Despite school ending on June 3, and a number of districts in the state cutting summer school, the Wm. S. Hart Union High School District will have a number of students continuing their learning this summer.

With school districts across the state canceling summer school due to the State’s budget crisis, the Hart District has been able to maintain a summer program that will benefit approximately 6,000 students this year.

Students in special education whose Individualized Learning Program call for year-round services also will have summer classes.

The continuation of classes is part of a creative partnerships with College of the Canyons and Opportunities for Learning charter.  The Hart District will be able to provide a modified summer program that still meets the needs of district students while trimming up to $500,000 from summer school costs to the district.

High school students who take summer school for remediation do so to make up credits or to improve a grade.  In the past, high school students have been able to make up two classes during a 24-day summer program.

Although budget reductions have cut that program in half, high school students will still have the opportunity to make up one five-credit course during a summer session from July 1 to 16.

Classes will be held at Canyon, Saugus, and West Ranch high schools.

Students who need to make up more than one class can take advantage of alternative options, such as enrollment at Mission View or Opportunities for Learning charter schools, College of the Canyons or BYU Online.

The most popular summer course for high school students is Health.

The Hart District’s partnership with Opportunities for Learning, allows students to take a two-week Health course during the summer session beginning July 1 that fulfills the state and district requirement for graduation.  The Health classes will take place at Canyon, Saugus and West Ranch high schools, and are taught by Hart District teachers using Hart District curriculum.

The Hart District’s summer enrichment program has been offered for the several years in partnership with College of the Canyons.  Through this program, the Hart District will offer Modern Civilizations, Algebra and Geometry during a five-week summer program, which will begin on June 14.

Enriched classes are being held at Saugus High School and allow motivated students to take classes that they might have trouble fitting into their schedules during the regular school year.

Junior high students are offered a two-week summer institute beginning July 1, designed to re-teach important core concepts.  Junior High English and Bridge to Algebra are being offered at Placerita Junior High School and Canyon High School.

Students who have failed a class or want to re-take a class to improve their grades can apply directly to their summer school site for admission.

Students from Golden Valley and Canyon high schools will attend summer school at Canyon; Hart and West Ranch students at West Ranch; and Saugus and Valencia students at Saugus.

Even with the reduced number of available classes, every student who has applied for summer school to date has been admitted, according to Danny McHorney, the district’s summer school coordinator.

Classes are currently closed only because teachers have been hired and classes are ready to start as early as next Monday.

The summer school enrichment program runs June 14 to July 16; the special education program runs June 21 to July 16; and the traditional remedial summer school runs from July 1 to 16.

Classes are scheduled from 7 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at all sites except for the regional special education program at Valencia High School, with runs from 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.