• 2024 Summer Programs 

    • Summer Learning

      We have several summer learning opportunities. This includes fee-based as well as free summer enrichment camps. This year, we are also offering summer recovery programs for grades 3, 8, and 12. These programs are designed for students to meet the requirements needed to be promoted to the next grade level. They will  operate from June 10 - July 19, 2024.

        Summer Recovery - Elementary Program

        • Program: Elementary Summer Recovery Program (Gr.3)

          Description: This program is for current third grade students who need recovery to be promoted to fourth grade in accordance with state law. Florida law [section 1008.25(5), Florida Statutes (F.S.)] states that third-graders who do not have a score of Level 2 or above on the statewide Florida Standards Assessment - English Language Arts (FSA-ELA) must be retained (not promoted to grade 4). 

          Registration: Eligible students will be contacted by their school to register

          Dates of program: June 10 - July 19, 2024

          Hours: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

          Transportation: Provided to zoned school

          Contact: Michele Green; greenm2@duvalschools.org

          Elementary Program Host Sites:

          • Greenfield
            • The following schools will attend this host site: Bartram Springs, Beuclerc, Crown Point, Englewood, Greenland Pines, Hendricks, Hogan Spring Glen, Kings Trail, Loretto, Love Grove, Mandarin Oaks, San Jose, Spring Park, Twin Lakes
          • Lake Lucina
            • The following schools will attend this host site: Arlington, Arlington Heights, Brookview, Don Brewer, Fort Caroline, Holiday Hill, Lone Star, Parkwood Heights, Southside Estates, Windy Hill, Woodland Acres
          • North Shore
            • The following schools will attend this host site: Andrew Robinson, Biscayne, Garden City, Highlands, Long Branch, Louis Sheffield, New Berlin, Northwestern Legends, Oceanway, Pine Estates, San Mateo, Susie Tolbert
          • Rufus Payne
            • The following schools will attend this host site: Dinsmore, George W Carver, Pickett, Rutledge Pearson, SA Hull, Sallye B Mathis
          • Jacksonville Heights
            • The following schools will attend this host site: Chaffee Trail, Chimney Lakes, Crystal Springs, Enterprise, Gregory Drive, Mamie A Jones, Normandy Village, Thomas Jefferson, Westview K8, Whitehouse
          • Timucuan
            • The following schools will attend this host site: Bayview, Cedar Hills, Fishweir, Hidden Oaks, Hyde Park John Stockton, Ortega, Sadie Tillis, Venetia
          • Biltmore
            • The following schools will attend this host site: Annie R Morgan, Central Riverside, Pinedale, Ramona, Reynolds Lane, Ruth Upson, West Riverside
          • Atlantic Beach
            • The following schools will attend this host site: Abess Park, Alimacani, Anchor Academy, Chets Creek, Kernan Trail, Mayport, Neptune Beach, Sabal Palm, Seabreeze, Waterleaf

        Summer Recovery/Credit Acquisition - Secondary Program

        • Program: Secondary Credit Acquisition Program (Gr8 & Gr12)

          Description: This six-week program assists students in need of credit hours to be promoted to the next grade. Specifically, the middle school program serves current 8th graders needing one to two credits to be promoted to high school. The high school program serves current 12th grade students who need up to two credits for graduation.

          Registration: Eligible students will be contacted by their school to register

          Dates of program: 

          • Middle School: June 10 - July 19, 2024
          • High School: Varies by Site

          Hours: 

          • Middle School: 9:30 AM - 4:15 PM
          • High School: Varies by site

          Transportation:

          • Middle School: Provided to zoned school
          • High School: Not provided

          Contact: Mark Ertel; ertelm@duvalschools.org

          Program Host Sites:

          • High School: Individual Sites as needed
          • Middle School:
            • Stilwell
              • The following schools will attend this site: Baldwin, Charger Academy, Lake Shore, Westview K8, Westside
            • Mandarin Middle
              • The following schools will attend this site: duPont, Southide, Twin Lakes
            • Springfield
              • The following schools will attend this site: Highlands, Ribault, Matthew Gilbert, Oceanway
            • Landmark
              • The following schools will attend this site: Arlington, Fletcher, Kernan, Mayport

        Extended School Year

        • Program: Extended School Year

          Description: This 19-day program supports students with disabilities in grades PK-12th who are in the district's Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Program. For these students, this program is a continuation of the school year.

          Registration: Eligibility for this program is determined by the IEP Team. Please reach out to your child’s ESE teacher if you have questions about eligibility. IEP teams may recommend one of the following models:

          • Model A - Home Activities provided 
          • Model B - Related Services Only
          • Model C - Direct full-day services
          • Model D - Uniquely Designed Program of Instruction

          Dates of program: June 24 - July 19, 2024

          Hours: Varies by site

          Transportation: Provided

          Contact: Amy Valentine; beliakoffa@duvalschools.org

          Program sites: Alden Road, Mandarin Oaks, Mount Herman, Neptune Beach, Oak Hill, Palm Avenue, SP Livingston, Westview K-8, YMLA/YWLA

        ESOL Summer Program

        • Program: ESOL Summer Maintenance Program

          Description: The ESOL Summer Maintenance Program is a six-week program that offers currently enrolled ESOL students in grades K through 12th the opportunity to enhance their English language acquisition skills. It provides students opportunities to participate in rigorous and engaging learning activities related to social, academic, and culturally responsive experiences.

          Registration: Eligible students will be contacted by their school to register

          Dates of program: June 10 - July 19, 2024

          Hours: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

          Transportation: Provided to zoned school

          Contact: Ingrid Carias; cariasi1@duvalschools.org

          Elementary Program Sites: Beauclerc, Kings Trail, Ortega, San Matea, Waterleaf

          Secondary Program Sites: Ed White, Englewood High

        Fee-Based Summer Camps

        • Program: Fee-Based Summer Camp

          Description: This a fee-based summer camp program that provides enrichment and recreational activities.  See camp fees here.

          Registration: https://dcps.duvalschools.org/Page/34582. No registration deadline. Seats remain open until they are filled. 

          Dates of program: June 10 - July 26, 2024

          Hours: 8:00AM – 5:00PM (morning extended care 7AM-8AM and afternoon extended care 5PM-6PM) 

          Days: Monday - Friday

          Transportation: Not Provided

          Contact: Chanthony Boyd; boydc2@duvalschools.org 

          Summer Camp Sites: https://dcps.duvalschools.org/Page/34580

        Non Fee-Based Summer Camps

        • Program: Non Fee-Based Summer Camp. These camps are also known as "KHA Team Up Summer Camps." 

          Description: This a free (Note: Boys & Girls Club Sites require a $28 registration fee), six-week summer camp program that provides enrichment and recreational activities. https://dcps.duvalschools.org/Page/34576

          Registration and site locations: https://dcps.duvalschools.org/Page/34588. No registration deadline. Seats remain open until they are filled. 

          Dates of program:

          • Boys & Girls Club Sites: June 17 - July 26, 2024 (*$28 Registration Fee)
          • All Other Sites: June 10 - July 19, 2024

          Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

          Days:  Monday - Friday

          Transportation: Not Provided

          Contact: Chanthony Boyd; boydc2@duvalschools.org 

           

        Summer Meals

        • Free Meals for Children: Free breakfast and lunch meals will be provided for children attending the following district summer programs: VPK, Elementary Summer Recovery, Seoncdary Credit Acquisition, ESOL Summer Maintenance, and Extended School Year.  Additionally, through the Summer BreakSpot program, children ages 18 and under can receive free breakfast and lunch meals at multiple school and non-school locations during the summer.

          Dates & Times: Vary by location

          Summer BreakSpot Locations: There will be multiple school and non-school locations where free breakfasts and lunch meals are served. To find a location near you: 

          Summer Menus: Information coming SOON!

          Summer Program Dietary Restrictions info: If your child is attending a summer program and has a documented food allergy on file with Chartwells, contact our dietitians at 904-693-7676 x1004 or x1002. 

           

        Summer Program Transportation

        • Summer Routes: Summer school transportation is provided for select summer programs. Contact your home school or summer program site for bus route information.

          Transportation Summer Contact: Transportation staff can be reached at 904-858-6200. Their summer office hours are Monday - Friday; 6:00 AM - 5:30 PM. When calling with a question or concern, please have the following info ready: 

          • Name of Summer Program School Site
          • Route Number
          • Home Address
          • Bus Stop Location

          Parents of Current Kindergartners: If you are planning for your child to ride the bus for a district summer program, you will need to complete a Kindergarten Bus Dismissal Form. This form indicates how you want your child to be picked up after the bus drops them off at their bus stop. These forms are distributed by your child's summer school site.

        Top Tips for Preventing Summer Learning Loss

        •  

          Preventing summer learning loss. Student in classroom smiling

           

          School’s out for the summer, and for most, it’s a time for rest and relaxation. Though academics are likely the last thing on students’ minds, experts say preventing summer learning loss should be a household priority.   

          “Helping our families keep their students engaged in reading and math activities over the summer helps students maintain the learning from the previous school year,” says Dr. Brandie Berry, Duval County Public Schools Director of K-12 Literacy. 

          Thankfully, sustaining your child’s academic progress doesn’t have to be difficult or boring. By implementing a few simple strategies, Dr. Berry says parents can help students remain engaged and ready for the fall.  

          What is summer learning loss?  

          Also known as “summer slide,” summer learning loss refers to the academic skills students forget over summer break. According to research:  

          • Summer learning losses tend to be much higher in math, with students losing about 2.6 months of learning.  
          • As students get older, setbacks are more substantial and harder to overcome. 

          District leaders note that students entering third grade are particularly vulnerable because learning benchmarks and expectations become significantly more complex.  

          “When we start to get into third grade, the cognitive demand for students in ELA (English and Language Arts) and in math really ramps up,” adds Dr. Berry.  

          It’s for these reasons – and many more – experts say parents must take a proactive approach to their children’s education, even during the summer.  

           

          Preventing Summer Learning Loss. Students working together

           

          Top summer-learning strategies for students and parents  

          Slowing down the summer slide is as easy as incorporating simple activities into your family’s regular routine. Below, we’re breaking down our experts’ top summer learning strategies in reading and in math. 

          Summer reading and writing activities 

          Dr. Berry says the key to engaging students in reading and writing is to keep things enjoyable and organic.  

          “We’re not wanting to have them do a lot of worksheets and things like that. We look for opportunities where families can have fun together.” 

          #1 – Read for fun, and ask questions 

          One of the most successful reading strategies parents can adopt in preventing summer learning loss is to help their students pick out books they want to read. Dr. Berry advises parents to encourage students to read books about subjects that interest them.  

          As students read their books, parents can help strengthen reading comprehension by asking probing questions, such as:  

          • What is the book about? 
          • What is your favorite part?  
          • What is your least favorite part? 
          • What have you learned? 
          • How does this make you feel? 
          • What do you think will happen next?  

          #2 – Encourage writing and journaling  

          Writing regularly is equally important to maintaining students’ academic progress. Students can remain active in their writing by engaging in day-to-day activities that include: 

          • Composing emails 
          • Writing grocery lists 
          • Sending letters to friends or family members 

          Journaling is another powerful tool to sharpen writing skills. For instance, starting a vacation journal gives students a chance to express themselves and describe unique experiences. Students can also journal about non-vacation activities such as spending time with friends or going to the park.  

          #3 – Take advantage of summer reading lists  

          In need of age-appropriate book ideas? Dr. Berry suggests reaching out to your child’s school or reviewing their website for recommended titles or summer reading assignments. As an added bonus, Duval County Public Schools provides a Summer Reading Resource with suggested books categorized by grade and aligned to the state’s benchmarks.  

           

          Summer math activities 

          Research affirms that “math anxiety” among parents is real, leaving many to believe they lack the skills to help their children. But Cindy Berahzer, district Director of Mathematics, insists that by taking simple, organic approaches, parents can encourage growth. 

          “I think we need to help parents help their students to see math in real life,” shares Berahzer. “Anything from counting…to multiplication facts that can be done in a fun way.” 

          #1 – Incorporate math into daily activities 

          Berahzer says there are many ways parents can help their students “see math in real life.” Some examples include: 

          • Having children count the number of cars they see during road trips 
          • Encouraging students to look for and identify shapes at home and on errands
          • Helping them understand proportions by halving or doubling recipes

          #2 – Add math vocabulary to your conversations 

          Incorporating mathematical terms into everyday scenarios will also aid children in becoming more comfortable with important concepts. Parents can put this into practice by encouraging students to use mathematical reasoning or problem-solving skills around the home.  

          “Being able to say, ‘Let’s add this. How many do I have altogether here? You have five of this, we have three of these. How many do we have altogether?’ Just everyday language,” advises Berahzer. 

          #3 – Seek out school district expertise and resources 

          When in doubt, parents can look to school district math departments for additional insight, strategies, and grade-appropriate activities. By visiting the Math Department’s Summer Math Resources page, parents can find: 

          • Summer math parent guides for elementary and secondary students 
          • At-home activities for elementary students 
          • Summer learning opportunities via Blended Learning platforms 
          • Interactive, live help sessions for rising 7th, 8th, Algebra 1 and Geometry students (registration required) 

          District math guides include next steps, suggested usage times, and ways parents and students can track progress. 

          how to prevent summer slide. student reading a book in class


          Free summer learning resources in the community 

          From local libraries to online platforms, parents don’t have to look far to discover free, local resources geared toward preventing summer learning loss.  

          #1 – Visit the Public Library  

          The simple act of obtaining a library card opens the door to countless reading opportunities for children, especially during the summer months. What’s more, Duval County Public Schools students can create virtual library cards with the Jacksonville Public Library by using their Student IDs. 

          Many public libraries will offer summer reading programs and events at no cost to families. Contact your local library for calendars, resources, and additional information.  

          #2 – Use Online Learning Platforms 

          Team Duval families looking for summer learning on the World Wide Web have another free resource –– the district’s Blended Learning platforms. The same programs students are used to using during the school year – such as Khan Academy, Waterford, Freckle, and Edmentum – remain accessible year-round. Students can use these programs at any time by logging in with their Student ID and password.  

          Preventing summer learning loss: The bottom line 

          In the end, preventing summer loss doesn’t have to be a chore. 

          “Kids are out for summer and we’re not trying to be a drag,” says Dr. Berry.  

          But it does require intentionality. By setting aside time to learn each day, students can exit the summer and enter the fall confident and ready to learn.