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Montgomery County Schools update summer programs focused on academically at‑risk and EL students
Summary
District staff updated the Montgomery County School Board on federally and state‑mandated summer learning and a menu of academies targeting economically disadvantaged, nonproficient and English‑learner students; attendance and testing requirements and supports were described.
The Montgomery County School Board on Monday heard an update on the district’s summer programs, including the state‑legislated Summer Learning program for rising kindergarten through ninth‑grade students and a set of career and enrichment academies.
Dr. Kimi Saharski, presenter, told the board the Summer Learning program targets students identified as economically disadvantaged and students who scored nonproficient on state assessments, with a special emphasis on third graders who scored below proficient. “There’s a 90% attendance requirement for the students,” Dr. Kimi Saharski said. She said the district provides transportation and breakfast, lunch and a snack for participating students and administers pre‑ and post‑tests; students who score below proficient are offered a retest before placement decisions are finalized.
The update described several high‑school programs, including credit‑recovery courses and a “High School 101” transition program for students entering ninth grade. Academies and camps listed by Saharski included agriculture at Montgomery Central, media and electronics (“Create Camp”), CITA‑style engineering experiences, MediCamp at Northwest, junior executive/business programming, a digital defenders cybersecurity program, young entrepreneur camp, arts and traditional crafts programs (identified as “Whisk and Stitch”), aviation camps, engineering camps, robotics and Camp Invention. An Extended School Year program is offered for students with disabilities who require ongoing services over the long summer break. English‑learner (EL) summer instruction is offered to students identified through the ELPA21 assessment; the district issues invitations to selected students and concentrates services at specific schools.
Board member Garland asked about third‑grade retention figures; Dr. Luna said the district will provide the data because it was not available at the meeting. The presentation was framed as an informational update; no formal action or vote was taken.
The district said the summer offerings are intended both to address statutory requirements for Summer Learning and to provide multiple pathways — academic remediation, career exposure and enrichment — to reduce learning loss over the break.
