Community-based programs utilizing SAIL’s quality-assurance framework helped students achieve academic growth for the 14th consecutive year.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama—(October 14, 2026)—This summer, 3,420 Alabama children enrolled in summer learning programs comprising the SAIL (Summer Adventures in Learning) network.
Research shows that students who do not practice their academic skills over the summer regress by two months or more in both reading and math (known as the summer slide). SAIL was founded in 2012 to address this issue. SAIL helps non-profits, faith-based organizations, and other community groups provide high-quality summer learning programs.
SAIL provides assessments, conducts peer learning, and arranges funding opportunities to ensure that Alabama students thrive. SAIL programs combine summer camp with rigorous academics allowing the children to realize that learning can be fun. Cumulatively, SAIL has invested over $12 million and has helped more than 28,100 students turn summer learning losses into academic gains.
This summer, 53 SAIL programs operating at 72 sites in 27 Alabama counties enrolled 3,420 students. Nearly all participating students (92%) were eligible for free or reduced lunch. 85% of enrolled students completed the whole summer, and the programs reported attendance of 86%. The past three years have seen record growth, with half of SAIL’s programs joining the network during this time.
The network completely offsets the traditional summer slide, resulting in a total of more than three months of academic advancement compared to peers who stayed home.
“The success of this program is a testament to our partners and the power of community-based education,” said Jim Wooten, SAIL Board of Directors President. “The data proves that when you pair dedicated leaders with the right strategic plan, Alabama students don’t just avoid the summer slide—they leap ahead.”
SAIL introduced a new reading program, SAIL READS, which distributed 14,000 high-quality books to SAIL programs for the hands and homes of Alabama children.
In addition to books, SAIL READS provides K–8 students with trained reading support, read-alouds, and intensive vocabulary activities designed to foster a lifelong love for literacy while bridging achievement gaps.
“Watching children build their own home libraries with ten high-quality books and engage with trained reading coaches has been amazing,” said Suzy Harris, SAIL Network Director. “We hope this experience sparks a genuine joy for reading that many of these students will carry back into their classrooms this fall.”
SAIL programs develop their own programming, both for academics and summer-camp activities. This flexibility allows each program to design a summer learning experience that meets students where they are academically, that is tailored to the child’s interests, and addresses the needs of the whole child.
About SAIL (Summer Adventures in Learning)
SAIL is a quality-assurance framework and funding collaborative dedicated to closing the summer achievement gap for Alabama students. By supporting faith-based, non-profit, and community organizations with robust data, peer learning, and resources, SAIL ensures that summer programs offer rigorous, enriching, and transformative learning environments.
- To view a list of SAIL programs in Birmingham:
https://sailalabama.org/birmingham/
- To view a list of SAIL programs in the Black Belt region:
https://sailalabama.org/blackbelt/
- To view a list of SAIL funding in the rest of Alabama:
https://sailalabama.org/outstate/
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Summer Adventures in Learning is a collective impact project that focuses on turning summer learning loss into gain. Learn more at sailalabama.org.