Summers at Parker: Extended School Year (ESY)

Parker Academy offers an Extended School Year (ESY) program for middle and high school students who require continued support during the summer to maintain the skills they’ve worked hard to build throughout the school year. Our ESY program runs for four weeks in July, Monday through Friday from 8:30–11:30 a.m., and is available only to students who have ESY services written into their IEP.
 
While ESY supports the maintenance of academic skills, it is intentionally designed to feel non-academic. The primary focus of our summer program is strengthening social pragmatics, emotional regulation, and overall wellness in engaging, in real-world ways. Students participate in active, hands-on experiences such as fishing, gardening, outdoor games, Parker Olympics, and community-based field trips. Movement and time outdoors are central to our approach, as physical activity plays a key role in regulation, engagement, and learning. Academic skills are thoughtfully woven into these activities so students can maintain progress without the pressure of a traditional classroom setting. 

ESY is also a great opportunity for new students to meet Parker peers and staff in a smaller, lower-pressure environment. For incoming students, this can be an especially helpful way to build comfort and connection before the school year begins, and we strongly encourage participation when ESY is included in a student’s IEP. Our goal is for students to leave ESY feeling confident, connected, and ready for a smooth transition back into the school year.