Some students opt to get ahead during the break
Aug 06, 2008 - 04:30 AM
By Crystal Crimi
DURHAM -- When Robyn Hobbs goes back to school this September, her course load will be a little lighter than many of her friends.
That's because she's using this summer to get a head start on her compulsory credits in summer school.
"It makes it a little easier I find," said Robyn, a 16-year-old student at Whitby's Sinclair Secondary School, entering her Grade 12 year. "And then you don't have to worry about all these classes as well - you just focus on one thing."
She's not the only one taking that route. As of July 3, the Durham District School Board had 1,069 students enrolled in accelerated courses through summer school, said John Beatty, superintendent of Durham Continuing Education. There is also 1,865 students taking remedial or upgrading summer school classes.
Accelerated programs can help reduce the amount of compulsory credits required during the school year, Mr. Beatty said.
"So they can fit in an arts program," Mr. Beatty said.
This is the second full-credit course Robyn's taken since her cousin told her it was easier. Last summer, she took math, while this summer she's taking Grade 12 English. For Grade 11 math, which isn't her best subject, she scored a mark in the high 70s opposed to in the 60s. Getting the course out of the way made her school year more relaxed.
"It was a relief because I didn't have to worry about doing it, I already finished it," Robyn said. "It allowed me to take a little more easier courses like co-op."
She took her co-op at an elementary school and now thinks she'd like to be a teacher. But, the experience is one she couldn't have realized without summer school or else she wouldn't have been able to achieve enough university courses.
"It sucks having to go to school while my friends are out, but during the year it ends up being worth it," she said.
Students can use their summer break to upgrade a mark as well.
"Even if they passed the class, they could retake it for practise," Mr. Beatty said. In Grade 9 and Grade 10, the higher mark is the only one that shows on their transcript.
The biggest benefit to summer school is it keeps students connected, Mr. Beatty said.
(Summer school is) "something to consider and shouldn't be viewed as punishment for something not done in the school year," he said.
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