Summer Academic program:
Q: What is the summer academic program?
A: The summer academic program is an opportunity for Universal Transitional Kindergarten-8 (UTK-8) San Diego Unified students to continue their academic journey through the summer. Classes are taught by highly qualified San Diego Unified teachers.
Q: When does the summer academic program begin and end?
A: The five-week program begins on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, and ends Friday, July 12, 2024. The program is closed June 19, July 4 and 5.
Q: What are the UTK-8 summer academic program hours?
A: The program hours are 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Q: Can I enroll my student now?
A: Students who meet the Priority 1 (P1) criteria will receive priority registration and can register beginning Monday, January 29, 2024. The last day for P1 families to enroll their student(s) is March 15, 2024.
Beginning May 13, 2024, registration is open districtwide, on a first-come, first-served basis for the academic program.
Q: How do I determine if my student meets the P1 criteria?
A: Under the California Department of Education Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) grant requirements and district priority areas, students who meet at least one of the following criteria will be given priority registration (P1):
- Multilingual (English Language Learner)
- Free or reduced-price meal eligibility
- Homeless/foster youth
- Students with disabilities (IEP or 504)
- Siblings of students with the above criteria at the same school
Q: Where do I find the application?
A: Enrollment information will be emailed to P1 families during the week of January 22, 2024. Open enrollment will begin at summer school sites beginning May 13.
Q: Can I apply online for the summer academic program?
A: No. Enrollment information for summer academics will be emailed to P1 families during the week of January 22, 2024.
Q: I have more than one student in my household, do I need to submit an application for each child per program?
A: Yes. An application will need to be submitted for each child and for each program.
Q: Will I be notified if my student has received admission to the summer academic program?
A: Applications submitted by March 15 will receive an email notification by April 5, 2024 with information to complete the enrollment process.
Q: Is the summer academic program open during holidays?
A: The program is closed on district holidays June 19, July 4 and 5.
Q: Is the summer academic program different from the Level Up program?
A: Yes. The summer academic program is an opportunity for students to continue their academic journey through the summer. Classes are taught by highly qualified San Diego Unified teachers. The program is an extension of the current school year. The Level Up enrichment programs, for current district students, provide activities such as STEM, dance, and sports.
Q: How long is the summer academic program day?
A: The summer academic program runs 4 hours per day for 5 weeks.
Q: What schools will host the summer academic program?
A: Our Extended Learning Opportunities website has a list of the 49 school sites offering the program.
Q: How were schools selected?
A: Many factors were considered when selecting morning academic program host sites, including number of students, proximity to other school facilities and previously scheduled construction projects which might limit facility access.
Q: My student’s school is not on the list. Can I apply to the second nearest school?
A: Yes. If your student’s current school is closed for the summer you may choose any school in your cluster.
Q: Do I have to enroll my student in the same cluster they are currently enrolled in?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I enroll my student in the summer academic program and Level Up (enrichment) program at different schools, or do the sites have to be the same?
A: Sites can be different, however, families are responsible for transportation to and from programs.
Q: Does my child need to be enrolled in the summer academic program to be able to apply for the Level Up (enrichment) program?
A: No. You may enroll your student in the Level Up program only.
Q: Will the curriculum be challenging?
A: Teams of teachers and instructional leaders have developed a robust academic and social emotional curriculum for students of all levels that are project-based, hands-on, minds-on learning experiences.
Q: How large will class sizes be?
A: Class size varies at each site. Schools will adhere to health and safety guidelines and student-teacher ratios of 2:20 for UTK and kindergarten and 1:20 for first through eighth grade.
Q: Are the programs (summer academic, PrimeTime, Level Up) really tuition free?
A: Yes! The programs are funded by California Department of Education Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP).
Q: Can I sign up for all three programs (summer academic, PrimeTime, Level Up)?
A: Because program schedules overlap, it is not possible for your student to attend all three programs simultaneously. In order for your student to attend PrimeTime, the student must attend the summer academic program. The district developed a document with UTK-8 Summer 2024 Program Packages to assist families on what program(s) to enroll their student(s) in.
Q: I want to enroll my student in both the summer academic program and the PrimeTime summer program. Can I just complete one application?
A: No. The PrimeTime program has a separate application process. A student must be enrolled in the summer academic program in order to be enrolled in the summer PrimeTime program.
Q: Can I enroll my student in both the summer academic program and Level up (enrichment?)
A: Yes.
Q: I applied for the summer academic program. Will I receive a confirmation?
A: Parents will receive an email confirmation by April 5.
Q: Is the high school summer academic program only for students that need to improve their grades to graduate on time?
A: Yes. Currently, students can enroll for credit recovery in summer school and can recover up to four credits. Students should work with their high school counselor to get enrolled for the correct courses needed.
Q: Is my UTK student eligible to attend the summer academic program?
A: Yes, if your child was enrolled in UTK this year, they will be eligible for the summer academic program UTK.
Q: Does signing up for the academic summer program guarantee a spot in the Level Up (enrichment) program?
A: No. The summer academic program is limited based on school site capacity. However, the Level Up program has limited spots.
Q: Does the summer academic program count towards the academic year?
A: The district is offering a credit recovery program for secondary students who can recover up to four credits in classes in which they previously received a D or F. The student needs to work with their high school counselor to enroll in the correct courses needed.
Q: Our family has a vacation planned. How many hours can my student miss?
A: Please discuss pre-planned vacations or absences with your school administrator. There is not an attendance requirement at the elementary and middle level. High schoolers making up credits for graduation can only have two missed days.
Q: If my student is currently in eighth grade, would they go into an eighth grade summer program or ninth grade?
A: In this case, eighth grade. Students remain in their current grade (from the 2023-24 academic year) for summer school. The exception is for students leaving eighth grade who are interested in credit acceleration or recovery in math or Spanish immersion programs.
Q: Is the summer academic program available in Spanish for students who are regularly in a Spanish immersion program?
A: Yes, Spanish immersion is available at Balboa, Edison, Language Academy, Rosa Parks, Linda Vista and Tierrasanta for students in UTK-5.
Q: Is bus transportation being offered by the school district?
A: Transportation is only provided for students attending ESY (Extended School Year) who are not assigned to their school of residence. There is no transportation for our general education program.
Q: Are meals included at the summer academic program?
A: Yes, breakfast and lunch will be provided for students participating in the summer academic program.
Q: Will there be a nurse available during the summer academic program?
A: Nurses and/or health technicians will be available to support all summer sites.
Q: My student’s ID number is not working. Who should I contact?
A: If your student ID number is not working, please contact the district’s information office at [email protected]. As a reminder, charter students are not eligible to attend.
Q: What is the district’s policy on the use of masks? (COVID policy?)
A: The district follows the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and the
California Department of Public Health.
Q: Who can I contact with additional questions?
A: Families can visit the Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) website for additional information or call the ELO office at 858-810-7310 during office hours, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
San Diego Unified’s Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) department is hosting virtual (Zoom) family office hours every Tuesday, from 4:00 pm. to 4:30 p.m. These sessions are exclusively for families with currently enrolled district students.