A Summer of Learning, Exploration, and Growth Across Areté Education

This summer, Areté Education has brought learning opportunities to students across multiple program sites, ensuring that young people continue to grow academically, socially, and emotionally while school is out. Through engaging enrichment activities, hands-on STEM experiences, exciting field trips, and opportunities to build new friendships, students have spent the summer discovering new interests and creating lasting memories.

Summer Programming at MS 223

Areté Education welcomed nearly 60 incoming sixth-grade students to its Summer Enrichment Program, providing a supportive environment where students can build confidence and prepare for a successful transition into middle school. Each day, approximately 55 students participate in a dynamic schedule of enrichment classes designed to keep them engaged, active, and learning throughout the summer. Students rotate through interactive activities including Game Theory, Arts & Crafts, Dance, and Sports Enrichment, developing creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and teamwork while forming new friendships with their peers.

One of the highlights of the program has been the weekly Friday field trips, which encourage recreation, team building, and community engagement. Students kicked off the summer with a visit to an AMC Theater to watch Toy Story 5 before enjoying another exciting outing to Dave & Buster’s, where they strengthened friendships through arcade games and prizes.

Summer Rising at P.S. 98

At P.S. 98, Areté’s Summer Rising program has provided 100 elementary school students with a vibrant environment where learning extends far beyond the classroom. Throughout the summer, students have participated in Dance, Visual Arts, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Sports & Wellness, and Arts & Crafts. These offerings encourage creativity, physical activity, self-expression, and social-emotional growth.

Student engagement has remained strong throughout the program. In addition to enrichment programming, students participate in two hours of STEM instruction each week, where they explore scientific concepts through hands-on projects. This summer, students have made homemade ice cream while learning about freezing points, built solar ovens to make s’mores using renewable energy, engineered bridges using everyday materials, and will finish the summer by creating slime while exploring the science of polymers.

Students have also enjoyed memorable field trips that blend learning with fun. They became chefs for the day at UNO Pizzeria by making their own pizzas, spent an afternoon at AMC watching Minions vs. Monsters, and are looking forward to an exciting visit to Billy Beez to celebrate the final weeks of summer through active play and team-building.

The summer will conclude with an End-of-Summer Showcase on Thursday, August 6, where students and families will celebrate the creativity, growth, and accomplishments from the program. As another successful summer comes to a close, the skills students have gained will continue to support them as they enter the new school year ready to learn and thrive.