collegiate is for those learning at or above grade-level. Blended+ is personalized for Grades 9-12 that empowers them to learn in-person, hybrid, and off-campus." —From the school
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 Whitby, Ontario Garden Street/Hwy. 2 "Whether exploring science and technology, creating art, or competing in athletics, there is nothing a Trafalgar girl can't handle." —From the school
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 Aurora, Ontario St. John Sideroad/Yonge St. "Aurora Montessori delivers an enriched Montessori program that builds strong academic foundations, critical thinking, and independence, while developing adaptive, future-ready skills in a supportive community." —From the school
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 Montreal, Quebec De Maisonneuve West/Park Row West "At Kells, flexibility is key. We develop programs allowing students to work within their comfort zone, which may be above, below or at grade level. The result is students who outperform even their own expectations." —From the school
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 North York, Ontario 401/404 "NYA pairs rigorous academics with personalized counselling, US university credit options, and global pathways. 100% grad rate; 90% to Canada’s top-10. A diverse, caring community that grows character and ambition." —From the school
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 Scarborough, Ontario McCowan/Lawrence Ave E. "Future Hope Academy develops confident learners, athletes, and leaders through faith, academic excellence, mentorship, and community service in a Christ-centred environment." —From the school
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 Richmond Hill, Ontario "A place where every learner is seen, heard and empowered to make an impact in their communities. An unparalleled online learning experience, providing academic excellence, experiential learning and personalized support." —From the school
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 Vaughan / Woodbridge, Ontario "At Vaughan College instructions are embedded with strategies appropriate to the students' unique needs. We develop students' confidence and their urge to do better, which results in a high university acceptance rate." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario University Ave./Dundas street "CMPS is a faith-based, academically rigorous community blending Montessori and traditional methods to inspire a love of learning, strong character, and confident leadership from Preschool to Grade 12." —From the school
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 North York / Port Hope, Ontario York Mills Rd/Don Mills Rd "We inspire global learners through a rigorous IB & AP programs, nurturing curiosity, confidence, and character. In a small-class setting, each student receives individual attention to excel and lead globally." —From the school
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 Edmonton, Alberta Groat Road/107 Avenue "Progressive Academy's programs inspire students from preschool to grade 12 in Edmonton, Alberta. Wonderful faculty, wide range of experiential opportunities and high expectations ignite a desire to learn." —From the school
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The summer provides an excellent respite from the direct, intense learning during the academic year, and one that is essential for both students and teachers alike. I have written before about the importance of learning over the summer, and have written about incredible programs, like Toronto Brigantine, that expose kids to different types of learning, but I haven't really written about the wherefore and whys of what this type of learning can look like. I was inspired by Harris Cooper's statement that, "We need to dispense with romanticized notions associated with the traditional summer break, look at what's really going on, and consider the consequences. Lots of kids get bored over summer."1
What does summer learning mean?
Harris Cooper, Professor at the University of Michigan-Columbia, states that "We found that kids do forget over the summer. Across the board, all kids lose some math skills."2 To this end, educators talk about summer learning as a less direct, less intense style of learning that is child-centered, more emergent (based on their interests) but still supports the basic academic skills of reading, writing, math and science.
Summer Learning is self or parent monitored. The parents' role is to encourage, inspire, create opportunities, and/or interact with their child(ren) throughout the summer months, but leave the learning to them. There is no marking, no assessment, just good conversation and reflection. The summer learner can track their learning through blogging, tweeting, or writing in a journal.
Why is summer learning important?
It is important for a few reasons. Firstly, in the minds of parents, it is to prevent a plateau or decline of hard earned knowledge and skills. Students work in a learning cycle where their intake of knowledge and skills is practiced, assessed, reinforced and then evaluated. The results of this can diminish over time once this cycle has stopped for the summer. Active learning and practice of reading, writing, math and science can help decrease this effect.
For our students on summer break, we want to instill the habits and disposition that learning is a life-long pursuit, and something that is possible at any and all times. Consider these two important research findings from Today: Parenting: "On average, students lose approximately 2.6 months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills during the summer months. Research shows that teachers typically spend between 4 to 6 weeks re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer."3
When and where does it happen?
Summer learning can happen anywhere in the real world, or digital world. It can happen day, night, or over the period of the week. It is really about setting up these opportunities. Summer camps, like Kilcoo, offer unique, single-sex experiences ranging from two weeks to a month for almost any age group. There are excellent camps in cities as well, that utilize parks, paths and streams. Or, you can take part in a Jane's walk, or visit places of historical interest.
Want to keep your child busy and their mind engaged this summer? Find summer education camps and programs near you. →
How can you make it happen?
There are many ways that parents and kids make learning happen over the summer. Here's a list that I've created using the scale of simple to more complex:
|
READING |
WRITING |
MATH |
SCIENCE |
Simple: |
Read aloud to your child(ren) and ask them comprehension questions. Don't forget, reading doesn't mean just a book: blogs, newspapers, pamphlets, magazines are all valuable sources of reading material. |
Write a postcard to your teacher about what you've read or where you've been. |
Play "concentration" or simple card games like "Go Fish", or use a deck of cards like flash cards. Don't forget that math is a lot about pattern recognition, so look for those throughout your day. |
Pose questions about the world around you: "Why do sunflowers change positions?" or simply open a bottle of pop and ask why it explodes! |
Moderate: |
Read a book and then add it to or comment on it on goodreads.com |
Help them capture moments and create a story using scrapbooking, or the mobile app Flipagram Keep a journal where they answer a question a day that they, or you, pose. |
Take your kids grocery shopping and count apples, total costs, and more! On your way to a destination, use the highway markers to calculate distance to go, and even time to destination. Make a calculator a necessary road trip item! |
Visit Super Simple Science5 and create a tornado, or a soft-shelled egg that you can eat! Make dinner, and teach them the principles of cooking, boiling, and baking. |
Complex: Requires much pre-planning, time and materials |
Make a mini-novel. Take their favourite book and help them rewrite it into a mini-version: 1) Use blank pieces of paper that are folded into four. Do this 3 times, and place each folded piece inside the next |
Plan a field trip with them. This can be a more expensive endeavor, so help them plan the trip in advance by writing an itinerary. Then, follow up with photos taken during the trip, and then write a review on the destination's website, or on a related trip website like Yelp. |
Get them interested in sports. If they play, get them to tell you what happened in the game by the numbers - teammates numbers, number of passes they made, shots they took, etc… Or, if they don't play, check out how to read a baseball box score6. |
Plant a garden and monitor the water, environment and temperature in a journal, and predict your findings. Read "Barthlolmew and the Oobleck" by Dr. Suess and then create your own. It's a story about climate change that is great for asking and answering questions about the environment. To make Oobleck, just Google it! Here is the Youtube7 and here is a great lesson with questions included8. |
I believe that regardless of the nature of what you choose to do, whether simple or complex, or somewhere in between, it is important that the summer learner is given time to reflect on what they've accomplished. In their paper entitled "Learning by Thinking: How Reflection Aids Performance," a team of researchers from HEC Paris, Harvard Business School, and the University of North Carolina state that when a student reflects by "taking time after a lesson to synthesize, abstract, or articulate the important points…It truly is possible, they conclude, to learn "smarter, not harder"—teachers, trainers, and tutors just have to add a little reflection to their lessons"4. That means that those discussions over dinner, or on the road trip can be some of the most valuable times for family bonding, and for thinking and reflecting.
The research shows that the summer slide in skills and content knowledge is a real thing. I've tried to give you some ideas of how to reduce its effect; however, it is ultimately about creating a life-long love of learning. Parents shouldn't be looking to constantly challenge their children, nor should they let them explore aimlessly. It is about establishing a balance of relaxation and fun, with learning. The most important question that parents can ask themselves as they get ready for summer is along the lines of 'How can I keep my child curious and asking questions?'
If you have any questions or other ideas, please connect with Garth Nichols @Think_Teach or www.cohort21.com
Happy summer learning!
Works cited
1"More than a Hunch: Kids Lose Learning Skills over Summer Months." National Summer Learning Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2014.
2 Ibid.
3 "Stanch Your Kid's Summer Learning Loss." TODAY.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2014.
4 "Study: You Really Can 'Work Smarter, Not Harder'" The Atlantic. Web. 19 May 2014.
5 "Kidz Zone Super Simple Science Section'" Web. 28 May 2014.
6 "Baseball Line Score'" Sport Spectator. Web. 28 May 2014.
7 "Dancing Ooblek'" YouTube. Web. 28 May 2014.
8 Thiesen, Cheryle. "Investigating Matter, Solid or Liquid: Barthlowmew and the Ooblek'" Minnesota Science Teachers Education Project. Web. 23 May 2014.
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