SUMMERDAZE: ENROLLMENT UP AGAIN

They're lining up for Jackson's summer school program.

The number enrolled in the Jackson summer school program has increased once again. In the grades K-8 the number has risen from 463 in 1997 to 625 this year.

At the high school, the numbers rose from a little more than 200 in 1997 to 300 this year.

The program, which started three years ago, is an intensive 16-day stint of classes designed to enrich and remediate students grades K-12.

Co-summer school directors Joe Crain (K-8) and Kevin Bohnert (9-12) are proud of the program that is helping boost student's self-esteem and allowing high school students opportunities to graduate early or to keep pace with their original graduation date.

The goals of the summer school are to build self-esteem, remediate where necessary, give enrichment skills to all students and provide a learning environment for all students.

Crain said the relaxed environment and good planning and teaching practices have made it a success.

"Nearly a third of our school population in the lower grades is coming to school," Crain said. Bohnert said the same of the high school population.

"I think students are interested in education. They enjoy an open classroom environment that explores a different theme each year," Crain said of the program for the grades K-8.

"Kids get to view learning as fun," he added.

At the high school the classes are held in both the morning and afternoon.

Students can earn a half-year credit during the session per course. So they can earn up to one full year credit if they attend in both the morning and afternoon.

Some of the courses offerred are military history, pathology, agriculture leadership, keyboarding, physical education and driver's education.

The theme for grades K-8 is "Around the World in 16 Days."

The students are learning about different countries and cultures.