Sawyerville Summer Learning is a free, five-week summer intensive study in reading and math for rising third- and
​fourth-grade students in Greensboro, AL. 

Video by Allison Kendrick and Tiara Harris

Mission Statement

The mission of Sawyerville Summer Learning is to help close the achievement gap and prevent summer learning loss in Greensboro, Alabama. SSL will work toward this mission by hosting a multi-week summer learning program in which students will strengthen their literacy and math skills. Additionally, SSL is invested in helping students grow as scholars and citizens through participation in academic field trips, community engagement, and other enrichment opportunities.

2018 Successes

  • 33 students completed the four-week program
  • 96 hours of instruction in reading, math, science, chess, swimming, and maker's space, an engineering program
  • Three field trips to Birmingham, AL where students visited the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Birmingham Zoo, and the Civil Rights Institute
  • Free breakfast and lunch served to every student every day​

​On average, students advanced by 2.7 reading levels in just four weeks.
On average, students not only beat the "summer slide" but gained .5 months of learning in reading and 1.5 months of learning in math.

Education Statistics

According to the U.S. Department of Education and The United Way of West Alabama, one in four Alabamians is functionally illiterate, unable to read, write, or use basic math and technology skills in everyday life.
 
According to the National Summer Learning Loss Association,
  • During the summer months, low-income students lose more than two months in reading achievement, despite the fact that their middle-class peers make slight gains.
  • More than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities. As a result, low-income youth are less likely to graduate from high school or enter college.
According to the 2016 Alabama Kids Count Data Book,​​
  • 37.9.% of fourth-graders in Alabama are proficient in reading.
  • 47.9% of fourth-graders in Alabama are proficient in math.
  • In Hale County, the average 11th grade ACT composite score is a 16.

Teach at SSL

We're looking for certified elementary education teachers who can serve for at least one week in the summertime. Teachers receive a stipend and housing and meals are provided in Greensboro. We'd love to have you on our team!

​Do you know how to administer a running reading record? We need teachers to help us track our students' progress over the course of the summer. Let us know if you can help!