Students apply for high school summer school options

The first session for ninth grade summer school is June 11 to 26. The second session is July 5 to 20.

There are two types of courses offered for summer school. Enrichment courses are offered to students who need more room on their schedules for interest electives or to participate in additional major classes during the regular school year. There are also remedial classes which are taken by students who did not pass a course during the regular school year.

“It is really up to the individual on whether or not they want to take enrichment classes. Some might not want to because they enjoy the break of either gym or health during school, but some might not like to take these in school and would just rather take it in the twelve days during the summer. However, remedial classes are more of a necessity for students to pass,” ninth grade counselor Julie Yahner said.

The courses offered for enrichment are physical education and health. Health is from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in June. Physical Education is offered from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and again from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in either June or July.

“I am taking the first session in June for gym because I just really want to get gym over with. I scheduled it around my plans I will have in the summer,” ninth grader Emily Neil said.

The courses offered for remedial classes are English, civics, science, mathematics and Algebra 1 and 2. The times for these classes are 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Students can only take two remedial classes.

“Students taking summer school are in the classes for twelve days, so I think if you are doing more than two remedial classes it would be too much. Also, if students would take more than those two remedial classes, it would have to be in August,” Yahner said.

Ninth graders enrolling in the first summer school session for physical education must pay for and apply in the junior high school main office. All other summer school classes must be paid for in the high school main office.

“The most popular classes that students sign up to take are gym and health. This is probably because a lot of kids who are in music want to take the class to have more room on their schedule so they can take the classes they want. As far as remedial classes go, civics is one of the most popular classes students sign up for,” Yahner said.

All summer school courses cost $75.

“The price has been $75 for a long time. I think it is just enough to pay teachers’ salaries. Other school district’s summer schools cost more, so I think $75 is a good amount,” Yahner said.

“I think $75 is just a little too overpriced because people who can’t afford that price won’t be able to go,” Neil said.

Students who are going into summer school have to be able to attend all sessions and not be late to any classes to receive the credits they need.

“I do think some students take summer school for granted. However, some students are appreciative of summer school. After all, if we did not have summer school, some students would not be able to have the number of credits they need and be able to graduate,” Yahner said.

Ninth grade students will see a label on their final report card on June 1 which will inform them if they need to attend remedial courses. Students should have at least 6.5 credits in order to move on to tenth grade.

“The planning process for summer school involves several people. The counselor figures out what subjects the students failed and prepares the letters for remedial classes. These letters are given to the students who have to attend summer school and sent home to their parents. The principal handles which teacher will teach what,” Yahner said.

Summer school is more condensed than classes in the regular school year. The days are also longer for just one subject.

Summer school is now going to be held only in the junior high because of construction at the high school.

“I would rather have summer school at the high school because that is where we are going to be going to school next year, and it would be cool to experience it more before next year,” Neil said.

“My advice for students who are taking remedial courses would be to always come on time and make the best of it. After all, they are earning credits so they should be grateful and keep a positive attitude. For students doing enrichment courses, again always show up on time and just enjoy it and have fun,” Yahner said.