School's in for summer at Dist. 87

Glenbard High School District 87 students will have more chances for learning next summer.

And for some students those opportunities will be closer to home.

The District 87 school board recently got a first look at administrators' plans for an "ambitious" expanded summer school program for 2008.

"We think this is a good step forward for us," said Pam Zimmermann, associate superintendent for educational services.

"We're just hoping students will take the opportunity to take some (classes)," she added.

College of DuPage is planning to offer more summer courses at the four Glenbard schools, which will benefit students living at opposite ends of the college district, Zimmermann said.

Among the available classes are English, creative writing and introductions to theater and art, as well as algebra, economics, health, computer applications and consumer education.

Elective classes include French, Spanish and German and photography.

District 87 also is adding six-week summer academies for reading and math, including pre-calculus and calculus.

And for the first time, Glenbard is introducing enrichment courses, such as community chorus, which combines singers from all four schools, and, field biology, which involves trips to area forest preserves and potential internships.

Summer athletic camps and leagues will return, except registration for camps will be handled by local park districts.

District 87 officials worked closely with COD to coordinate schedules so students wouldn't have to choose between academic programs and athletic activities, which happened last year, officials said.

Educators referred to a "Field of Dreams" approach.

"We're hoping if we build it, they will come," Zimmermann said.

The first session will run from June 23 to mid-July, with the second session immediately following until the first week in August. Classes will run from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., with athletics offered in the afternoon.

Tuition will be $279 per semester for COD classes and $189 for Glenbard classes. However, Glenbard's bridge courses are $125 each. Tuition waivers will be available.

"We really want to encourage as many students as possible to take summer school," Zimmermann said.

Summer school classes are optional, but educators plan to encourage students testing below grade level to take advantage of the program. Mandatory summer school is being considered for the future, possibly, in a year or two, officials said.