Lower School Division News May 15, 2025

By Dr. Debra Sass, Lower School Division Head

Dear parents and families,

Perhaps you’ve heard of the “Summer Slide,” which is the distinct learning loss that students can experience when out of school. “A regression in academic proficiency due to summer break, experts warn, hinders kids’ progress when they head back to school.”  

“The concept of the summer slide has been on researchers’ radar since at least 1996, when one of the first comprehensive studies on the phenomenon was published. The study showed that kids lose significant knowledge in reading and math over summer break, which tends to have a snowball effect as they experience subsequent skill loss each year.  A more recent study of children in 3rd to 5th grades also showed that students lost, on average, about 20 percent of their school-year gains in reading and 27 percent of their school-year gains in math during summer break.” 

In Barbara Heyns’ study, “Summer Learning and the Effects of Schooling,” she was able to identify summer “parameters” influential to learning by comparing learning gains during the school year to learning gains during the summer in students.

• This research found that children who did not read at all over the summer experienced a loss of reading skills equivalent to as much as an entire grade level.
• Children who read at least six books during the summer either maintained or improved their reading skills.

Through Winston’s summer reading and math programs and our teachers’ specific summer assignments, we provide students with high-quality books, resources, and engagement opportunities to keep them learning over the summer.  We hope to prevent the “Summer Slide” at Winston by giving students the tools they need to continue learning even when out of school.  If you’re interested in participating in summer school at Winston, you can check our programs out by following this link: Winston Summer

However, it’s important to remember that kids also benefit from rest over the summer in numerous ways, including improved mental and physical health, a chance to recharge, and an opportunity to explore interests and social connections.  The summer break allows for a respite from the academic pressures and routines of the school year.  Take time for these things too!

Fun is also good.  Enjoy your summer,

Dr. Debra Sass