Did you know Northstar has Summer School?

Each July, we host a three-week educational program here on campus. General course offerings include Writing, Reading, Math, and Social Skills, as well as Specialized Reading. Students can join us for the whole time, or families can choose to enroll for just one or two. Because learning loss, or the “summer slide” can occur during the summer months, this special session aims to help reinforce and retain academic and social skills learned during the school year.

Summer school isn’t limited to currently enrolled K-12 Northstar students; students with disabilities from the general public who meet our basic admissions criteria are also welcome to attend. In fact, summer school is a great way for new families to get to know Northstar in a relaxed, but structured environment. This short session can help families understand how our faculty approach core subjects through the lens of special education.

You may have heard this kind of summer program also be referred to as Extended School Year, or ESY.

ESY is a specific term used by the Virginia Department of Education to describe special education and/or related services that a school provides beyond the typical school year. Determining if a child needs ESY services is part of the IEP writing process. The IEP team, which includes families, teachers, and other professionals, will evaluate if the benefits a child gained during the school year will be significantly jeopardized without ESY.

So which is it? Northstar Summer School, or Northstar ESY? Answer: it’s both!

Northstar’s summer session satisfies the Virginia ESY requirement by providing individualized lessons to meet a student’s unique needs. Some families enroll through their local education agency or school district to receive these necessary services. Regardless of the reason they come, all summer session students learn together in the same core classes.

If your family is looking for a summer program to retain academic skills and engage in social activities, we invite you to explore what Northstar’s summer session can offer. Admission for summer session opens in the spring of each school year.