Family FAQs

Students who will finish grades K-8 in spring 2025 (students entering 1st – 9th grades) and attend school in Wayne, Macomb, or Oakland counties are eligible to enroll in a Summer Discovery program. Summer Discovery will help students explore their interests, engage in their communities, and discover their potential through robust enrichment and academic programming. All programs are full-day (note that some programs for rising 9th graders may operate for half days) and will run for at least 4-5 weeks. Programs are provided at no cost to families and feature fun and engaging learning experiences to support the whole child.

Summer Discovery program sites are select schools and Community-Based Organizations in Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties that applied for and were approved for grant funding to offer free and engaging summer programming.

I. About Summer Discovery

I. How will I know where Summer Discovery is being offered?

The application process for Summer Discovery sites runs from November 2024 through February 2025. In mid-March 2025, a site finder will be published via this website so families can find a Summer Discovery site near their home or work.

II. Once the sites are posted, when should I register my student for programming?

As soon as possible! Spots will begin filling up quickly, so please reach out to sites and sign up as soon as you can.

III. How much does a Summer Discovery program cost?

All programs are provided at no cost to families.

IV. I have a student entering kindergarten (or 10th-12th grades). Can they participate?

For Summer 2025, Summer Discovery funding only covers programs for students finishing K-8 in Spring 2025 (students entering 1st grade – students entering 9th grade). However, some sites provide programming for older or younger students (just not as part of Summer Discovery), so you should feel free to contact the site to inquire.

V. Will this program continue in future years?

Summer Discovery will continue for at least three summers (2024, 2025, and 2026). No decision has been made for 2027 and beyond. Sites may change yearly, and students wishing to participate in Summer Discovery programming must re-register each year.

II. Program Details

I. What types of programs will sites be offering?

While all sites include academic programming, each site is able to design its own enrichment program. In mid-March, you will be able to learn more about each site’s offerings and reach out to the location to register.

All Summer Discovery sites will

Provide at least 20 days of programming
Provide 3+ hours of English language arts (ELA) and math instruction
Provide full-day care for students (note that some programs for students entering 9th grade may be half-day)

Beyond traditional instruction, all sites provide exciting activities to ensure the summer is fun and that students are excited to attend! Activities vary by site but may include exposure to opportunities such as field trips, community-based activities, volunteering, career exploration, STEAM, digital literacy, and more. Families will be able to see program descriptions to learn more about what individual sites have planned.

II. What are the attendance requirements for students?

Students who register for Summer Discovery programming must commit to attending programming throughout the summer. Summer Discovery is not a drop-in program, and it’s essential for students to attend daily to receive the full benefits of the program. If you have concerns about your ability to attend the entire program, please discuss them with the site contact before registering.

III. What are the Summer Discovery dates, and what are the daily hours?

Each Summer Discovery site sets its own schedule. Reach out to sites to confirm their program dates meet your needs. All programs run for at least 20 days.

IV. Will transportation be provided for the summer programming?

Every Summer Discovery program site has a transportation plan to ensure students can get there. Reach out to sites to inquire more and discuss your family’s transportation needs.

V. What curriculum will be used?

Students will receive literacy and math instruction during Summer Discovery. Some sites use their own curriculum, and others use the Lavinia RISE curriculum (see more information here). If you have questions about a site’s curriculum, please contact that site. All students will take a short pre- and post-test, and their families will receive information about their student’s growth during the program.