Summer program sets incoming freshman up for success in high school

In 2013, Summit High School in the Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) launched a summer intervention program for incoming ninth graders to address the achievement gap and lack of preparedness for high school. In 2017, inspired by a career technical education (CTE) conference, teachers retooled the Golden Bell Award-winning program to have a college and career focus that integrates English and math standards and allows students to earn 10 elective credits to launch their high school journey.

With the support of the FUSD Board of Education, the Summer Bridge Program connected its goals to reflect those in the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan, aligning resources and helping improve student outcomes. Using a variety of assessment data from students’ records and input from teachers on needed prerequisite skills, the program uses technological activities embedded with English and math standards as an intervention to prepare students academically for success in high school. Students spend the month of June completing a cross-curricular technology and business project, leading to a culminating group competition. Students engage with technology and the engineering design process through 3D printing, coding, web design and rockets, along with other core subjects like English. These projects not only reinforce core academic skills, but also cultivate real-world competencies that can be used in the future.

To help with the social-emotional transition from middle school to high school, the program utilizes the Summit High’s Link Crew leaders — junior and senior students who mentor freshman during their first year. Student leaders guide freshmen through their transition, providing invaluable insights, encouragement and a sense of community. This mentorship not only eases the social and emotional adjustments of entering high school but also fosters leadership skills in the older students. Junior and senior science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students also provide tutoring.

“Summit’s Summer Bridge Program gives our incoming freshmen a head start in high school and connects them with student leaders who can guide them through those difficult first days,” Summer Bridge Coordinator Jennifer Karpinski said. “Thanks to the Summer Bridge program, freshmen attendance is up, test scores are up and new students have become more involved with school.”

Program results

Students who have attended the Summer Bridge Program over the last five years have a 96.8 percent average attendance rate during their freshman year. As they continued in high school, Summer Bridge student attendance has never dropped below 95 percent. A student survey regarding how the program prepares students for matriculation in the fall found that 91 percent of these students agreed they were shown ways to get involved and were confident that they would join at least one extracurricular activity in high school.

The program has also seen some success in closing achievement gaps. Over the last five years, students in the program outperformed their peers who did not participate — Summer Bridge students averaged a 43 percent higher pass rate in math, a 30 percent higher pass rate in science and a 22 percent higher pass rate in English.

One student shared how the program helped open up the world of STEM: “Before attending the Summer Bridge Program, I barely knew how to turn on a computer. That transformative summer was my first experience coding, using CAD software and building a robot. It opened my eyes to the vast possibilities within STEM, sparking a deep interest in computer science and robotics. The program ignited my passion and gave me the skills and confidence to pursue a rewarding career in STEM, and my enthusiasm has only grown since that pivotal summer.” The 2021 graduate now attends the California Institute of Technology.

“Summit High’s Summer Bridge Program has had a transformative impact on our students,” said Superintendent Miki R. Inbody. “This program exemplifies the power of innovation and mentorship in fostering academic success, confidence and engagement among our incoming freshmen. The Golden Bell Award is a credit to the dedication of Summit’s educators and student leaders who ensure every new student begins high school on a strong foundation for success.”