Corpus Christi ISD continues project-based learning model for summer school

Corpus Christi ISD's 2024 summer programs will build on previous years, incorporating project-based learning and enrichment to foster student success.

CCISD’s summer programs are aimed at students who didn’t meet grade-level expectations during the traditional school year based on testing throughout the year and students who could benefit from extra support. The goal is that by the time students start the next school year in the fall, they’ll have reduced their achievement gaps and be better prepared to succeed.

Summer programming focuses on the most critical state standards.

In recent years, CCISD has developed a new summer school model focused on improving student performance through engaging project-based learning and enrichment activities.

"We're really excited to continue to be able to offer the enrichment," summer program coordinator Candi Callas said. "The kids absolutely loved it and the teachers did, too."

In the fall, district staff told the CCISD Board of Trustees the new approach had boosted learning in most grade levels, particularly in reading.

Last year, about 1,400 elementary and 700 middle school students attended. Since 2020-21, the district has invited more students to participate in summer programs compared to summers before the pandemic, hoping to combat learning loss. Summer school enrollment peaked in 2022.

Staff surveys also showed a high level of satisfaction from teachers who participated in last year’s summer programming.

In 2023, high school students earned over 1,800 credits over the summer, more than in 2022, when high school students earned about 1,715 credits. This is despite the fact there were about 775 fewer high school students enrolled in summer programs in 2023.

Sixth and eighth graders showed nearly as much growth in reading over the summer as would normally be expected during a traditional school year. Seventh graders also exceeded expected summer growth expectations in reading.

In math, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth graders all showed growth, often exceeding expected summer growth. But third graders and fourth graders didn’t show the same high levels of growth in math.

"We're still dealing with our COVID gaps there," Callas said.

Callas said the curriculum and instruction team has focused on developing lessons to target the most critical skills for those grade levels this year.

This year’s program is scheduled to start June 10, running from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday until July 11, though there is a July 4 holiday.

The elementary Bridge and Bridge+ program for pre-K through fifth grade will be offered at 12 campuses, with most serving students from across several elementary schools. Each campus will have a counselor.

At the middle school level, summer programming is project-based. Students are placed in humanities and STEM blocks combining several traditional school subjects.

Adkins, Haas, Browne, Baker, Driscoll and Cunningham at South Park middle schools will host the program.

At the high school level, students can take credit recovery courses if they earned below a 70 in a high school credit course. If a student did not successfully pass a STAAR end-of-course assessment, a state requirement for graduation, they can also take an EOC prep course before re-taking the test in June.

The district is also offering a project-based learning credit recovery program for a small number of high school students similar to the humanities and STEM model implemented last year at the middle school level.

"Hopefully it will bring back the love of learning," Callas said.

Students eligible for credit recovery in both biology and algebra or in both English II and World History were invited to the project-based, hands-on learning program.

Students who want to get ahead can also take a credit acceleration course, but there is a tuition cost associated with these courses. All high school programs will be hosted at Moody High School.

More information is available online at https://www.ccisd.us/page/summer-programs-ccisd.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi ISD summer programs combine enrichment, learning