San Antonio is one of eight cities that will benefit from the Summer Boost initiative, designed and launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies, that provides funding to charter schools to offer high-quality summer learning programs in Summer 2023. Summer Boost aims to support charter students to accelerate their academic progress in English Language Arts and Math this summer, in response to COVID-related learning loss.
Summer Boost for ELA and Math
All public charter schools in San Antonio serving rising first through ninth graders in fall 2023 were eligible to apply for up to $2,000 per student to provide summer learning programs. In addition to the per-pupil allotment, schools can opt to use the Lavinia Group RISE English Language Arts (ELA) and Math summer learning curriculum and professional development at no cost. Alternatively, schools have the option to select and budget for a high-quality curriculum of their choice that focuses on ELA and Math.
Proven Success at New York Charter Schools
In 2022, Bloomberg Philanthropies launched Summer Boost NYC, providing high-quality summer learning opportunities for 16,383 students across New York City. Assessment results from last summer show increased student proficiency in both ELA and Math. The percentage of students who met standards in Math nearly doubled—and in English, it more than doubled. At the same time, the share of students scoring below the most basic levels of proficiency dropped nearly in half. Because of the strong gains in New York City and the continued need for students to accelerate their learning following the COVID-19 pandemic, Bloomberg Philanthropies will run Summer Boost again in New York City in the summer of 2023 and is expanding the opportunity to charter schools in Baltimore, Birmingham, Indianapolis, Memphis, Nashville, San Antonio, and Washington, D.C.
Charter schools in San Antonio have applied for funding through Summer Boost to host a summer program for rising first through ninth graders, and schools have flexibility to design program schedules that meet the needs of their students. To be eligible for funding, schools must provide at least 20 days of summer programming and an average of at least three hours of ELA and Math instruction each day. Schools are encouraged to supplement academic instruction with engaging enrichment opportunities. Schools must assess all participating students with a pre- and post-test that will be provided through Summer Boost.
Summer Boost at Harmony Public Schools
The four San Antonio schools in Harmony Public Schools South Texas District will be participating in the Summer Boost program.
“We are honored and grateful to Bloomberg Philanthropies for their generosity. Their support of our charter students speaks volumes of the work being done at our schools. Our San Antonio community will reap the benefits of this tremendous effort. We would also like to thank our Chief Development Officer Dr. Gina Gregory and her team for assisting us throughout this rewarding grant process. We are lucky to have you be a part of our team,” said Mr. Selcuk Bakir, Harmony South Texas District Area Superintendent.
Read More About Summer Boost
- “As Students Continue to Suffer COVID-Related Learning Loss Bloomberg Philanthropies Launches Comprehensive Summer Learning Program to Help Thousands of Kids,” Bloomberg Philanthropies, February 24, 2023
- “Summer School Can Remedy Pandemic Learning Loss,” Michael R. Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, February 23, 2023
