Every summer, DCPS provides extended summer learning opportunities such as literacy enrichment for elementary students and credit recovery for secondary students. Students who participate in summer programming have opportunities to form new friendships, strengthen academic skills, and prepare for the year ahead. There is no cost to attend a DCPS summer program and participation is optional. Most programs will start on July 3, 2023 and run through August 4, 2023.
Quick Links:
- Register for summer programs at .
- Additional details, including registration information, for summer programming is available at .
- More details to come on how to partner with DCPS to support summer programming or renting space in a DCPS facility.
- Questions about summer programming? Please contact [email protected].
Elementary School
Elementary Acceleration
Eligible students: Current PK4 – 4th grade students
Dates: July 3 – August 4, 2023
Registration: Please register .
This five-week, full day program is a unique opportunity for elementary students to engage in hands-on, enriching academic instruction each morning and fun summer activities (games, crafts, and more) each afternoon. Students who participated in Summer Acceleration last year formed new friendships, strengthened their literacy and math skills, and had fun learning and growing with their peers!
Elementary English Learner Summer Academic Program (ELSAP)
Eligible students: Current PreK4 – 4th grade students who are newcomer English learners
Dates: July 3 – August 4, 2023
We are proud to once again offer unique summer programming specifically targeted for newcomers, who are still developing basic proficiency in English in a joyful and enriching instructional format. Language development will be integrated with hands-on content and literacy development. This is a program for students who are learning English as a second/additional language. Students will be notified by their school if they are eligible to participate; English Learners can also participate in Elementary Acceleration.
Summer Site Locations: Bancroft ES, John Lewis ES & Noyes ES
Elementary Extended School Year (ESY)
Eligible students: Current PreK - 5th grade students
Dates: July 10 – August 3, 2023
This four-week program is limited to students who have been identified by the student’s IEP team. Students with IEP’s with ESY written into their services will be contacted by their schools later this spring.
Middle School
6th Grade Summer Bridge
Eligible Students: Current 5th graders attending middle school in the fall
Dates: Varied by school
Rising 6th graders and school staff will get to know each other while building their shared understanding of high school. Students will enjoy a variety of activities, such as team building games, scavenger hunts to get to know their new schools, excursions and field trips, creative projects, performances and presentations about high school and beyond.
Middle School English Learner Summer Academic Program (ELSAP)
Eligible students: Current 5th grade – 8th grade students who are newcomer English learners
Dates: July 3 – August 4, 2023
We are proud to once again offer unique summer programming specifically targeted for newcomers, who are still developing basic proficiency in English in a joyful and enriching instructional format. Language development will be integrated with hands-on content and literacy development. This is a program for students who are learning English as a second/additional language. Students will be notified by their school if they are eligible to participate.
Summer Site Locations: Brookland MS & Ida B. Wells MS
Algebra Accelerator Enrichment (I, II, and III) – Algebra Accelerator Enrichment is designed to place students on an advanced track to be scheduled in Algebra I. Descriptions for each accelerator course are below:
Algebra Accelerator I is for rising 6th grade students (students promoted from 5th to 6th grade during SY22-23). Successful students will be more prepared to tackle 6th grade math content and continue towards an accelerated path to build a strong foundation that will better prepare them for Algebra I by the end of their 8th grade year.
Algebra Accelerator II is for rising 7th grade students (students promoted from 6th to 7th grade during SY22-23). Students will get a boost in an intensive pre-algebra readiness so that they can gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take Algebra I when they are in 8th grade.
Algebra Accelerator III is for both rising 8th grade and rising 9th grade students (students promoted to either 8th or 9th grade during SY22-23) based on established criteria. Rising 8th grade students will be introduced to or revisit key content and foundational standards necessary to be successful in Algebra I. Students who are successful will be more prepared to excel in Algebra I during the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.
Summer Site Locations: Brookland MS, Johnson MS, Columbia Heights EC, Jackson-Reed HS
Registration Period: March 22 – June 2, 2023
Eligible students: Rising 6th – Rising 9th grade students
Dates: July 3 - August 4, 2023
Registration: Please register .
Questions: Please email [email protected]
MS Original Credit Accelerator – Original Credit Accelerators are credit bearing courses available to middle grade students who would like to start earning DCPS graduation credits prior to officially enrolling in high school. Students are only allowed to enroll in one original accelerator course. Secondary Grading Policy will be in effect; students will earn summer grades of A, B, C, D, or F. Original Credit Accelerator seats are limited. Students who accrue 4 unexcused absences will receive a grade of W (withdrawal) and may have to retake the course in high school. Below are the Original Credit Accelerator courses available for summer 2023:
Algebra I OC: This math course is designated for the middle school student taking Algebra I only and combines 8th grade CCSS and Algebra CCSS. This math course focuses on the understanding of the real number system as a basic structure of algebra and to acquire facility in applying algebraic concepts to problem solving. Students will do operations with real numbers, solving equations and inequalities in one variable, lines and graphing, polynomials and algebraic fractions, factoring, solving systems of equations, and the quadratic formula. Additionally, students will address understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem and interpreting data on categorical and/or quantitative data.
Health: This course provides learning experiences related to health concepts and safety practiced in the maintenance and improvement of body efficiency.
Art A: This course is designed to provide students with the tools to interpret and communicate about works of art, as well as learn the skills and knowledge necessary to produce each art form. The intended outcome is artistic literacy.
Summer Site Location: Eastern High School
Registration Period: March 22 – June 2, 2023
Eligibile Students: Rising 9th Graders
Dates: July 3 - August 4, 2023
Registration: Please register .
Questions: Please email [email protected]
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Enrichment – The DCPS Career and Technical Education Enrichment Program is a fun, exciting, and engaging summer program that provides DCPS students with an introduction to courses that can lead to high demand careers. Students will be eligible to attend one of six Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses below:
Everyone Can Code – Coding with Apple Swift: Coding with Swift Apple – Coding with Swift is an easy-to-follow programming language used by professional developers to create apps around the world. Students will enjoy learning to code with Swift Playgrounds ---a free app for iPad that makes getting started with Swift code interactive and fun. Students will use iPads to prototype apps in small and large learning communities. Students will also engage with IT professionals and complete career exploration activities.
Summer Site Locations: Eliot-Hine MS, Johnson MS
VEX IQ - Robotics: The Vex IQ Robotics course, students can be creative thinker — all while having fun exploring and learning about STEM ideas and concepts through robotics! Students will apply their learning, use the Engineering process, and build teamwork and collaboration skills. This course provides students with hands-on, minds-on engagement that encourages students to design creative solutions and innovate through experimentation.
Summer Site Locations: Eliot-Hine MS, Hart MS
Biz Camp for Young Moguls: This program activates the entrepreneurial mindset in students as they engage in a broad exploration of career opportunities and learn the essential principles of personal finance, economics, and entrepreneurship—providing them with the fundamental skills and mindset needed to join the future workforce. Students will create a “personal brand” that reflects their unique value proposition and how their interests, skills, and values will help them become successful entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs.
Summer Site Locations: Ida B. Wells MS, Eliot-Hine MS
Can you Build It? – Carpentry: During this Carpentry course, students will be a builder for the summer - all while having fun exploring and learning about trades through carpentry! Students will be exposed to concepts for safety and building while creating a unique and authentic final project. This course is perfect for the student who enjoys hands-on engagement.
Summer Site Location: Phelps ACE HS
DC’s Next Top Chef Jr: Students will enjoy learning to cook with celebrity Chef Shanel Howard! Each week will have a different culinary theme as students learn their way around the kitchen. Students will be engaged as they learn culinary skills, teamwork, and professionalism. Students will prepare a spread for the chef’s competition at the end of the program!
Summer Site Location: Ballou HS
Tik-Tok Worthy: Students will explore the hospitality and tourism industry, which is one of Washington D.C.’s largest employers. Students who participate in this summer program will engage in a hands-on event planning “business”. Paired with the Culinary program, these students will get real world experience in the Hospitality/Tourism industry. Students will utilize the Hospitality/Tourism essentials learned to plan the final showcase at the end of the program.
Summer Site Location: Ballou HS
Registration Period: March 22 – June 2, 2023
Eligible Students: Rising 6th – Rising 9th grade students
Dates: July 10 – July 28, 2023
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Registration: Please register .
Questions: Please contact [email protected]
Outdoor Pursuits – Outdoor Pursuits is concentrated on Involving children in hands-on learning outdoors provides them strong links to the natural world and encourages healthier lifestyles. Outdoor Pursuits will engage students in outdoor and indoor activities over three weeks. The hands-on and experiential learning techniques students will engage in have also been shown to increase student interest and learning in all areas. Outdoor Pursuits Programs involve hands-on activities outdoors in nature. These programs also encourage action and leadership in students by exercising their critical thinking and creative skills and giving students the knowledge and confidence to make their own decisions and try new and exciting physical adventures outdoors.
Outdoor Pursuits will be an all-encompassing summer enrichment experience. Students will participate in all the activities listed below:
Hiking and Orienteering: There are several intriguing and fun trails in DC for students to explore, where they learn map reading and compass skills. While hiking, students will get the chance to truly immerse themselves in the natural world. The experiential learning-based hikes along various trails will bring DCPS students up close to amazing flora and fauna, all of which is literally in their own community and will gain an appreciation of the kind of outdoor physical experience they can have so close to home.
Parkour: Each school site will have a Parkour course built out. Students will learn how to safely move using a variety of jumping and landing techniques, rolls, and vaulting. Students will improve their skills through safe progressions so that they will be able to use the outdoors as a creative way to exercise.
Rock Climbing: Students will travel to the Bouldering Project gym where through rock climbing, they will develop essential decision-making skills to ensure the safety of self and others. Students will learn rock climbing basics on a variety of traverse walls with progressive challenges improving their muscular endurance and flexibility.
Swimming: During the swimming portion of Outdoor Pursuits, students will engage in this activity twice per week. During this class, students will work on water safety and swim skills such as bobbing, floating, gliding, and swim strokes of front crawl, back crawl and treading water.
Adventure and Cooperative Challenges: During the afternoon, students will then hone their outdoor pursuits skills and further develop lifelong physical activity and communication skills while experiencing in depth and challenging team building and outdoor education-based physical activities.
Registration Period: March 22 – June 2, 2023
Eligible Students: Rising 6th – Rising 8th grade students
Summer Sites: Brookland MS, Ballou HS, Columbia Heights EC
Dates: July 10 – July 28, 2023
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Registration: Please register .
Questions: Please email [email protected]
Digital Arts Media Summer Camp: Middle school students with a passion for arts and technology can take their skills to the next level by enrolling in a Digital Media Arts Summer Camp with MD传媒官方. The half-day, four-week program is a fun-filled, active, and engaging summer learning experience that introduces students to digital art & music forms, new ways of learning, and the joy of creative discovery. This whole child centered camp will be an opportunity for students to create rich storytelling projects by interweaving digital art, animation, music and technology.
Registration Period: March 22 – June 2, 2023
Eligible Students: Rising 6th – Rising 8th grade students
Summer Site Location: Eliot-Hine MS
Dates: July 10 – August 4, 2023
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Registration: Please register .
Questions: Please email [email protected]
Music Explorers Camp: Music Explorers Camp will provide middle school students with the opportunity to begin or continue their instrumental and vocal musical learning. Students will develop the needed skills to become proficient in playing an instrument, digital music, reading music, learning the necessary skills and etiquette to become a successful musician. This opportunity will conclude with a final performance for the community.
Registration Period: March 22 – June 2, 2023
Eligible Students: Rising 6th – Rising 8th grade students
Summer Site Locations: Ida B. Wells MS, Hart MS
Dates: July 10 – August 4, 2023
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Registration: Please register .
Questions: Please email [email protected]
Spoken Word Workshop: Spoken Word will consist of a five-week classroom residency in which students interested in the written, the spoken and the rhythmic word will be introduced to various strategies for better public speaking, clarity in writing & creativity in performance. Each week, students will experience a different facet of their artistry.
Registration Period: March 22 – June 2, 2023
Eligible Students: Rising 6th – Rising 8th grade students
Summer Site Locations: Hart MS
Dates: July 3 – August 4, 2023
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Registration: Please register .
Questions: Please email [email protected]
High School
9th Grade Summer Bridge
Eligible Students: Current 8th graders attending high school in the fall
Dates: Varied by school
Rising 9th graders and school staff will get to know each other while building their shared understanding of high school. Students will enjoy a variety of activities, such as team building games, scavenger hunts to get to know their new schools, excursions and field trips, creative projects, performances and presentations about high school and beyond.
Original Credit Accelerator
Off-track high school students, especially potential summer graduates, will have an opportunity to earn original high school credit. These opportunities will be limited, and students should work with their school counselor to find out how to take advantage of this opportunity.
Eligible Students: Off-Track Students
Summer Site Location: Eastern HS
Dates: July 3 - August 4, 2023
Time: Courses for 1.0 credit are from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm; courses for 0.5 credit are from 9:00 am -12:00 pm
Registration: Students should work directly with their school counselors to be scheduled.
Questions: Please contact [email protected]
Summer Learning Credit Recovery
Students who need an opportunity to re-take courses required for graduation can take advantage of these summer course offerings by working with their school counselor to be enrolled and scheduled in credit recovery classes to receive up to 2 credits to get back on track for a timely graduation. Credit recovery is available for most required core classes. Please note that credit recovery can only be taken if the student has previously attempted and failed the original version of the course.
Eligible Students: Current 9th – 12th grade students
Summer Site Locations: Anacostia HS, Ballou HS, Columbia Heights EC, Coolidge HS, Eastern HS, Jackson-Reed HS, Phelps ACE HS, Roosevelt HS
Dates: July 3 - August 4, 2023
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Registration: Students should work directly with their school counselors to be scheduled.
Questions: Please contact [email protected]
High School English Learner Summer Academic Program (ELSAP)
Eligible Students: Current 8th – 12th grade students
Dates: July 3 – August 4, 2023
We are proud to once again offer unique summer programming specifically targeted for newcomers, as well as those English Learners who are still developing basic proficiency in English in a joyful and enriching instructional format. Language development will be integrated with hands-on content and literacy development. This is a program for students who are learning English as a second/additional language. Students will be notified by their school if they are eligible to participate. A virtual option will also be provided.
Summer Site Locations: Cardozo EC, Columbia Heights EC, Coolidge HS, Jackson Reed HS, Roosevelt HS
High School Extended School Year (ESY)
Eligible Students: Current 9th - C5 students
Dates: TBA
This four-week program is limited to students who have been identified by the student’s IEP team. Students with IEP’s with ESY written into their services will be contacted by their schools later this spring.