A summer learning program all Alexandria City Public Schools students will be expected to attend is scheduled to start on July 6 and will continue throughout that month.

According to ACPS, summer learning will be offered Monday through Thursday from July 6 to July 31. Pre-K through 8th-grade classes are scheduled to run from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. while high school classes are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Class sizes are expected to be around 25-30 students together in a Zoom call.

The goals of the summer program are to keep students on track for their upcoming classes after missing several months due to COVID-19. According to an FAQ page:

Academic loss during COVID-19 is real. This year, it has the potential to be combined with summer learning loss, too. We don’t want our children to get further behind. It is important that we as a school division do everything we can to ensure students’ learning needs are being met, especially during these unprecedented times. To minimize summer learning loss, we are offering summer learning and enrichment for all students for the first time.

ACPS officials insisted that the classes aren’t mandatory, although parents who did not want their kids enrolled in the classes have to file a form to opt-out. ACPS said there would be no repercussions for opting out. Students also have the option to access pre-recorded lectures throughout the day.

Photo via ACPS/Facebook