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.