North Kansas City Schools prepares for expanded summer school sessions with added support

The North Kansas City School District is gearing up for an enriching summer school session aimed at supporting students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. During the recent Board of Education meeting, Dr. Sutton provided an overview of the summer program, which will follow an "everyone rises up" approach, allowing students to attend classes at the next grade level.

This year, summer school will run for four weeks in June, with classes held four days a week. Due to recent snow days, the start date has been adjusted to begin on a Tuesday, June 6, and will include a virtual day on June 20. Additionally, a new session has been added in July for five schools—Greenway, Topping, Maplewood, Shoto, and Crestview—focusing on literacy development and math instruction.

Enrollment numbers are promising, with 270 students already signed up, surpassing initial expectations. The district anticipates maintaining last year's participation rate of approximately 8,400 students, reflecting a 14% increase from the previous year. Staffing for the sessions is also on track, with a 95% fill rate for June and 84% for July, as the district continues to recruit teachers to fill any remaining vacancies.

This summer school initiative not only aims to enhance academic skills but also provides additional support staff, including counselors and reading specialists, to ensure students receive the help they need. As the district prepares for these sessions, the focus remains on fostering a supportive learning environment that addresses the diverse needs of its students.