It's the middle of June, yet classes are in full swing at 13 Cincinnati Public Schools.
Called Fifth Quarter, this four-week full-day extension of the school year is one of several innovative projects spearheaded by Superintendent Mary Ronan to continue to improve students' academic achievement.
Only days after Fifth Quarter started, it already had attracted the attention of U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who praised the program during a speech in Milwaukee. Duncan encouraged other districts to follow CPS' lead in finding effective methods of spending federal money to help high-poverty, low-performing schools.
The Elementary Initiative, which includes Fifth Quarter, targets elementary schools in need of intense academic improvement and supports them with individual student success plans, expert coaching and special training.
This new extension of the school year is aimed at keeping students actively learning beyond the school year, and began with just a one-day gap from the end of the school year.
"We see the Fifth Quarter as the best way to allow learning to continue right after the regular school year ends. Students will be in their same schools, with their same teachers, so the transition will be seamless," Superintendent Ronan said. "We know these students will be better prepared to do well in school in August because of less time away from the classrooms this summer."
What helps make this non-mandatory Fifth Quarter appealing to students and families is the array of afternoon activities that aim to make learning fun.
Ronan applauded CPS' many community partners who stepped up to provide enrichment activities each afternoon during the new Fifth Quarter, including fine arts, technology, fitness and environmental education - at no cost to the district. Some of the enrichment providers include: MindPeace, Growing Well, CincyAfterSchool, Literacy Network, Adopt A Class, and Leave No Child Inside.