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Chandler Unified proposes Summer Academy overhaul after low enrollments and outside competition
Summary
District staff proposed a consolidated 'Summer Academy' to simplify registration, reduce inconsistent fees, expand Title I-supported elementary recovery/enrichment, and restructure high-school credit recovery to shorter sessions; staff reported specific enrollment and completion data and said fees are charged only after successful completion.
Chandler Unified School District staff told the board they will consolidate disparate summer offerings under a single Summer Academy brand to address declining enrollment, inconsistent fees and administrative burdens, and to improve access for Title I students.
District data showed a mixed picture across program types: Lift Lab had 38 unique courses with 152 students and an 86% completion rate; in-person summer credit recovery reported 270 course attempts and a 97% success rate (262 completions); the Chandler online program offered 44 courses and served 3,835 students with a 93% pass rate. Staff said uneven fees ($80—$225) and differing registration platforms created barriers that pushed families to outside providers.
For elementary students, Patty Fernandez said the district will run K—6 Summer Academy at Conley Elementary with Title I funding covering free breakfast and lunch, longer academic days (8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) and on-site enrichment from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. She said the district received 416 requests for the elementary program, has hired staff to enroll 320 students and currently maintains a 96-student wait list while continuing recruitment and hiring efforts.
Destination College, a fifth-grade program at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, will continue as a college-exposure opportunity (staff noted a June 11 experience this year), and the district is partnering with ASU and industry to provide guest speakers and campus experiences.
Renee Sweden described secondary changes: junior-high in-person credit recovery will emphasize research-based lit camp approaches and structured instruction; the high-school model moves to shorter modular sessions (session one June 1—10 to cover semester 1), and tuition fees for credit recovery will not be assessed until program completion (the fee is waived if the student passes). Staff also outlined a semiconductor summer camp in partnership with industry.
Operational changes include switching registration to Qualtrics/Qualrix integrated with Infinite Campus to simplify family access and allow communication with wait-listed families. Business services will apply fees only at program completion so successful students are not charged up front; unresolved fees for students who fail may be pursued through standard collection processes.
Board members asked about outreach to wait-listed families and the logistics of refunding/assessing fees; staff said they are sending updates to families and will use phone calls as well as email. The board also encouraged in-district options for popular half-credit courses such as health to prevent students from going to outside providers.
