The National Summer School Initiative (NSSI)

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to summer learning. Sarah Campbell from KIPP DC shared how her team approached the build vs. buy decision with clarity and purpose. They bought ELA from NSSI—because it aligned with their school-year curriculum and offered teachers a consistent, high-quality experience with built-in PD. They saw it as an investment not just in instruction, but in teacher growth. They built math internally—because that’s where they had the data, the flexibility, and the capacity to tailor it tightly to student needs. The goal? A program that helps students fill gaps now and helps teachers level up for the year ahead. Not every subject needs the same solution. What matters is choosing the right model for the right reasons. 💬 How are you thinking about the build or buy decision in your district? #SummerLearning #Curriculum

Our CEO Nancy Livingston, MBA was inspired by the fresh ideas and the deep educator community at the ASU+GSV Summit. Check out her reflections below.

District leaders don’t ask this question casually. When Erica Godfrey from City Schools of Decatur said this during our recent LinkedIn Live, it resonated deeply. Not because it was flashy—but because it was true. If you’re asking should we build or buy, you already know something isn’t working as well as it should. Maybe it’s burnout. Maybe it’s inconsistency. Maybe it’s that gut feeling that your summer learning program needs a reset. The solution doesn’t have to be permanent. You don’t have to make sweeping changes. You can start small and pilot something new. Test a different model. Shift just one element—curriculum, staffing, or structure—and learn from the experience. Sometimes the most strategic move is the smallest one. Learn more insights from the conversation (link in comments). #EdLeaders #K12Education

✅ Low lift, high return on investment. That was the goal for Erica Godfrey, Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning at City Schools of Decatur. When district leaders are trying to build an impactful and cost-effective summer program, they’re not just weighing budgets—they’re weighing burnout, bandwidth, and long-term impact. Godfrey shared how partnering with NSSI didn’t just protect teacher capacity—it brought consistency, comprehensive programming, and professional development that exceeded expectations. “I was pleasantly surprised and felt really supported,” she said. “And I think our teachers kind of shared that same sentiment.” Sometimes the return on investment isn’t just financial. It’s how supported your people feel. ❤️ #PD #ProfessionalLearning #SummerPrograms

Every district wants a strong summer program. But should you build it—or buy it? Two district leaders break down what really matters. Designing summer school isn’t just a scheduling task—it’s a leadership decision. In our latest blog, two district leaders share how they approached the build vs. buy question—and what they learned from taking a hybrid approach. They talk candidly about hidden costs, teacher burnout, coherence with school-year learning, and what kind of support actually moves the needle for students. If you’re planning summer 2025, this is a must-read—and we’ve included a free checklist to help guide your own decision-making. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eK7PScem #K12Education #EdLeadership

"I've been able to take the NSSI rubrics and incorporate them into my regular practice because they're just so clear, really student-centered, and usable." Veteran educator Tracy Carness from Alliance College-Ready Public Schools serves up her take on NSSI’s summer program – where the model cuts the fluff and lets her focus on what really matters: teaching front and center.   #SummerLearning #SummerSchool

Planning an effective summer school program comes with a big decision: Should your district build its own program or partner with an established provider? In this LinkedIn Live, our expert panelists share firsthand insights and actionable tips to help districts navigate this choice. We’ll break down the key factors to consider, including curriculum development, teacher workload, cost predictability, and scalability. Plus, attendees will be the first to access our brand-new Build vs. Buy Guide—a practical checklist designed to help districts make this decision with confidence. Join us to explore the best strategies for maximizing student success, reducing administrative burdens, and making the most of your summer learning investment. Panelists: 🎤 Keri Hubbard, Chief Program Officer at NSSI (Host) 🎤 Erica Godfrey, City Schools of Decatur 🎤 Sarah Campbell , KIPP DC 📅 RSVP now to gain expert guidance on making the right summer school decision!

🚨 Join us tomorrow at 11:AM EST for a Linkedin Live where our expert panelists will offer firsthand insights and actionable tips to help district leaders navigate a big decision: Should your district build its own program or partner with an established provider? We'll provide a break down of key considerations including: ✅ Curriculum development ✅ Teacher workload ✅ Cost predictability ✅ Scalability 🌟 Bonus: attendees get a first look as our brand-new Build vs. Buy Guide—a practical checklist designed to help districts make this decision with confidence. 📅 RSVP now to gain expert guidance on making the most of your summer learning investment. #EdLeadership #K12Education #EdTech

🔥 The Sizzle is back with its third issue, and this one is heating up the conversation on summer learning. Summer isn’t just a break—it’s a moment of opportunity. A chance to accelerate learning, re-engage students, and strengthen Tier 1 instruction so every student starts the new year on stronger footing. The latest NAEP results are a wake-up call: fewer than one-third of students scored proficient in reading and math. The urgency for high-quality summer programs has never been greater. 💡 What’s cooking in this issue: ✅ Build vs. Buy? A LinkedIn Live webinar featuring district leaders weighing their summer program options. ✅ Three hot takes from AASA: What’s working, what’s next, and what’s keeping district leaders up at night. ✅ Meet veteran educator Tracy Carness—her take on what makes a summer curriculum work. ✅ What we’re reading & listening to: A book on adaptability, post-pandemic education insights, and a playlist that’ll transport you to summer in 1960s Spanish Harlem. 📅 Don’t miss our Build vs. Buy? webinar on March 25—register now for early access to our checklist. #EdLeaders #K12Education #StudentSuccess

Summer school isn’t just for students—it’s a training ground for teachers. Kate Mehok, Co-Founder and CEO of Crescent City Schools, shares how summer learning gives educators a chance to refine their practice in a low-stakes setting. With smaller class sizes and hands-on experience, teachers gain confidence and improve their ability to deliver high-quality instruction. This approach doesn’t just benefit students—it builds stronger educators for the year ahead. Gain more insights from our recent EdWebinar on Leveraging Summer School to Improve Tier 1 Instruction in this blog post: https://lnkd.in/eAx8kBYB #EducationLeaders #SummerSchool