Bloomberg Philanthropies has announced the launch of a $50 million summer learning program, Summer Boost NYC, with a focus on students in public charter schools in New York City. 

All 241 New York City public charter schools currently serving K-8 students can apply for the program, which will focus on providing learning opportunities to the lowest-performing students. Summer Boost NYC is spearheaded by Bloomberg with support from Kenneth C. Griffin, Stan Druckenmiller, the Carson Family Charitable Trust, Robin Hood, Gray Foundation, and Walentas Foundation. 

With a focus on collectively helping about 25,000 students entering grades 1-9 in the fall, schools will be able to direct resources where they are needed most, but each will offer a high-quality half- or full-day curriculum attentive to improving reading levels and math fluency. Each school will commit to measuring outcomes and ensuring students attend at least 80 percent of the program.

“After two years of school closures and inadequate remote instruction, students across the U.S. have suffered unprecedented learning loss,” said former New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “The harm has fallen heaviest on the children who were already too far behind, especially low-income Black and Latino students. That could have devastating effects on their chances for graduating high school and going to college or beginning a career...The private sector and philanthropic groups also have a duty to step in and do what they can to help get kids back on track. This is an all-hands on deck moment. This summer is a valuable opportunity to make up for lost ground, and we’re not going to let it slip by.” 

(Photo Credit: Getty Images/Ridofranz)