On May 31, hundreds gathered at C2G in downtown Fort Wayne for MLK Montessori’s 2018 graduation ceremony! 50 students, donning caps and gowns, walked the stage and received specially embroidered backpacks (commemorating MLK Montessori’s 50th anniversary). The backpacks—which were full of books, crayons, scissors, and other kindergarten essentials—ensure that these graduating students have the supplies required for kindergarten, just as MLK’s high-quality Montessori program ensures that they have the knowledge and skills that are required for success.
Although the 2018 school year has drawn to a close, the learning doesn’t stop. We have 50 students enrolled in our 2018 Summer Program, which begins June 11. Between the end of one school year and the start of the next, every student risks "summer learning loss." Without appropriate academic stimulation, on average, the equivalent of one month of overall learning is lost over summer vacation. This phenomenon can be especially detrimental to low-income students, as they are even less likely than more advantaged students to take enriching summer trips, to have access to enticing educational toys, or to engage in interactions that build their vocabularies and their general store of knowledge. Indeed, research demonstrates that summer learning loss is a significant contributor to the achievement gap.
To combat summer learning loss and to ensure that the young children we serve continue to have access to a safe and nurturing learning environment, we at MLK Montessori offer a six-week Summer Program. Although our Summer Program is more focused on play, students continue to have access to stimulating Montessori materials and are engaged in a variety of enriching learning activities and field trips.
