School’s *IN* for Summer

When Miguel, a bright, social eleventh-grade student, first transferred to Orchard Friends, he initially struggled a little. The traumatic experiences at his previous school left him closed off to making friends, and his neuropathy pain made participating in activities even more of a challenge. 

But once Miguel began OFS’ Extended School Year (ESY) program, things began to shift. The slower pace helped him begin to relax, and the fun, theme-based activities made learning interesting and engaging. Slowly, Miguel began to feel more at home at Orchard Friends. 

Taking learning further

For students with learning differences, Orchard Friends’ ESY program can be invaluable. While all of our programming is highly personalized—specifically tailored to meet the needs of each of our students—our ESY program is a way to take this individualized learning even further. 

Using weekly themes drawn from the students’ interests, our teachers create incredibly creative learning modules that completely reframe students’ relationships to school, to learning, and to specific subjects. We’re able to make learning even more flexible, fun, and student-driven, with smaller class sizes and a slower pace than our traditional school year. 

More continuous support

Our ESY program also offers the tremendous advantage of a more continuous learning model. For some students, a three-month break from school can result in the loss of hard-won skills gained the previous year. ESY is a way to provide more continuous support for these students, helping to reinforce these skills through fun, engaging lessons and activities. From Harry Potter to geocaching, science to civics, our teachers work to ensure that learning remains positive, lively, and compelling for everyone. 

“The activities that just feel like having fun are actually inseparable from the learning that’s taking place,” says Beth DiPerna, Orchard Friends’ Head of School. “For example, a sorting hat-centered game is a chance to talk about personalities and making friends, while reading the book out loud supports engaged listening. Watching scenes from the movie is an entry point to discussing the creative possibilities of filmmaking versus writing a novel.” 

Open and inclusive

Beginning July 1 each summer, our six-week ESY runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. five days a week. The day starts off with math and language arts, followed by lunch and recess. In the afternoons, field trips, fun electives, and personal projects round out the schedule.

Entirely elective, the ESY program is open to students enrolled at Orchard Friends as well as to students from surrounding school districts. As budget cuts force many public schools to pare back their own ESY programs, Orchard Friends is welcoming more families who are looking for additional support over the summer—even if they don’t plan to enroll in the full school year. Students from other public and private schools are embraced right alongside OFS students, and all of our learning modules are equally designed around and customized to their needs. 

Making the difference

An opportunity to reinforce and strengthen skills learned in the prior school year; to calm new-school nerves and build relationships; to ease transitions; and to support students through learning continuity, our ESY can truly make all the difference for students with learning differences. We hope to see you there!