Student enrollment now open at more than 40 Indy Summer Learning Labs
Student enrollment opened today for Indy Summer Learning Labs (ISLL), a five-week, free or low-cost academic and enrichment program aimed at boosting learning over summer break. The all-day program provides high-quality academic instruction and fun activities in a safe environment for Marion County students who will be entering first through ninth grade in the fall. The program is operated by The Mind Trust and United Way of Central Indiana in partnership with local schools, districts, and community organizations.
2023 program enrollment now open
ISLL will serve students for a third summer from June 12 through July 14. This year’s program is designed to reach 5,500 students at more than 40 sites, including community centers, churches and schools. Site enrollment is either free or low-cost. All sites will serve breakfast and lunch, and some locations will provide before- and after-school care.
Students who participate receive high-quality, in-person math and reading instruction each day from licensed teachers. Sites also provide fun enrichment activities, such as field trips, arts, STEM activities and more.
A full list of locations and information about individual site hours, enrollment and more can be found at indysummerlearninglabs.com/confirmed-locations. Families can enroll their students by contacting the location they’d like to attend. The deadline for student enrollment is May 26.
Summer teacher and teacher aide positions available
ISLL is now hiring teacher and teacher aides to provide in-person instruction and support at community-based sites. Teachers will be paid up to $10,000 for completing one week of training and five weeks of instruction. Qualified applicants must have a current Indiana teaching license, an emergency waiver, or be a recently retired teacher. Applicants will also be required to complete a background check.
ISLL teacher aides will be responsible for leading academic instruction under the supervision of a qualified teacher. ISLL teacher aides will be paid $25 per hour. Qualified applicants can be college students studying education or those with a background in supporting student learning in an academic setting. Teacher aide applicants will also go through a training and background check process.
Interested applicants can apply now at indysummerlearninglabs.com/for-teachers.
About Indy Summer Learning Labs
The Mind Trust and United Way of Central Indiana launched ISLL in 2021 to address learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is focused on serving students who stand to gain the most from expanded access to high-quality, summer academic programming. In 2022, ISLL served 5,000 Marion County students at 39 schools and community learning centers. Last year, 59% of ISLL students identified as Black and 16% identified as Latino. Sixty-eight percent of ISLL students qualified for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program.
Students who participated in 2021 and 2022 saw double-digit learning gains in math and reading as measured by an assessment taken at the start and end of the program. Notable program results from 2022 include:
- A 25 percentage point increase in basic and proficient scores for English/language arts (ELA)
- A 24 percentage point increase in basic and proficient scores for math
- A 15 percentage point increase in overall ELA and math scores
- 93% of participating families surveyed rated their experience as good or great
Additionally, the Indiana Department of Education commissioned an external study that found ISLL students achieved statistically significant gains above their pre-pandemic rates of learning and outperformed their peers who did not participate in the program.
This year, Bloomberg Philanthropies is working with The Mind Trust and United Way of Central Indiana to provide financial support for charter school students enrolled in Indy Summer Learning Labs. Additionally, Indianapolis public charter schools that choose to use an alternative curriculum to ISLL and are serving rising first through ninth graders in fall 2023 could apply for funding through Summer Boost, a program of Bloomberg Philanthropies. ISLL helped inspire Summer Boost, which is expanding from New York City to seven additional cities, including Indianapolis, in 2023.
About United Way of Central Indiana
United Way is a community of donors, advocates, volunteers and partners who fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. United Way invites all members of our community to LIVE UNITED by giving, advocating and volunteering to improve lives in Central Indiana. Visit www.uwci.org to learn more.
About The Mind Trust
The Mind Trust is an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit that works to build a system of schools that gives every student, no exceptions, access to a high-quality education. The Mind Trust does this by building a supportive environment for schools through policy and community engagement, empowering talented, diverse educators to launch new schools, and providing existing schools with the support they need to hire world-class talent and achieve excellence. Since 2006, The Mind Trust has supported the launch of 49 schools, 15 education nonprofit organizations, and has helped place more than 1,800 teachers and school leaders in Indianapolis classrooms.