Portola Valley district pilots academic summer school Portola Valley district pilots academic summer school (May 04, 2005)

By Marjorie Mader

Almanac Staff Writer

A pilot four-week academic summer school in the Portola Valley School District will start June 22 at Corte Madera School.

District trustees gave the "go" sign to the school April 15 after discussions at two previous board meetings.

Teachers in the program -- designed to improve reading, writing and math skills -- will focus on providing the particular academic help each student needs.

The 152 students recommended for the program were selected because they scored less than proficient on state STAR tests or because teachers think they would otherwise benefit from it.

So far, 29 applications have been submitted.

"The summer school will be very different than regular school," said Superintendent Anne Campbell, who will serve as the summer school principal. "It will provide a more relaxed environment than typically occurs during the intensity of the school year."

Students will be organized in three groups: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. The school will run from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday, with no school on Fridays and July Fourth. Slots will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Families will be asked to agree in writing that their children will attend regularly.

The plan is to hire three teachers, preferably from the district staff, and three instructional aides. In addition, nine student volunteer tutors will be recruited.

The program will cost the district $23,930 if 45 students enroll. Trustees asked the staff to find ways to measure the program's effectiveness.

Bus transportation will be provided for voluntary transfer students residing in East Palo Alto. All other students will be responsible for their transportation.

For more information, call Mary Ann Anderson at 851-1777, ext. 3010, or e-mail her at manderson@pvsd.net.

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