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Wakefield Academy reports high summer enrollment, expanded enrichment offerings
Summary
The district’s Wakefield Academy summer program will run at Galvin Middle School with academic, camp and enrichment tracks; administrators reported enrollment and program details and said wait-listed families were accommodated.
Wakefield Public Schools on Tuesday detailed the 2025 Wakefield Academy summer offerings and enrollment numbers to the school committee.
Estelle Burdick, who manages the district’s summer programs, said all programs operate at Galvin Middle School and run Monday through Thursday. The academic program (‘‘Warriors of Wakefield’’) serves rising grades 1–6, focuses on ELA, math and hands-on science, and had 146 students enrolled across eight classrooms. The summer camp for grades K–5 had 198 enrollments with approximately 130–140 students attending daily; the district shifted this year to a single full-day camp model rather than separate half- and full-day options. The district also runs 19 enrichment vendors offering 34 week-long classes, available through grade 8.
Burdick told the committee Wakefield Academy integrates multi-language learner supports and coordinates with the district’s extended school year (ESY) program so students who qualify for ESY receive appropriate services. She said specialty vendors such as Kids Test Kitchen and Wicked Cool Science run enrichment weeks and that themed weeks and hands-on science serve as engagement incentives.
Committee members asked whether any families were turned away; Burdick said there had been a wait list but staff accommodated everyone. Members praised the program’s affordability, range of offerings and partnerships with community instructors and high-school or college aides.
Administrators said the program supports continuity of learning and social skills without dependence on devices, and offers optional PM coverage for ESY families who require full-day programming. There was no committee vote required; the presentation was informational.
