Indy Summer Learning Labs Kicks Off Its Sixth Summer
(June 15, 2026) – Today, thousands of Indianapolis students walked through the doors of Indy Summer Learning Labs (ISLL) sites across the city for the first day of this year’s program. Now in its sixth consecutive summer, ISLL is a free, five-week summer learning and enrichment program for Indianapolis students entering grades 1 through 9. Operated by The Mind Trust and supported by schools, districts, and community organizations, the program aims to serve more than 5,300 students at 60 sites this summer, with most sites running from June 15 through July 17.
“Every summer, I’m reminded of why this work matters so much. Seeing our educators show up, prepared and passionate, ready to welcome students on Day 1, is something that I always look forward to. Indy Summer Learning Labs exists because Indianapolis families deserve access to high-quality education all year long, and this summer, we’re proud to deliver that for thousands of students across our city,” said Jazmin Sanders, Senior Director of Innovative Learning.
Double-Digit Learning Gains, Every Summer Since 2021
ISLL was launched in 2021 to address learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide high-quality summer learning to students who need it most. All ISLL students receive daily math and reading instruction from licensed teachers who use a curriculum created by Lavinia Group, designed to accelerate reading over summer break.
Since its first year, the program has grown enrollment by more than 75% and continues to show measurable learning gains for all student groups. Every year since 2021, participating students have seen double-digit learning gains in math and reading, as measured by an assessment administered at the start and end of the program.
2026 ISLL Program Highlights:
- All Sites Free: For the first time, all ISLL sites are free during the 5-week program period. Some sites may charge for additional weeks, but the main program dates are available at no cost to help ensure that students who most need summer programming can access it.
- 60 Sites: This year’s program spans a high of 60 locations, including community centers, churches, and schools throughout the city. Click here to view the 2026 site map.
- Strong Enrollment: As of the first day of the program, more than 5,300 students are enrolled this year and will receive high-quality summer education and enrichment.
- Dedicated Educators: Over 350 licensed teachers and instructional assistants have been hired to deliver high-quality, in-person instruction in math and reading.
- Comprehensive Services: All sites provide free breakfast, lunch, and snacks, and many offer transportation options and before and after-school care, which may come at an additional cost.
- Engaging Activities: In addition to daily math and reading instruction, enrichment activities will include arts, STEM projects, and field trips to places such as The Indianapolis Zoo, The Children’s Museum, roller skating rinks, and much more.
Impact of Indy Summer Learning Labs
Understanding who we serve and how well we’re serving them is at the heart of ISLL. Every student takes pre- and post-assessments in math and reading, giving us a clear picture of learning gains from the first day of the program to the last and helping us continuously improve the experience for students year after year.
Notable, strong program results from 2025 include:
- A 27 percentage point increase in basic and proficient scores for reading.
- A 27 percentage point increase in basic and proficient scores for math.
- A 73% math proficiency rate across ISLL sites, as measured by a post-test.
For more information, visit indysummerlearninglabs.com.
A Part of Something Bigger: Summer Learning Labs Statewide
The Mind Trust is one of four anchor partners in the 2026 Summer Learning Labs (SLL) program, which will collectively serve nearly 12,000 students at 117 sites across Indiana this summer. Other 2026 anchor partners include:
- BGC Summer Learning Labs, run by Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor, will serve nearly 5,800 students across the state.
- Southeast Summer Learning Labs, run by Creating Avenues for Student Transformation (CAST), will serve 200 students in Campbellsburg, Hanover, Salem, and New Pekin.
- Wabash Summer Learning Labs, run by Wabash County YMCA, will serve 50 students in North Manchester.
Learn more at thesummerlearninglabs.com.