Benefits of Summer School for Students and Teachers

Education

Benefits of Summer School for Students and Teachers

Written by: Wilson College • Nov 6, 2025

A Summer School Teacher Sits Outside With Students and Reads a Book

Attending summer school is part of the educational experience for many U.S. children. In a 2024 Gallup poll, 55% of parents reported that their school-age children participated in at least one summer school program focusing on topics such as academic skills, music, or technology.

Students who attend a summer school program have the potential to boost their academic performance and strengthen their social skills. Teaching summer school can also be advantageous for teachers, particularly for those who work in early childhood education. For example, summer school is an opportunity for teachers to try new instructional approaches, network with other educators, and earn additional income.

It can be helpful for anyone thinking about pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Early Childhood Education to learn more about the benefits of summer school and ideas for teaching summer school that can maximize those benefits.

How Does Summer School Benefit Students?

Summer school programs offer students various potential benefits. From boosting academic achievement to connecting with others, students have much to gain from the experience.

Academic Benefits

More than 70% of school superintendents cited maintaining or improving academics as the most important benefit of summer school, according to a 2025 National Summer Learning Association-commissioned poll.

Summer school programs offer opportunities to improve performance in key areas such as reading or math. For example, according to Bloomberg Philanthropies, students who participated in a five-week Summer Boost program gained about five additional weeks of math learning and two additional weeks of English language arts learning compared with students who didn’t participate in the program.

Overall, targeted summer school programs can reinforce concepts that teachers have presented to students during the previous school year. After participating in summer school, students have the chance to return to school in the fall having attained grade-level proficiency. Catching up with their peers allows students to begin the regular school year with a greater sense of confidence and better prepared to start their classes.

Beyond Academic Benefits

Going beyond the strictly academic benefits, summer school programs also allow students to:

Gain support from positive role models. Students who attend summer school have the opportunity to connect with role models who can be invaluable in offering them encouragement and helping them to develop a sense of belonging in school.
Form new friendships. Students who attend summer school get to interact with other students whom they may not have met during the regular school year and develop friendships that can continue throughout their education.
Strengthen their social and emotional skills. Attending summer school is a great opportunity for students to build skills in areas such as self-regulation, goal setting, maintaining a positive attitude, and teamwork.

Depending on the program, students in summer school may also have an opportunity to take advantage of other benefits such as:

Participating in enrichment programs to learn more about subjects such as music, sports, or technology
Taking part in physical activities
Spending time outdoors

How Does Summer School Benefit Early Childhood Teachers?

The benefits of summer school also extend to teachers. Particularly for teachers who focus on early childhood education, teaching summer school can offer a range of advantages. For example, they can:

Try new instructional strategies. Teaching classes that are typically smaller in the summer, early childhood educators have an opportunity to try new approaches to instruction, evaluate those approaches, and decide whether to implement them during the regular school year.
Experiment with classroom management techniques. Controlling a classroom of young children can be challenging, but classroom management is paramount for early childhood educators. Summer school is a chance to implement new techniques for keeping students engaged and focused and try out new techniques for classroom management.
Teach a different grade. Teachers who may be considering teaching younger students or older students, for example, can gain experience teaching a new group of students.
Network with other teachers. Teaching summer school is a great way to meet fellow teachers in early childhood education, share knowledge, and learn from peers.
Earn extra income. Teaching in the summer is a good way for teachers in early childhood education to bring in additional income while refining their teaching skills.

Teaching Summer School Ideas to Help Students Grow and Stay Engaged

Making summer school programs engaging helps teachers to maximize the academic and social benefits of summer school for students.

Whether they work in charter or public schools , educators can benefit from becoming familiar with ideas for teaching summer school in engaging and interesting ways. Examples of those ideas are highlighted below.

1. Create a Community in the Classroom

Instilling a sense of community among students in a summer school program can be a great way to foster connections among students. For example, conducting team-building activities, icebreakers, and other getting-acquainted exercises can help create a positive environment for learning and strengthen student engagement.

2. Offer Hands-On Activities

Providing students with the opportunity to conduct hands-on activities and incorporate project-based learning is a great way to make summer school programs more engaging. Fun activities and projects that allow students to do things they wouldn’t get the chance to do during the traditional school year can make summer school programs more appealing to them.

3. Leave the Classroom

If possible, think of places to take students outside the classroom where they get the opportunity to learn in new environments. For example, taking students to community gardens, museums, or zoos can stimulate learning and spark their interest in attending summer school each day.

4. Bring in Experts

Consider bringing in local experts to speak with students about what they do. For example, for summer school programs focused on art or music, think about bringing in local artists or musicians who can show students how they approach their work.

5. Allow Students to Make Choices

Another idea for summer school that can spark students’ interest is simply giving them choices. For example, think about giving students options for completing a project, such as preparing a written report or an oral presentation. Even giving students the chance to determine seating in a classroom can foster their sense of engagement and ownership in summer school.

6. Weave Technology Into Learning

Allowing students to learn by using technology can be a great way to keep kids interested during summer school. For example, tools that allow students to collaborate online, interactive educational applications, and educational websites that have interactive features can keep them focused on learning.

7. Offer Students Rewards for Reaching Goals

Goal setting can be helpful in any learning environment. Offering students rewards when they reach these goals can strengthen their motivation. The prospect of receiving a reward—for example, earning stickers or time to play outside—can be an incentive for students to stay immersed in the learning process.

8. Make Learning Fun

Incorporating games, scavenger hunts, group projects, theme days, or arts and crafts into the learning process can be enjoyable for students and keep them interested in what they’re learning.

Keep Summer School Programs Effective with a Degree in Early Childhood Education

Investing the time and energy into maximizing the benefits of summer school is a great way to improve academic outcomes, help students gain social skills, and allow teachers to strengthen their instructional skills.

Individuals who are interested in gaining expertise in childhood education can explore Wilson College Online’s B.A. in Early Childhood Education degree program to learn how it can help them reach their career goals. By providing students with knowledge and skills in pedagogical strategies for teaching pre-K-4 students, the program can establish a strong foundation for a career in early childhood education. Start achieving your career goals in education today.

Recommended Readings

How to Become a Preschool Teacher

5 Ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week

What Is Play-Based Learning?

Sources:

Bloomberg Philanthropies, New National Study Finds Summer Boost Accelerates Learning for Second Consecutive Year

EdSource, “Summer School Offers New Teachers a Chance to Experiment”

Gallup, “In U.S., 45% of Children Lack Summer Learning Opportunities”

HMH, “11 Ideas for Cheap or Free Classroom Rewards and Incentives ”

K-12 Dive, “4 Strategies to Spark Engagement in Summer Programs”

Learning Policy Institute, “How States Are Expanding Quality Summer Learning Opportunities”

National Center for Education Statistics, The Majority of K-12 Public Schools Offer Academically Focused Summer and After-School Programs