Students from low-income families often start school unprepared. Despite progressing at the same rates during the school year, gaps widen each summer and students fall further behind their peers. The gap culminates in low high school graduation and college attainment rates, limited job prospects and negative economic impact. This gap is referred to as the Achievement Gap, or Summer Slide.

Providing children with learning opportunities over the summer months is crucial to their educational success. Through the Greater Scranton YMCA’s summer learning loss prevention programs, QUEST and Summer Scholars, the Y makes a profound impact in combating the achievement gap. These programs allow the Y to provide children with the tools and resources they need to succeed at the start of their next school year.

“For years, the Greater Scranton YMCA has worked to combat the achievement gap and provide all children in our community with the tools and resources needed to continue developing academically during the summer,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Here at the Y, we understand the pivotal role summer learning programs play in the academic development of students and we are so proud to continue providing our community with these invaluable resources.”

QUEST is a learning program integrated into our summer day camp. The program serves all campers in kindergarten through eighth grades and is offered at no additional cost. QUEST is held four days per week. Week one includes pre-testing, weeks two through eight are program weeks and week nine includes post-testing. During each of the four days per week the program is held, children filter through different subjects and engage in hands-on activities.

Summer Scholars is a free research-based and research-proven five-week summer learning program with a goal to get elementary students on track to read at or above grade level by the start of their next school year. In some cases, participants will have the opportunity to exceed grade level expectations. This summer, the program is serving rising first and second grade students attending the Mid Valley and Dunmore School Districts. Breakfast and lunch are provided. Since the program began in 2016, more than 180 students have been served.

Summer Scholars includes 2.5 hours of literacy in the morning, followed by lunch and enrichment in the afternoon. Students also take trips to the Greater Scranton YMCA for use of the pools. The program is instructed by certified teachers, as well as Y staff.

QUEST and Summer Scholars are Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) approved EIO Programs. The programs are supported by the United Way of Lackawanna & Wayne Counties, Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank, UGI Utilities, Peoples Security Bank & Trust Charitable Fund, Pride Mobility, the PPL Foundation and proceeds from the Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament & Dinner Celebration.

To learn more about summer learning loss prevention at the Greater Scranton YMCA, contact Trish at tfisher@greaterscrantonymca.org or (570) 828-3130.