Detroit Public Schools Community District’s (DPSCD) Summer Learning Experiences 2022 have concluded and will culminate with eligible students looking forward to graduation on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at Renaissance High School at 5 p.m. In addition to completing necessary course work through credit recovery or better positioning themselves with academic acceleration, students stayed smart, had fun, and learned practical life skills this summer.

Through an array of after-school enrichment activities that supplemented the student’s academic work, were significant elements of Summer Learning Experiences 2022, which were on national display during a visit by the First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden and U.S. Education Secretary, Miguel Cardona. The White House leaders visited Schulze Elementary-Middle School in July to get a first-hand look at the model used in DPSCD.

“The Detroit Public Schools Community District thoroughly demonstrated how the state's largest District has leveraged the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to move closer to returning students to academic growth and outstanding achievement in the classroom through impactful summer learning experiences. Students are engaged in academic learning and exciting enrichment activities from English Language Arts, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) to basic living skills that support the District's whole-child commitment. We are excited to see the students’ progress and the District's strategic leadership focus on students first in their fiscally responsible decisions,” said Dr. Biden.

As the First Lady and Sec. Cardona looked on, instructors from Bluecar, one of many District enrichment activities partners, thoughtfully taught students about safe and creative ways drones are used and how to leverage photography to share impactful stories. In another classroom, Yolanda Scarborough from Camp Dinner Table, another DPSCD partner, led her students through a cooking demonstration to the delight of the First Lady and Sec. Cardona. In addition, middle school (6^th-8^th grade) students who took classes at DPSCD’s Foreign Language and Immersion Cultural School (FLICS) enjoyed their academic and enrichment activities.

With support from partners Lawn Academy and The Konnection (yes, it is spelled with a K), the students played a version of the famed game show “The Price is Right” to learn lessons in financial literacy. Another student favorite was landscape design, according to Konnection CEO Sharnese Marshall.

“Our nature walks were a huge hit with the students as they were able to see in real time what landscaping is truly like,” said Marshall, adding that students worked together during the final week of Summer Learning Experiences to design a landscaping plan for their assigned school.

DPSCD’s Summer Learning Experiences 2022 served more than 7,000 of our students.  As the start of the new school year approaches on August 29, 2022, visit detroitk12.org/enrollment for information on school open houses, block parties and more this month. Please continue to share your stories around our theme, When Legends Rise.