Students wanting to get a head start in their education can do so this summer with educational summer programs in Broward County. Many local libraries, recreational centers and schools are hosting a variety of educational programs for K-12 students.

Alphonza Green, assistant director at the Center for Student Success and Services, said his department is working to find summer educational opportunities for students to increase educational experiences and decrease knowledge loss.

“Our brain is a muscle, and we must continuously work and massage that muscle,” he said. “Keeping a student busy over the summer academically increases their willingness to learn, as well as their drive.”

The University School, a local private K-12 institution, is hosting a summer scholars program for kindergarten students through high school juniors to enroll in academic and college prep courses. Depending on the child’s age, he or she can participate in lower school, middle school or upper school courses.

Lower school students can participate in remedial education, a writing clinic, math workshop,science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) workshop, and/or a back to school refresher course. These courses are designed for students who are between kindergarten and fifth grade.

Middle school students can choose between a course focused on an introduction to middle school, math enrichment, financial workshop, science enrichment, strategic learning and/or reading and writing assistance.

Upper school students can choose between one credit courses in honors chemistry, honors algebra II, honors geometry and geometry I and a half-credit course in college preparatory learning strategies.

Green said that, generally, the first few weeks of an academic year are spent reviewing material from the previous year. By attending educational summer programs, students are able to enter a new school year prepared and focused.”

“You want learning to be fun,” he said. “Finding an opportunity that is fun and caters to the passion of the student will make summer learning easier.”

The program also offers SAT/PSAT prep classes from June 13 to Aug. 3 on Tuesdays and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon; National Merit Live classes from July 10 to Aug. 3 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Algebra I review classes from July 31 to Aug. 4 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon; and a college application boot camp from July 31 to Aug. 4 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Sarah-Joy Somarriba, higher education academic and career adviser, said attending educational summer camps is also great for students’ curriculum vitaes (CVs).
“Being able to put something there [during the summer] looks great for school. Even if it was harder than you thought, it doesn’t matter…Whether [the camps] are honors geometry or dance, it shows that you’re willing to put time and dedication into something that you’re interested in.”

While the primary focus of the camp is to provide a high-quality education based summer experience, there are other camps that students participate in. Such camps vary in subject and include, but are not limited to, counselor-in-training, sports, lifeguarding, marine science and theatre.

Somarriba said learning said that summer is the perfect time for rising upperclassmen to find their passions and narrow down their intended career path.
“Finding a college major at 18 is hard,” she explained. “This is a great time to go out there, explore and be curious. See what’s out there…And maybe hone in on what you might want to do for a career.”

Advisers at the Center for Student Success have connections to multiple camps and educational programs in the area. To learn about additional campus, email highered@semtribe.com.
To register for a University School program or learn more information, visit uschool.nova.edu/summer or call Lara Bezianis at 954-262-4528.