Quincy Public Schools to restore full slate of summer programs, expand special-education and college-credit offerings

Quincy Public Schools administrators told the School Committee on May 7 that the district will run an extensive roster of free summer programs in 2025, restoring a wide range of academic, enrichment, special-education and work-based opportunities after budget uncertainty earlier in the year.

Superintendent and program staff said the district’s offerings include literacy and math “bridging” programs for elementary students, a four-week Quest for Learning STEM enrichment program, middle-school summer-boost academic support, a four-week expanded hands-on STEM program, a Summer Theater Arts Academy, high-school credit-recovery courses, ladders-to-success and Summer Youth Works jobs for older students, and an early-college pathway that allows students to earn up to eight college credits.

Special-education summer programming will be a particular focus. The CARES pre-kindergarten program will run five weeks at the Richter Cristoforo Learning Center (RDLC), and a learning-center program for students older than kindergarten will run half days at Southwest Middle School. Quincy will also host a six-week RDLC program for students who previously required out-of-district placements; that program mirrors longer out-of-district hours. The district highlighted a new iCanBike partnership (a five-day program, sessions of 75 minutes for ages 8 and up) to teach students with disabilities to ride a bicycle; organizers said capacity is limited and registration will open through the iCanBike website.

For high school students, administrators described credit recovery (ELA, science, math and history), walk-in registration dates at both high schools in early July, and the early-college high-school pathway summer academy with new courses added this year (writing for professionals, business ethics and introduction to social work). Mr. Marani, who presented details, said walk-in registration dates will be Tuesday, July 1 at Quincy High School and Wednesday, July 2 at North Quincy High School, both 8:30–11:30 a.m.; programming will start the week of July 7.

Program leaders emphasized that many offerings are free, field trips and guest presenters are included at no extra charge, and the district will continue its free summer lunch program (temporarily moved from Lincoln to Southwest Middle School while kitchen renovations occur). Several committee members asked for clearer grade/band labeling in outreach materials (for example, middle-school programs not being confused with fifth-grade elementary programs at Point Webster) and for explicit information about eligibility and age thresholds on published materials (for example, Summer Youth Works minimum age and credit values).

The superintendent and staff said registration is open on the district web page (they displayed a QR code and a short URL) and that invitations for select, “invite-only” programs have already gone to families. The district will keep registration open through May 31 and monitor capacity, administrators said.

Committee members applauded the district for maintaining robust summer offerings and requested clarifications: publish program times and locations on the central calendar and in school newsletters; confirm minimum ages for youth-work programs (typically 14); make sure middle-school grade ranges are explicit in printed materials; and specify that field-trips carry no additional cost.

Administrators also outlined substantial educator work over the summer: curriculum mapping, Desmos rollout planning, science-pilot pacing alignment and professional development for reading foundations. Staff noted that many teachers will work on curriculum and professional learning during the summer months in addition to running student programs.

Registration links and program brochures are available on the district website; the presenters asked families with questions to contact principals or program coordinators listed in the brochure.