Yakima Schools to Offer Free Summer Program for Grades 1-9

The Yakima School District has plans to start a summer learning program in 2026 for students in grades 1st through 9th grades.

A GRANT IS HELPING TO START THE PROGRAM

The summer program is being made possible through a $200,000 preliminary planning grant through the private Ballmer Summer Discovery initiative. The funding marks an important first step toward launching a high-quality, no-cost summer learning program for students starting in Summer 2026. The grant will support YSD in developing detailed plans for the "Summer Discovery" program.

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TRYING TO AVOID THE SUMMER LEARNING LOSS

The initiative aims to provide enriching experiences that cut down summer learning loss, promote educational growth, and extend learning opportunities beyond the traditional school year. The funds will cover the expenses related to designing and organizing the program, which will be offered free of charge to families in the district. Targeting students in grades 1 through 9, the program will benefit students across 20 elementary and middle schools within the district.

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FULL DAY PROGRAM

The focus will be on full-day programs that foster academic achievement, safety, and engagement during the summer months. Superintendent Dr. Trevor Greene says "this $200,000 provides a runway to create a Summer Discovery program that is academically rigorous, culturally responsive, and engaging for students and families.

POTENTIAL SHOULD NEVER TAKE A BREAK

Our goal is to eliminate summer learning loss and expand opportunities because our students’ potential should never take a break.” The Yakima School District is collaborating with the Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD) to manage the grant and ensure the program’s successful development. The district is committed to building a summer program that supports student success and lifelong learning.