When will I know if my child is accepted into our chosen Summer Scholars Academy? Our summer team will send periodic emails to families to let them know their child(ren) is/are confirmed for one of our Summer Scholar academies. This email will simply confirm registration.
When will we find out more details about our summer scholar program, such as transportation, meals, schedules, etc? Further information should be sent out the first couple weeks of May (program details sent via School Messenger). Transportation information should be available during the second week of June (via robocall/text/email).
My incoming kindergarten student was able to attend in the previous years, so why is my current incoming kindergarten student unable to attend? Due to funding requirements for summer 2025 all students need to qualify for at least one of the listed priority qualifications.
- Qualify for educational benefits (based on family income).
- Identifies as Native American.
- Experiencing housing instability.
- Qualify for special education services (speech-only services are not considered for priority placement).
- Identified through health and development screenings, with a potential risk factor that may influence learning.
- Has experienced domestic violence.
- Has a parent who is incarcerated or on active supervision.
- Has a parent who is in a substance use treatment program, or a mental health treatment program.
Note: Having a home language other than English is not a qualifying criteria for eligibility.
What is the difference between Discovery and Learning and the GEMS-GISE-STEM Academy? Discovery and Learning follows a more traditional school day schedule and provides more intensive focus on math and literacy. Physical education, art, and field trips are also offered. Our GEMS-GISE-STEM Academy focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math through project-based learning, via classroom work and activities. Targeted math classes and reading classes are available upon request on the summer registration form.
How does the incoming Kindergartners program differ from that designed for current grades 1-5? The incoming Kindergartners programs- Discovery and Learning and GEMS-GISE-STEM- focus on literacy, math, science and social emotional school readiness skills with engaging classroom work and hands-on activities. The incoming Kindergarten curriculum is the same for all classrooms (Discovery and Learning and GEMS-GISE-STEM).
My child is new to MPS- are there any opportunities to visit the school/meet the teacher before summer programming begins? No. Unfortunately our summer programming teachers will be teaching at their schools until the week before Summer Scholars begin. You might consider visiting the school after hours so your child can see the building, and play in the playground before Summer programming begins.
What does a typical day look like?
Incoming K: A typical day in the incoming kindergarten program includes staff meeting your child at the bus or parent drop off, breakfast, large group read-aloud, community building activity and large motor activity. Followed by active learning (children will talk, read, write and play in centers throughout the classroom), small groups focusing on literacy, math, science, etc. Lunch will be followed by recess and a quiet time. Math and Science activities will finish up their day and staff will bring the children to buses or parent pick up.
Discovery and Learning Academy: Students engage daily in integrated science and literacy lessons, math, art, physical education and participate in onsite and off-site field trips. Typically scheduled in the morning, students participate in math and literacy “workshop” experiences through large group, small group and independent work. Afternoons could include extended project-based learning time and/or specialists including art or PE.
GEMS-GISE-STEM Academy: GEMS-GISE (Girls in Engineering, Math and Science/Guys in Science and Engineering) STEM Academy helps students uncover the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a six-week, all-day program. Students participate in project-based and problem-based learning, using a hands-on and minds-on approach that integrates the skills of reading and math. Knowledgeable staff help immerse students in high interest and rigorous STEM experiences designed to provide relevant, real-world connections and career explorations. Students have the option of participating in GEMS, GISE or combined groups. A typical day this summer will include all the above-mentioned opportunities, student engagement in outdoor learning spaces, active investigative discovery, and a half hour of recess for students daily. New this year, students in grades 6-8 can choose to attend our our GEMS-GISE-STEM Blast Academy which offers an opportunity to choose between one to four weeks of programming, allowing families to have more flexibility with their summer. In addition, we continue to offer our traditional 6-week program.
My child doesn't attend a Minneapolis Public School? Is my child allowed to attend? If your child will not be enrolled in a Minneapolis Public School in the Fall of 2025, they may not attend. If you live outside of Minneapolis but your child will be attending a Minneapolis Public School, your child may attend but you must provide transportation.
My child attends a charter school but doesn't have any academic needs, may he/she still attend? No, your child must be an incoming kindergartner at a Minneapolis Public School.
My child needs to miss some of the summer scholar program due to vacation (or other reason). Is this okay? Because of our project-based learning techniques, i.e. group work, we prefer that a student does not miss any time. We do understand, however, that things may come up (i.e. previously planned events). In this event, however, we do not want a child missing more than one week. Please notify your site when your child is absent.
Do I select an application based on my child's current grade or on their grade in the Fall of 2025? When choosing the appropriate application (especially important for current K and 5th graders), choose based on your child’s grade in the Fall of 2025. So, a current PreK (High Five) will choose the Incoming Kinder application, a current Kindergartner will choose the 1-5 application. A current 5th grader will choose the 6-8 application. A current 8th grader will choose the Fast Track application.
May I make a request that my child be placed in a class with a friend? Yes, you may. We will do our best to honor these requests, however, know that it is not a guarantee. Multiple factors may contribute to this decision, such as class size/availability, session time, etc.
Will students be placed in classrooms with other students from their year-long school? Current High Five students will be placed with peers from their classroom.
Will the summer program be following the Covid19 protocols and guidelines as they do during the school day? Yes, we will be following the same guidelines, which may be found here: https://www.mpschools.org/departments/student-support-services/health
How do I make a later request, or changed request, for transportation? You may email SummerScholars@mpls.k12.mn.us . Please be sure to include your child’s name along with their pickup and drop off address. Please know that the deadline for transportation for Day 1 is TBD. The transportation deadline for Day 3 of programming (which means you’ll need to drive the first couple of days) is TBD.
Will I be able to use Here Comes the Bus this summer? Yes, you will. It will require a bit of set up on your part however. You will need to delete your child's information and then re-add placing an S in front of their student ID (to indicate summer). Be sure at the conclusion of summer scholars to remove that account and then re-add your child without the S to see school year 2024-2025 info.
Will a nurse be available at the summer academy sites? Yes, we will have a nurse on site during our summer academies.
My child has an IEP. What does that mean for the Summer Scholars Academy? We employ social workers for our summer academies. Our social workers will review your child’s IEP and work with the summer academy location to determine implementation of those needs. In some cases, it may be determined that your child is best suited in one of our ESY summer locations. In the event of this, our team will reach out to you. If your child attends a charter school or non-MPS public district (and you live in Mpls), please email your child’s IEP to:
SummerScholars@mpls.k12.mn.us
Do students in the elementary program get to select their classes? They will not. Students will be scheduled for a variety of course offerings.
Are meals provided? Yes, both breakfast and lunch are provided to summer scholars at no cost.
Is there a cost to participate? No, there is no cost to participate in our Summer Scholars Academy.
Who do I contact if student is going to be out? Please contact your summer location’s office to report absences.
