grades Tutoring Summer Slide Learning Loss

Beat the Summer Slide: Secrets to Keeping Your Kids Engaged, Learning, (and Laughing!) All Summer Long

Jessica Menkhus

Hi, I’m Jessica Menkhus, a premium-level tutor here at Revolution Prep with over 17 years of experience teaching kids to thrive academically. In this blog post we’re talking about the Summer Slide and how to avoid learning loss during the months between each school year. It’s not hard, but it does take a small amount of preparation! Whether your child is in kindergarten, prepping for college, or any grade in-between, the right summer strategy can make all the difference to their confidence (and grades) heading into the fall term.

Keep reading to learn all about the Summer Slide and how to create your own Summer Slide Strategy (hint – it starts with a FREE 30-minute strategy session with our expert academic advisors ➡️ Book yours here).

What we cover in this article:

  1. A Four-Minute Primer on the Summer Slide:
    1. What is Learning Loss? a.k.a. the Summer Slide
    2. Why Summer Learning Matters
    3. At What Age is Summer Learning Most Critical?
    4. When Should I Start Thinking about Summer Activities?
    5. How Many Hours Per Week Should My Child Be Actively Learning During Summer?
  2. Summer Slide Guide: Upper High School (11th and 12th grade)
    1. The Four Essential Summer Goals for High School Juniors and Seniors.
  3. Summer Slide Guide: Early High School (9th and 10th grade)
    1. The three Best Summer Activities and Programs for 9th and 10th Grade
  4. Summer Slide Guide: Middle School Students (6th – 8th Grade)
    1. The Three Best Summer Slide Programs for Your Middle Schooler
  5. Summer Slide Guide: Elementary Students (K – 5th Grade)
    1. The Secret to Eliminating Learning Loss for Elementary Age Kids
    2. Three Activities and Programs for Elementary School Summers
  6. The Must-Do Move Every Parent Needs Now to Stop The Summer Slide

Part 1: A Four-Minute Primer on the Summer Slide:

What is Learning Loss? a.k.a the Summer Slide

The “summer slide” refers to the learning loss many kids experience during those school-free months between school years. While your kids are enjoying sunny days, and have no homework, if you are not careful, they can go backward in terms of academic understanding and confidence. Studies show that students can lose two months of math skills and up to a month of reading skills over the summer (Brookings Institution). But do not panic! With a bit of planning, you can keep your kids learning, engaged, and give them a head start for the next school year.

Why Summer Learning Matters

Summer learning is crucial because it stops kids from forgetting what they learned during the school year and helps them maintain their academic progress. Research consistently shows that keeping kids academically engaged over summer helps them retain skills and build confidence for the year ahead (NWEA).

Without consistent engagements, kids can forget knowledge and skills, leading to a gap in learning that can set them behind peers who do engage in strategies to combat learning loss.

At What Age is Summer Learning Most Critical?

Combatting the Summer Slide is critical for all ages from kindergarten all the way through college. While it’s tempting to think of the Summer Slide as “just a problem for older students”, or those prepping for college exams, parents need to be aware of the research. Studies show that:

  • For high school students, summer learning should be seen as a non-negotiable. Each year in high school builds on the next and students who miss out on foundational skills in year 9 or 10 struggle to excel in advanced classes or on college entrance exams.
  • Middle school students must also address the summer slide. Kids in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade can lose more academic ground than younger students, simply because they are engaged with more non-academic activities during the break. (source)
  • The early elementary years (grades K-3) are especially critical for combatting learning loss, as foundational skills in literacy and math are established during this period (source).

In short, every summer is important and it’s never too late to start!

When Should I Start Thinking about Summer Activities?

March is a wonderful time to start thinking about summer activities that can decrease the impact of the summer slide (though it’s never too late to plan!). Whenever you’re actively thinking about your summer plans is the right time to lock in a learning strategy for your kids too.

Get your personalized plan for any age, in just 30 minutes. Book your free consult with a Revolution Prep academic advisor. Book here.

How Many Hours a Week Should My Child Be Studying During Summer?

The number of hours that your child should be engaged in academic activities during the summer break depends on their age. While each child is different, here is a guide:

  • High School Students: aim for about 10-15 hours a week of active learning during summer.
    • High school students who thrive in advanced placement exams often dedicate 1-2 hours a day for summer learning.
  • Middle School Students: aim for about 8-10 hours a week of active learning during summer.
    • Middle schoolers are developing more complex skills in foundational subjects. A moderate, yet consistent routine of 1 hour a day on weekdays and slightly less on weekends can be an enormous benefit.
  • Elementary School Students: aim for about 5-7 hours a week of active learning during summer.
    • Younger learners benefit from experiences that keep their curiosity alive while enforcing general academic concepts.

Why start with Revolution Prep?

Revolution Prep’s data-driven approach ensures students not only stay on track but also build new skills that last a lifetime. Here’s your ultimate guide to making summer learning manageable and even fun for all ages!

 

Part 2: Summer Slide Guide for Upper High School (11th and 12th grade)

4 Essential Summer Learning Opportunities for High School Juniors and Seniors

For juniors and seniors, summer isn’t just about keeping up—it’s about stepping up. From college essays to final test prep, this is the home stretch.

Want a competitive edge? Use the summer to get ahead in tough AP courses like AP Calculus, AP Literature, or AP Chemistry (or any other AP/Honors course for that matter!). Strengthening these subjects now means walking into the fall with confidence—especially for students looking to boost their GPA and college applications.

Revolution Prep offers a range of summer programs and tutoring to keep your child’s GPA, test scores and confidence high.

Four essential summer programs/activities for high school juniors and seniors:

  • Essay Excellence: One-on-one tutoring sessions focus on crafting standout personal statements and application essays. Tutors help students showcase their unique stories in a way that resonates with admissions committees.
  • Targeted Test Prep: Still need to take the ACT/SAT? Individualized and/or small group test prep maximizes results by focusing on students’ strengths and areas for improvement.

  • Real-World Readiness: Revolution Prep advisors and tutors help students develop essential life skills such as time management, organization, and self-discipline—key for thriving in college and beyond. They also provide guidance on balancing summer jobs or internships with academic goals, helping students build confidence and enhance their resumes.

  • College Admission Process: Your college counselor is your first and most valuable resource in the college planning process. If you’re looking for additional support, Revolution Prep can provide a list of trusted independent college counselors to help guide you through applications, essays, and more. While Revolution Prep does not provide direct college application support, we do help students craft compelling essays that highlight their unique experiences and strengths. Our expert tutors guide students through brainstorming, drafting, and refining their personal statements to ensure their stories stand out in the admissions process.

Prioritize tasks like test prep and essays early in the summer to leave time for refinement and reduce last-minute stress. Revolution Prep’s team of advisors and tutors help ensure students have the grades, confidence, test scores, and personal essays they need to be successful in the college admission process.

 

Part 3: Summer Slide Guide for Early High School (9th & 10th Grade)

High School (9th-10th Grade): Laying the Foundation for the Future

During the first two years of high school students are juggling more than ever before, from academics to social lives, and busy schedules, but summer is prime time to help them prepare for what’s next—without feeling like they’re missing out on fun.

This is also the best time to build a strong foundation and get ahead in core subjects like Algebra II, Geometry, or Honors English. A summer of steady progress can set students up for higher-level coursework, AP classes, and stronger academic performance in later years.

Three Essential Summer Activities and Programs for 9th and 10th Grade:

  • Mastering Key Subjects: While many students use the summer to avoid falling behind, summer is a also a great time to get ahead on next year's classes. Have an Honors or AP class coming up? Summer tutoring ensures students don’t just review—they get ahead.
  • Test Prep with Ease: Revolution Prep’s SAT, PSAT, and ACT prep programs provide a personalized approach, helping students build test-taking strategies and improve scores without overwhelming their summer.
  • Advanced Academics: Revolution Prep’s tutoring sessions support challenging subjects like AP courses, helping students gain confidence and mastery over advanced material.

Breaking big tasks into small, manageable chunks keeps teens motivated while avoiding burnout. Revolution Prep’s goal-oriented programs ensure high schoolers stay on track and make meaningful progress.

Ready to get started? Book your free consult here.

 

Part 4: Summer Slide Guide: Middle School

Middle School (6th-8th Grade): Prepping for the Big League

Middle school is the age of growth spurts, eye rolls, and figuring out who they are. Summer is the perfect time to build confidence and get a head start for high school.

Middle school success builds high school success! Getting ahead in pre-algebra, essay writing, or science concepts now makes advanced high school courses far easier down the line. Revolution Prep’s middle school tutoring helps students strengthen their academic foundation before high school starts.

Activities and Programs:

  • Algebra Readiness: Revolution Prep’s pre-algebra and algebra sessions help students master these crucial concepts with engaging methods tailored to their learning style.
  • Creative Writing Boost: Encourage your child’s creativity with journaling or storytelling. Professional tutors can work one-on-one with students to enhance their writing skills, ensuring they’re ready for high school assignments.
  • Exploring Passions: Enrichment programs allow students to dive into interests like coding, graphic design, or even a new language. Revolution Prep offers flexible options to foster these passions while keeping academic growth at the forefront.

Use summer to help your middle schooler develop a growth mindset, where challenges are seen as opportunities for learning. Revolution Prep’s middle school programs focus on strengthening math and reading/writing skills while nurturing curiosity and confidence.

 

Part 5: Summer Slide Guide: Elementary Age

The Secret to Beating Learning Loss for Elementary Age Kids

If you want to beat the Summer Slide for your child who is in grades Kindergarten through grade 5, then the number one thing you should do is: make learning feel like play.

The elementary years are all about building foundational skills while exploring and having fun. Three of the best ways that you can do this is through Library Adventures, Math in Action, and STEM explorations.

Strong early skills lead to stronger academic success later. Strengthening reading fluency, early writing, and math problem-solving over the summer ensures students stay ahead of grade-level expectations and enter the fall prepared for more advanced concepts.

Three Activities and Programs for Elementary School Summers

  • Library Adventures: Sign up for summer reading programs which is a great resource for preventing summer slide in reading. These programs encourage reading through fun activities, challenges, and rewards to promote literacy and learning during summer break. Complement the program with Revolution Prep’s tutoring sessions focused on reading comprehension. Tutors can make reading engaging by pairing books with activities that build vocabulary and critical thinking skills.
  • Math in Action: Explore math in everyday life with fun games and challenges, like measuring ingredients for recipes or solving puzzles. Revolution Prep’s elementary math tutoring sessions add an extra layer of tailored support, helping kids solidify foundational skills through interactive lessons.
  • STEM Explorations: Dive into hands-on science projects such as building simple machines or experimenting with kitchen chemistry. Tutors can guide your child through activities that combine creativity and STEM learning.

Keep learning sessions short (around 30-60 minutes) to match young attention spans and ensure they stay excited about learning. Revolution Prep’s personalized tutoring is designed to make foundational skills stick while keeping the experience enjoyable.

 

Part 6: Stop the Summer Slide: The Must-Do Move Every Parent Needs Now.

The only thing that every parent needs to do to stop the summer slide is land on a plan that’s right for their child. In this article we’ve given you tips on activities and programs that your child can do during the summer, but each child is different and it’s important that they get a personalized approach. That’s why we offer a free consult with an academic advisor. Whether your child is mastering multiplication, exploring careers, or writing college essays, summer learning can be both effective and enjoyable. We can help you craft a personalized program for every age and stage to keep your child learning and thriving, on a budget that works for you.

The best way to beat the summer slide? Turn summer into a season of getting ahead! Whether your child needs to build core skills, prep for a challenging course, or boost their GPA, a personalized summer plan can make all the difference.

Book a free consultation with a Revolution Prep advisor today. Together, we can make this summer a season of growth, discovery, and maybe even a little laughter!

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