Summer school is not for every struggling high school student. In many cases, it won't make a difference at all in academics, attendance or attitude. There are definitely reasons to enroll your teen in summer school, but the following are not good enough! So when should you not enroll your teenager in summer school? Read my advice below:
1. SAT and ACT tests are coming up.
Unless your teenager's high school is offering specific test prep programs for the SAT or ACT, enrolling him or her in summer school will not help with their test scores. If you advocate for summer school and use those scores as incentives, then you and your kid may be disappointed when the score reports come back in. Go for some real SAT or ACT practice, instead!
2. Your teen is skipping school.
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A problem? Definitely. Summer school as a solution? Probably not. If your teen is catching the attention of the truancy officer, then enrolling him or her in a summer school program may only exacerbate the problem. A teen skipping school feels left-out, misunderstood, and has deeper issues than a teacher in the summer has the ability and time to manage. Spare your teenager a ton of grief, and sign your teen up for counseling, instead.
3. Your kid's been getting into trouble.
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If you're a busy, working parent and won't be home during the daytime in the summer, you may feel tempted to get your kid into summer school as a way of keeping him or her out of trouble, and prevent sending them to Grandma's house every day. A better plan might be to hire a responsible college student getting a degree in education or social work to "hang out" with your teen. Your kid is likely to respond better to someone near their own age group, and may bloom under a positive influence.
4. You need a penalty.
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It is never a good idea to use summer school as punishment, even if your kid hates the idea. It gives your teen the idea that education is a negative thing, and that attitude can translate into life outside of school, fostering a dislike for learning in general. Yard work is always a great punishment – what teen wants to pull weeds in the summer?
5. Trusted family members or friends recommend it.
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Unless these family members/friends are teachers or guidance counselors of your child, don't enroll your student in summer school on their say-so, even if they think it'll "do 'em some good!" Instead, ask the people who spend the day with your teen throughout the year – teachers and guidance counselors. Your family members and friends may know your teen really well, but only a member of the school system will know if your teen needs the extra schooling.
