Summer school outlook changes as students sign up to get ahead

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Summer school often denotes scenes of students wistfully looking out of windows and trying to recover from failed classes, but some Bryan ISD students are changing that image by choosing to attend summer school as a way to get ahead.

English and language arts teacher Jackie Root said students are able to “essentially test out of those classes” they choose to sign up for, which comes with many advantages during the regular school year.

“I’m in volleyball and I do mariachi, and I actually just got into the acapella group and then choir. It’s just a lot of extra classes that I need to make room for,” sophomore Valentina Reyes said.

Valentina is one of those students taking advantage of summer classes offered by the district. Her passion for music drove her to take on the coursework, freeing her schedule for next semester’s extracurricular activities.

For students like senior Briasia Robertson, she’s set to graduate a semester early because of summer school.

“I have my own marketing business, and I provide my services to the community. After I graduate in December, my plan is to go work full-time for my current boss,” she said.

Briasia called herself an overachiever and said she’s always been motivated to get things done early so she can take the next step in her professional life. After graduating, she plans to work full-time and study marketing in college.

”You know, graduating early and taking these classes, you have to know how to be professional and just be on top of everything,” she added.

Underclassmen like Valentina are experiencing the increased workload of high-level classes, which she said she wouldn’t be able to take otherwise. She says she had to receive special permission to sign up for world history and speech.

Root said students like Valentina and Briasia are providing a new outlook to summer school, one that differs from the stereotypes.

In her classroom, summer school gives her a chance to make learning fun and engaging for her students. Root teaches remedial English and language arts for students who didn’t pass the STAAR test.

“It doesn’t have to be something painful and boring,” she remarked.

Her students are currently reading and enjoying a popular young adult novel that she said has sparked engaging classroom discussions.

Even in remedial classes like hers, students still have a chance to get ahead for the upcoming semester by passing the retest and avoiding additional intervention during the school year.

“Have them experience the success of finishing a book and having discussions with their peers can be a really positive experience for them,” she said.

Root said that no matter why a student may be in summer school, it should never be something a student is ashamed of.