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Norfolk outlines free summer programming and credit recovery; division reports modest test-score gains for participants
Summary
The board heard plans for Summer Stars and other summer programs that will offer tuition-free remediation, enrichment and credit recovery across elementary, middle and high schools. District data presented showed reading gains for about half of participating students and lower gains in math.
Doctor Pohl presented an overview of Norfolk Public Schools’ summer programs for 2025 and said the division will again offer a range of no-cost options for students from pre-K through high school.
What’s offered: Summer Stars will provide elementary programming at 13 sites and middle-school programming consolidated at one middle-school site this year for cost and transportation efficiency. The district said its pre-K summer literacy camp — offered to pre-K 4 students preparing for kindergarten — is unique in the region. Elementary offerings include basic skills, behavior/social-skills supports, extended-school-year (IEP-driven) services and Camp Einstein (pre-algebra preparation). Middle-school programs include remediation, algebra readiness, a summer arts academy and English-learner newcomer programming.
High-school offerings: In-person high-school summer school will use a hybrid model: students attend in person two days a week and participate in synchronous online instruction two days a week. Virtual Virginia will be used for students seeking initial credit courses; virtual credit recovery will have teacher assistance daily. The district said it will continue AP summer academies, credential boot camps, work-based learning and GED preparation.
Access and equity: Pohl said programs will be free of charge and that the district can activate personal MiFi devices if a family lacks home internet access; Chromebooks will be distributed at summer sites on the first day.
Outcomes data presented: Pohl cited division data from summer 2024 showing that 50.7% of students enrolled in summer reading programs showed improvement from spring to fall assessments; in mathematics 35.1% of those enrolled showed spring-to-fall improvement. The district said these results were in line with expectations and that summer programming helps students regain or maintain skills.
No vote was required. Board members asked whether extended-school-year eligibility for students with disabilities had changed (Pohl said it remains IEP-driven) and whether summer offerings would support students off track for the advanced-studies diploma (Pohl described credit-recovery and Virtual Virginia options). The administration said registration had closed May 8 and that the district will continue to partner with community organizations such as United Way for extended learning at particular sites.
