BACKGROUND:
Summerbridge Dayton is a cooperative effort between Wright State University
and Dayton Public Schools. It is a two-summer, all expense paid academic
program for rising eighth and ninth graders who have good academic potential. The students
must choose to apply to be a Summerbridge Dayton participant based on a
desire to improve his or her academic performance and self-development.
The middle school participants have the opportunity to meet monthly
and to return the next summer to complete the program.
The Summerbridge Dayton program is modeled after Summerbridge programs
at forty sites across the United States and Hong Kong. The first program
began in 1978 at San Francisco's University High School.
The program's goals are twofold: (1) to empower
motivated students to succeed and do well in high school programs, which will provide
a strong foundation for college attendance; and, (2) to encourage talented
high school and college students to fully experience the challenges, exhilaration
and realities of teaching, while encouraging them to prepare for careers
in education.
The high school and college students who teach in the program are given
the opportunity to plan their curriculum and to be "in charge" of a classroom of eight students after an intensive week-long training
program. Under the supervision of trained teachers and program directors,
the student teachers feel the exhilaration of helping children learn, as
well as conduct student advising, special events, and enrichment activities.
Many who teach in the program go on to choose education as a career.
SIX-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM:
The six-week summer program was housed on Wright State University's campus.
Each student took four academic morning courses (e.g., language arts, math,
science, and social studies) and two afternoon electives (e.g., sports,
improvisation, French, theatre/mime, ladies leadership, swimming, newsletter,
and video making). Class sizes were small, with
seven to eight students per class. The work was demanding, skill based,
and designed to prepare students for success and graduation from high school.
All students completed at least one hour of homework each night to reinforce
study skills (e.g., note taking, active reading, and techniques for effective
test taking). Creativity, leadership, and positive risk-taking were also
emphasized both in and out of the classroom.
FUNDING:
The tuition-free program provides students with bus transportation
to and from Wright State University; a nourishing lunch;
all academic materials; instruction in language arts, social studies, math, science,
and two electives. The two-year commitment also includes monthly Saturday
sessions and other enrichment activities.
Summerbridge Dayton, a non-profit program, was
funded in 2007 by corporate grants and personal donations.
SUMMERBRIDGE DAYTON PROGRAM:
Summerbridge Dayton students attended Cleveland, Patterson-Kennedy, stivers
Valerie, Wilbur Wright, World of Wonder, Jefferson Township, Trotwood Middle,
Omega, Richard Allen, Precious Blood, Mary Queen of Peace and St. Rita middle schools. Summerbridge Dayton offered a neutral location at Wright State University's
main campus. The program was designed to help students bridge educational,
spatial, and cultural gaps they may experience within Dayton communities.
Due to the cultural differences of both school districts, each student
brought a wealth of experience, talent, and interest to the Summerbridge
Dayton family. Through the rigorous and enriching academic environment,
the students had the opportunity to learn study skills, to improve their
self-esteem, and to develop leadership skills that can be used in their
schools and within their communities.
In an article in Impact Weekly (July 20 - 26, 2000 page 11) the
following was noted: "The middle school students benefit from the small
group instruction by their teenage and young adult teachers. The teachers,
students themselves, benefit from the firsthand experience of planning
lessons and mentoring younger students."
The staff represented graduate and undergraduate students from Wright State
and Central State Universities, and Antioch MacGregor. |
