September 15th, 2026

Across Waterloo Region, more than 4,200 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 continued their learning through the Summer School Programs, strengthening their literacy and numeracy skills, building confidence, and preparing for success in September.

Students working on math with markers sitting at a desk
At the elementary level, 1,290 students registered to participate in summer learning designed to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy skills in supportive and engaging environments. Through small-group instruction and high-impact teaching practices, students received targeted support while developing relationships and confidence as learners.

Students engaged in learning

“The biggest thing I hope students take away from this is the opportunity to build or rebuild their confidence in a subject area,” shared Leanne, an educator during the Summer School Programs. Anastasiia, a Grade 6 student shared that learning in small groups helped her solve more math problems and feel more confident. Similarly, Machiappan said the program helped him better understand concepts in mathematics that had previously been challenging.

What made this year’s programming especially unique was the continued growth of culturally responsive and identity affirming learning opportunities. At Westmount Public School, Rohingya and Somali language programs supported multilingual learners while fostering a strong sense of community. At Westheights Public School, Indigenous-focused programming created opportunities for students to strengthen cultural connections while developing literacy and numeracy skills.

Educator conversing with students working with paint brushes

At the secondary level, approximately 530 students enrolled in in-person credit courses and 78 Grade 8 students participated in the in-person Reach Ahead programming hosted at Huron Heights Secondary School to earn a credit while building skills to support a successful transition to secondary school.

Student raising their hand answering a question

“The Reach Ahead course prepares students for secondary school through practical skills such as goal setting, organization, and time management, in addition to literacy and numeracy,” said Rowan, a secondary educator. “Being one of the first faces they meet in a high school setting is quite important and getting to have that positive impact early on is really cool.”

Student smiling at computer

For Emily, a Reach Ahead student, the program provided both academic and personal growth: “I love the community. We’re covering toppings about note-taking that are really helpful. Part of learning to prepare is asking for help, and I learned how to do that during summer school.”

Co-op student marking papers

Summer learning also continues to create meaningful opportunities through cooperative education and eLearning. This summer, 448 students participated in two-credit co-op placements, gaining hands-on experiences, exploring career interests, and earning credits. In addition, 3,171 students enrolled in eLearning courses, providing flexible learning options throughout the summer, while 59 Grade 8 students participated in the online Reach Ahead program that supported their transition to secondary school.

Student engaged in classroom work with educator and other students at the table

“I was surprised by how eager the students were to learn and how interactive they were with the co-op students,” said co-op student Jayden. “It really showed me how valuable these programs are and that students are getting the support they need. Co-op gave me the opportunity to try something new, explore a pathway I was interested in, and gain a much better idea of where I see myself in the future.”

Elementary students engaged in writing activity with markers

More than a traditional summer learning experience, Summer School Programs help students head into September with strong foundations, new relationships and experiences, and a clearer vision for future pathways.