End of Summer?

A few months ago, I read a provocative article from the NY Times about the school year and what makes sense if one was starting with a “clean sheet.”

It is in synch with a piece by ISM (independent School Management Inc. – a well-regarded, US-based firm that provides advice, research and consulting focused on independent school management) from a couple of years ago that challenges the traditional idea of the North American school year. ISM suggests that the notion of a 9 ½ month school year (minus Christmas and March Break – another month) will eventually go the way of the Dodo bird.

Increasingly, I see many examples of students who are pursuing summer academic/educational endeavors – local summer programs (summer school is no longer the bastion of only those who are trying to recover missed credits;) overseas/travel-based academic programs for credits; international service trips; second language programs; intensive athletic training; etc. There are even traditional summer camps that are able to offer high school credits. There aren’t too many kids I know who hang out at home “un-programmed” for two months, and most who do are due to issues of cost and affordability.

On the other hand, I grew up in a classic Canadian summer mode – spending lots of time at camps and some at the cottage. There is something very primal in the Canadian psyche about camps – the camaraderie, connection with nature, multiple activities, independence, growing up. Many friends  look back on their camp experiences as being some of the most joyous of their lives, and I certainly have some visceral connections to tripping, sailing, fishing and Georgian Bay because of my years there. Camp is a lot like boarding, but with an extra dose of fun instead of work. Many of the benefits are very similar.

At Appleby, summer is very busy. We have a very successful ESL program, a summer academy, and a very popular series of day camps for all ages. We are pushing our capacity even when many Appleby students and families assume that it is “quiet time” at 540 Lakeshore Road. Not to mention that this is also when major facility work takes place, and when we also bring in conferences

So, like most interesting issues, there is no clear right or wrong answer. As the stakes for excellence in education continue to rise, there are lots of questions to consider. In particular - Should we be providing more full Appleby programs (with Appleby faculty, the full experience, etc.) in non-traditional times (most notably summer) on either a voluntary or mandatory basis?

As always, I appreciate any comments and thoughts you have on this issue … ivannostrand@appleby.on.ca