Dear Judy,

Is the summer school program only for students who have not succeeded in the previous academic year? Can a student who wishes to study in advance attend summer school? I’'m a 9th grader, if I attend a 10th science/math course in summer school and complete the course, does that mean in September I can move up to 11th grade courses?  I'm new to the city, and not yet enrolled in a city high school.

Y from student Y

Dear Y,

Summer schools are run by individual schools. It’s the principal who determines who should attend.  In general, principals invite students who failed a course, and especially those who need to pass a course to graduate.  According to the the Summer School Team at the Department of Education,   “While schools can invite students to their summer program for any reason, typically, schools recommend students for summer school if they have not yet met requirements to be promoted to the next grade level.”

This week elementary and middle school students are getting the news that need to attend summer school to achieve a passing score in the state English Language Arts  and math tests in order to avoid being left back.  In high school, promotion from one grade to the next means accumulating a cerain amount of credits per year toward the 44 needed to graduate. There are also five Regents exams to be passed to qualify for a diploma. If kids don't make up failed courses, they may have to wait a whole year before that course and that Regents exam come around again. That's why most of the spots in summer school are filled with kids who are catching up.<!--more-->

The DOE says it will "soon" post its policy about summer school for students not currently enrolled in a NYC public school. If the rules allow it, you might be able to join a math or science course that others are taking as a make- up.  In that case,  you could earn credit towards graduation when you do enroll.   If there is a Regents exam at the end of the course,  that's another leg up on graduation.

By the way, according to the DOE, kids who live outside of New York City must pay tuition to attend summer school but it is free to NYC residents.  Keep checking the summer school page for the actual guidelines.

Although schools can make up their own summer school calendar the earliest date that it may begin is July 5; the last possible day for high schools is August 16th. Regents exams are held on August 17 and 18th.

If you want to read up more on promotion and graduation standards, including eligibility for summer school, check out the DOE's regulation online.

Good luck.

Judy