GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) – Summer at GRPS is more than just a break, it’s a season of growth and discovery for many scholars. The district’s Ignite Summer Learning program is supporting more than 1,000 scholars to get a strong start for the 2025-26 school year.
The six-week program, hosted at five schools, is designed to prevent the “summer slide” while offering hands-on experiences.
“Our scholars are learning, they're having fun,” said Chasciti Jackson Bell, Ignite Summer Learning Principal at Gerald R. Ford Academic Center. “We're building meaningful relationships.”
Throughout the summer, GRPS created immersive learning opportunities by partnering with organizations like The Diatribe, Grand Rapids Community College Promise Zone, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids Public Museum, GR Outside, Kids' Food Basket, and the West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT).
“You can read about it, you can hear about it, but when you actually put your hands on it, it teaches you more in-depth, it stays ingrained a lot longer,” said Israel Ausua Jr., Ignite Summer Learning Principal at Harrison Park Academy.
Scholars say the program is making a difference.
“If people were not doing math over the summer or reading and just playing video games or stuff, then they would forget most of the stuff,” explained Charles, who will enter 7th grade this fall.
“We've been learning math and reading,” added Reponse, who will enter 4th grade this fall. “We've been doing PBL (project-based learning). It's been fun.”
You can learn more about Ignite Summer Learning at grps.org/summer.
