PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Monday was the first day of summer school in Philadelphia. Many more students than usual are taking part this year, as they try to make up for what they missed in a year of virtual learning.
In a typical year, about 4,000 students attend Philadelphia summer school. This year, it's 15,000.
Andrea Stukes stood outside Hunter Elementary in Kensington with her fourth-grader, Ahmad, eager for him to attend classes in person again.
"It’s something he needs," she said, "because he was completely virtual. So him being back in school again will help him get back on track for next year when he goes back in school."
For grades up to and including eighth, the summer programs are all in person. High school programs are a mix of online and in-person instruction. At 26 school buildings, there are academic programs in the morning, with art and athletic activities in the afternoon through a partnership with the city, says Deputy Mayor Cynthia Figueroa.
"That’s different. We’ve never done that before. We usually just run summer camp programs that are really more like fun with a light touch," Figueroa said. "This actually provides an academic support in the morning, and then enrichment activities. So that's huge."
It’s too late to sign up for the academic programs, but not for the city’s summertime Playstreets activities.