Hollister
– San Benito High School Wednesday night announced how it plans
to determine which 250 students will be allowed to take enrichment
courses during the summer school session, a program so popular that
1,700 students enrolled last year.
Hollister – San Benito High School Wednesday night announced how it plans to determine which 250 students will be allowed to take enrichment courses during the summer school session, a program so popular that 1,700 students enrolled last year.
Although over half of the school’s 2,800 students typically enroll in summer school, only around 800 complete the entire six-week program. The state only pays for “enrichment education” for 5 percent of a school’s student population or, in this case, 150 students. Summer school classes are considered enrichment education if the student enrolled doesn’t need any extra credits to graduate on time.
“A lot of students want to participate in sports or ASB,” said Vanessa Buelna, SBHS Associated Student Body Spokesperson. “So if they take their harder classes over the summer it won’t conflict with their activities later in the year.”
Students who have yet to pass the California High School Exit Exam, score at basic or below proficiency on standardized tests, or who have failed a class and need to repeat it in order to graduate are considered “remediation” students. The state reimburses the district for all of those students’ summer school costs.
Last year, the high school paid $155,000 for summer school programs and the state paid $69,000.
By capping enrichment student enrollment at 250 students, the district only will pay $30,000 this year for 100 students and the state will cover the expense for the other 150 students, said SBHS Director of Finance and Operations Jim Koenig.
“You have to factor in the cost of the teachers, as well as materials and the cost of keeping the campus running,” he said.
If more than 250 students enroll, the school will hold a lottery to determine who will have a desk when summer school begins June 19. However, students participating in SBHS’ AVID program – which helps under-represented students become eligible for and attend college – will have priority over students taking enrichment education classes.
“These students are taking advanced classes so they have that priority,” said Principal Debbie Padilla. “But because they are part of that population that has the potential to do very well but might not be demonstrating that, it is entirely possible that they might be testing at basic or below and fall into that remediation category for funding.”
Initially SBHS educators had hoped that Gavilan College courses might be offered at the high school campus for students interested in summer enrichment. And while Gavilan officials are excited about such courses in the future, they do not have enough time to prepare before summer school begins this year, said Director of Ed. Services Cindy Cordova Wednesday.
Students in good academic standing and who pass a skills assessment test offered by the college are allowed to take summer courses for $26 per unit, or about $78 per class. Students also are required to purchase their own textbooks. In comparison, Koenig estimates that a high school summer course for one student costs the district about $440.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637- 5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
