CARLSBAD — While many public schools are forced to close their summer school classes due to statewide budget cuts, the Carlsbad Educational Foundation has found a way to keep them open.
For the first time, ever, the Carlsbad Educational Foundation is introducing its high school summer academy at Carlsbad High School from June 14 to July 22.
On average, classes will last five hours a day.
“There have been very few summer school options provided by public schools for quite some time,” said Valin Brown, CEO of the Carlsbad Educational Foundation. “I am hoping that this will fill a need.”
The summer academy, geared toward 9th to 12th graders, will offer classes ranging up to 6 weeks. Depending on course length, the fee-based sessions vary from $249 to $495.
The roster will provide academic, noncredit college preparatory and sport camp classes.
Brown, though, is quick to point out that the academic portion is not a remedial summer school type of experience in where students need to repeat a given course to graduate on time. Instead, they are advancement credit opportunities.
“What a program like this allows us to do is to take a one or two semester course that would have traditionally have been 18 to 37 weeks during the regular school year, and now, actually do it in a focused, condensed, and rigorous program in a three to six week summer program,” he said.
The core summer academic courses include U.S. history, world history, government, speech and debate, digital photography, and more.
Noncredit college preparatory come in two tiers. The first hones in on SAT test taking skills, while the other is a two-hour course called the High School Guide to College.
The latter will offer students insight into what types of classes they should consider taking in high school, when to apply to colleges, and familiarize themselves with upcoming tests.
“It’s kind of thinking early in the game and to structure your high school experience to be most efficient and productive,” Brown said.
Also on hand will be sport camps in tennis, volleyball, track, soccer and general. Brown describes the camps as a summer training jumpstart.
The academy for high school students will join two other existing summer enrichment programs for younger aged students.
Brown said it was a natural move to branch out to high school grades in where they could offer advanced credits.
“Our hope in the first year is that the program could have a modest $30,000 profit margin,” he said, adding how their profits will benefit the Carlsbad Unified School District through future grants.
The academy, Brown said, is also open to students who are age and grade eligible in surrounding cities. Before enrolling, however, it’s highly recommended for out of town students to speak with their counselor to ensure a credit(s) transfer.
“It (the credit transfer) shouldn’t be a problem for the most part, but that is a question students should ask before they enroll,” he said.
Marjorie Giordani, assistant principal at Carlsbad High School, will serve as site principal for the summer academy. She said she’s delighted that students have the opportunity to take electives such as art and digital photography they may not otherwise be able to juggle during the regular school year semester.
“I think the summer academy is going to be great and I am really looking forward to it,” Giordani said. “I hope people take advantage of it.”
For more information, visit cefacademy.org or call (760) 929-1555.
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