BSAP Summer Institute Provides Academic and Enrichment Opportunities, Preparing Students for Success in School

August 22nd, 2024

Nearly 400 Howard County students took part in HCPSS’ Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) Summer Institute this summer. The program provides a combination of academic acceleration and enrichment opportunities to students entering grades kindergarten through ninth, helping to prepare them for the new school year.

As part of the program, students were introduced to academic content and coursework they will encounter in school this fall. For students in kindergarten through fourth grade, that included content related to reading and basic math skills. Students in grades 5-9 focused on English, math, and social studies.

Participating students also were exposed to school structures and schedules to help facilitate their school transitions in the fall. Rising kindergarteners, for example, were able to ride a school bus, get lunch from a lunch line, and have different teachers for classes. They also learned about, and are able to practice meeting academic, social, and behavioral expectations. Rising 5th and 6th grade students were introduced to a middle school-style course schedule, where each class was taught by a different teacher and some classes were composed of students from multiple grades.

“At BSAP Summer Institute, we incorporate both of these new aspects into our rising fifth and sixth grade schedules. Some students may feel overwhelmed by these changes, so being exposed to them can help make the transition to middle school smoother and feel less overwhelming,” explains DeAnna Watson, BSAP Summer Institute’s 5-9 grade administrator.

In addition to their academic courses and experiences, students enrolled in the BSAP Summer Institute were able to participate in a variety of enrichment courses related to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), the arts, and healthy living. This summer, such courses included Kiddie Zumba, wellness and fitness, coding, visual art, science, technology, healthy foods, Spanish, martial arts, and dance for students in grade K-4, while classes on African American Studies, art, engineering, step and dance, Spanish, wellness and fitness, basketball, food and nutrition, journalism and photography were offered for students in grades 5-9.

“These enrichment opportunities can help introduce a possible new passion or provide new opportunities to build on a passion a child already has,” says Steven Crivelli, BSAP Summer Institute’s Elementary administrator.

The BSAP Summer Institute also offers students a unique opportunity to build relationships with students from other parts of the county.

“By enabling students to meet and socialize with students outside their home school, the BSAP Summer Institute gives them a chance to have a fresh start with a new group of people and learn about themselves in the process,” Crivelli says.

At the same time, the BSAP Summer Institute provides students the opportunity to work and build relationships with diverse staff.

“The ability to connect in cross-cultural relationships is a skill students can benefit from developing. BSAP Summer Institute provides an opportunity to work on that skill in that we have a diverse group of educators in our program,” explains Watson. “Our educators have expertise in creating inclusive and nurturing classroom environments. This expertise provides students a safe space to engage in the skills needed to be able to form those diverse relationships with both other students and staff.”

In addition, BSAP Summer Institute students have the opportunity to work with high school student volunteers.

“The mentorship interactions that occur in our classrooms between the high school volunteers and our students is another factor that makes our program unique,” Watson says.

This year, students in several enrichment classes had the additional opportunity to share what they learned with their peers and families during the 5 – 9 grade BSAP Summer Institute Showcase. The event featured student artwork, fashion designs, a theatrical production, and step and dance.

Rising fifth grader Cecelia Nottage was one of the many students who performed during the Showcase.

“It was so much fun to be on stage and be in this program with other students who were interested in drama. I’m so proud of the cast and crew and everyone who helped us to get to this point. We’ve learned and grown so much and [became] like a little community,” she says.

Nottage also says that her experience at the BSAP Summer Institute has given her confidence as she heads into the coming school year.

“My teachers were so kind and worked so hard to prepare me for next year. I really feel ready for the start of school,” she says.

Rising sixth graders Joshua and Layla say they feel similarly well prepared for the year ahead.

“I learned a lot of valuable things this summer that I’ll be able to use in the future, like how to conduct an interview and write a fair and balanced story,” Joshua says.

“I learned how to take good notes and use evidence and reasoning to support my claims,” notes Layla. “Those are all things that will help me in middle school.”

Such preparation is exactly what the BSAP Summer Institute aims to provide, says Crivelli.

“By helping to identify students’ needs and strengths, and by helping them to grow academically and socially, the BSAP Summer Institute is setting students up for a successful start to the school year.”

“BSAP Summer Institute promotes and supports access to diverse learning opportunities in an inspiring, engaging and supportive environment. Our staff provide a space for scholars to learn, grow, create, and shine to maximize their academic potential and talents,” adds BSAP Supervisor Ashley Armstead.

Equally important, Watson says, is the sense of community the BSAP Summer Institute builds.

“BSAP is truly a family…We are a collective of educators who desire to see students succeed and support them both academically, socially and emotionally.”

More information about the HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program is available online.