September 30th, 2025

At the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB), learning continues all year long. Over the summer, more than 4,500 students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 continued their learning through summer programming provided at WRDSB schools across the region. 

Learning Happens Year-Round At The WRDSB

The Summer Enhancement and Summer School Program is more than additional learning and credit enhancement opportunities; it is a space where learning feels exciting, inclusive and meaningful. Students share the benefits of the engaging experiences, while educators reflect on strategies to prevent learning loss and collaborative opportunities to further explore their own pedagogy and promote pathways for student success. The Summer Enhancement Program at WRDSB focuses on seeing every student as capable and full of potential.

The Summer Enhancement and Summer School programs support student learning by integrating social-emotional learning into all parts of the program. With a focus on collaboration, curiosity, and connection, the programs help spark a love of learning that students carry throughout the school year. The programs also use proven teaching strategies to address learning gaps and focus on grade-specific curriculum goals to prepare students for the upcoming school year.

Measuring the Impact of the Summer Learning Programs

Students shared how their experiences helped them to be better organized, gain a better understanding of certain subjects, and spend time with their friends over the summer, but the impact goes further. The data shows us that: 

  • 3,268 students completed credit-bearing secondary courses
  • By the end of the summer enhancement program, 23% more Grade 6 to 8 students were proficient in math 
  • A team of 3 social workers provided 31 social-emotional learning workshops for the summer enhancement program
  • In-person learners were 99% successful in earning their credits 
  • 429 students completed a two-credit co-op placement
  • 2,546 individual certifications were earned by co-op students, supporting them as they prepare to take their next steps on their chosen pathways

Watch: Rethinking Summer School: A New Kind of Learning Experience