With public schools scaling back summer enrichment due to federal pandemic relief having run out, a record number of community-based programs are stepping in to fill the gap. This summer, Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL) is partnering with 54 programs operating at 84 sites across 31 Alabama counties — a sharp increase over last year, according to a news release from SAIL.
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The Alabama-based nonprofit reports a 42% increase in participating programs, a 33% rise in program sites, and a 55% expansion in county coverage compared to last summer. Nearly $1 million in grants from SAIL’s 15 philanthropic partners is helping fund the effort.
Some of that growth comes from a new statewide partnership with the Alabama Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs. For the first time, all 13 clubs are joining the SAIL network, expanding their reach to 23 sites statewide, including more rural and underserved communities.
“This has been a year of unprecedented growth for SAIL, as more communities recognize the value of our whole-child, community based-approach to summer learning,” said Jim Wooten, president of the SAIL board. “One-third of our programs in our network this summer have joined in the past two years.”
New initiatives
SAIL also launched new initiatives this year to boost literacy and academic outcomes. These include SAIL Reads, a collaboration with the Montgomery Education Foundation, and a science of reading-based training for more than 70 site leaders, developed in partnership with the Alabama Department of Education and the Neuhaus Education Center.
“These additions help programs build on their strengths and better support student learning this summer,” said Suzy Harris, SAIL’s program director.
Most programs combine the fun of camp with academic support tailored to student needs. SAIL supports community groups in running high-quality summer learning programs by providing help with assessments, training and funding to help them succeed.
Since 2012, SAIL has invested over $10 million and supported more than 21,700 students.
Students in SAIL-supported programs show strong academic results: Last summer, 2,317 students participated, gaining an average of 1.7 months in reading and 2.6 months in math. The majority of students — 89% — qualified for free or reduced-price meals and the average attendance was 84%. Of those enrolled, 86% completed their programs.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Trisha Powell Crain and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
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