This year the Denver Public Schools Summer School Program will begin on June 3, 2002 and end on June 28, 2002, for a total of twenty instructional days. Third- and fourth-grade students will attend an elementary school site from 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.; students in sixth grade will attend a middle school site from 7:30 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. Parents of elementary and middle school students who qualify for summer school have already been contacted.

The literacy program (grades 3, 4 and 6) bases student eligibility on a body of evidence that may include Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP), Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS), individual assessments and classroom performance. The instructional program implements a Balanced Literacy approach as a foundation of instruction. Balanced Literacy includes explicit instruction (phonics, phonemic awareness, spelling, vocabulary building); read aloud; shared reading and writing; guided reading; and independent reading. The curriculum is interactive and of high interest in order to peak students‚ curiosity, involvement, and achievement. All students receive intensive instruction in reading comprehension, reading fluency, and problem-solving techniques.

Qualified third-, fourth-, and sixth-grade students who are learning the English language may voluntarily attend summer school in order to receive instruction in English Language Acquisition. The goal of the English Language Development (ELD) program for these students is to assist with practice in, and acquisition of English language speaking skills. It is also designed to develop listening, reading, writing skills and strategies at the student's language development level.

High School students will have the opportunity to attend two programs this summer. The district will offer high school classes in Algebra, Geometry and Integrated Math, as well as Introduction to Literature and Composition to eligible students (those who have been in high school at least one year and have failed the course in which they have enrolled). There will be two sites: Martin Luther King Middle School and Abraham Lincoln High School. A $25.00 registration fee will be charged for each class. Students have the option of applying for a scholarship to cover all costs.

The Community College of Denver will also offer classes to high school students at all of their campuses. DPS students (those who have been in high school at least one year and have failed the course in which they have enrolled) and/or those who wish to accelerate their progress toward completing high school requirements are eligible. Class offerings will include Biology, Algebra, Geometry, Introduction to Literature and Composition, and American Literature. Other courses will be available to students based on testing placement. A $25.00 registration fee will be charged for each class. Students have the option of applying for a scholarship to cover all costs.

For further information and summer school location sites, please visit the summer school website at http://summerschool.dpsk12.org/.