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Find A SAIL Program For a map of SAIL programs in Alabama, please visit link.   This map…

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For Funders The Power of Summer Learning ♦ Summer learning loss is the major reason that children from…

Start a Program

For New Programs What is a SAIL program? ♦ SAIL programs nurture the whole child: our students grow…

For Teachers

For Teachers SAIL Programs Are Hiring Teachers and Academic Staff ♦ SAIL programs blend rigorous academics with summer…

SAIL Programs Turn Summer Learning Losses into Gains

Why Summer Matters

Why Summer Matters

Children regress when they don’t practice their academic skills over the summer. This is known as summer learning loss, or the summer slide. Children from low-income families lose two-three months of grade equivalency in both math and reading every summer, year after year. The loss is cumulative; the gap grows over time.

A study by Johns Hopkins University measured the gap in reading  as three years by the end of the ninth grade. They found that 2/3 of the gap was attributable to summer learning loss. Further, they found that summer learning loss was the primary driver of later problems; failure to graduate, to attend college, and to successfully enter the workforce. To see the Research Brief, click here.

Children  from under-served communities face other challenges over the summer as well; many do not eat well, do not exercise, and lack a safe environment that is free from harmful influences. Parents consistently cite summer as the most difficult time to ensure that their children have productive things to do.

SAIL  HAS HELPED OVER 20,000 ALABAMA CHILDREN PREPARE FOR SUCCESSFUL LIVES!

SAIL programs use research-based curriculum, certified teachers, and Star Assessments® to drive academic growth.
AVERAGE GAIN PER STUDENT
Reading:  1.8 months Math: 2.6 months

AVERAGE IMPACT PER STUDENT

(Considering the “summer slide” of 2+ months loss for low-income students)

Reading: about 4 monthsMath: about 5 months
SAIL IS COST EFFECTIVE

SAIL REACHES UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES

The average cost of a SAIL academic program is around $1,000 per child. When the high academic gains are factored with the reasonable cost, the value of SAIL programs is evident!

In SAIL programs:

  •    ♦  88% of the students are eligible for free or reduced cost lunches.
  •    ♦  SAIL students entered performing well below grade-level. 76% are below grade level in reading, and 72% in math.

For a full discussion,  visit Outcomes.

What Is Summer Learning?

SAIL knows that the best summer learning nurtures the whole child. Our programs combine rigorous academics with traditional summer camp activities. Children have fun while they learn!

Building these programs is challenging;  SAIL meets the challenge by bringing together the community! Youth organizations, faith-based organizations, philanthropy, community groups, municipal agencies, and schools pool their knowledge and resources to create programs better than any of them could have created alone.

Why Invest in Summer

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SAIL News

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Students participating in high-quality, community-based summer learning programs supported by the statewide Summer Adventures in…

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Forty independent, high-quality summer learning programs in Alabama to split more than $840,000 from SAIL donors this summer…

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Summer program students gained critical reading and math skills in 2023 On average, SAIL students gained 3.1 months…

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November 14, 2023 New Report: Students Enrolled in Community-Based Summer Learning Programs Gain Critical Reading & Math Skills…

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  BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Birmingham-based Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL) has increased the number of programs in…

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— Students enrolled in SAIL community-based summer learning programs made significant leaps in reading and math this…

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March 9, 2022 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Birmingham-based Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL) is awarding $785,600 in grants…

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SAIL’s community approach to summer learning an easy home run for math, reading gains By David Osinski |…

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Learn more about summer learning loss with this video from Horizon Learning

What People Say About SAIL Programs

Superintendents

This program is impacting the community in a very powerful way! The improvement in achievement data for the…

Summer Camper

I will always remember the things we did at camp!  

Program Staff

This spectacular summer meals and academic program, supported with well planned, motivational, and engaging life skills provides an…

Parent

The Summer Program changed my daughter’s life. Before she attended, homework times were unbearable. She rebelled and fought…