The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will offer summer programs for students of all ages, from preschool through 12th grade, Superintendent Austin Beutner announced.
“We are excited to again offer Summer School for all students, which will include reading, math, science and English for K-8 students, credit-earning opportunities for high school students and enrichment classes for all ages and all grades,” Beutner said. “And for the first time, we’ll also offer Summer School at selected school sites for preschoolers.”
Some of the most popular classes from last summer will be returning, including Science of Sports with the Los Angeles Chargers, and a Voyage on the Titanic.
The Fender Play Guitar classes will offer an additional 2,500 middle school students the opportunity to receive a free acoustic or electric guitar, an electric bass, or a ukulele and join the 5,000 students already participating in teacher-led music classes.
LAUSD educators also worked with the creative talents at Illumination, the creators of the Minions, to put together an Honors Cartooning and Animation class where high-schoolers can earn credits for both high school graduation and college admission requirements.
There are a slate of new courses this year, as well.
Middle school students can learn storytelling skills and create their own comic book with the help of DC Super Heroes in the WarnerMedia Story Lab or explore history and culture in a Black/Pan African American History course.
In Artificial Intelligence for Good, high school students will learn the basics of artificial intelligence and use them to address a social issue in their community.
The Summer Enrichment program begins June 22 through July 23.
The district will also now be offering a full-day Beyond the Bell Summer Enrichment Program through July 30 with in-person activities focusing on academic, physical, creative and social-emotional development.
“Whether a student is participating in person or taking advantage of the online connection every student now has, we know all students will benefit from participating in school with their classmates,” Beutner said.
“This is another important step in the path to recovery. We’ve demonstrated how our nation-leading safety protocols are keeping schools safe, and we look forward to welcoming more students back onto campus this summer.”
“I encourage all students of all ages to consider doing our great programs over the summer,” LAUSD Board President Kelly Gonez said.
“The expanded summer school opportunities are a critical part of our recovery from the pandemic as we look for innovative ways to support our students’ ongoing academic and socio-emotional needs.”