Summer Enrichment Program
A summer designed for growth, confidence, and meaningful learning.
The dePaul School’s Summer Enrichment Program offers a supportive, structured experience for students who benefit from explicit instruction in reading, writing, and math.
Designed for rising Kindergarten through Grade 5 students with dyslexia or related language-based learning differences, this program blends evidence-based academics with creativity, collaboration, and fun. With small class sizes and expert teachers (student-to-teacher ratio: 7:1 or lower), students build essential skills and gain confidence in a warm, encouraging environment.
Whether a child is preparing for their first year at dePaul or simply needs a reset after a tough school year, the Summer Program offers more than maintenance—it offers momentum.
Who is it for?
The Summer Enrichment Program is ideal for students who:
-
Struggle with foundational reading and/or math skills
-
Benefit from structured, multisensory instruction
-
Thrive in small-group learning environments
Placement testing is part of the admissions process to ensure students are grouped appropriately by age and academic needs.
Program Options & Daily Schedule
Families may choose morning-only or full-day enrollment.
-
Arrival: 8:40–9:00 AM
-
Morning Session: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
-
Lunch: 12:00–12:30 PM
-
Afternoon Session: 12:30–3:00 PM
-
Aftercare: 3:00–5:00 PM (optional)
How We Organize Our Days
Morning Academic Focus
Morning sessions provide targeted instruction in literacy through structured, multisensory approaches:
-
Orton-Gillingham–based phonics
-
Reading comprehension
-
Composition and handwriting
-
Reading fluency
The program concludes with a Reader’s Theatre performance, giving students the opportunity to showcase their growth in reading fluency while building confidence and collaboration
Reading and language arts instruction is grounded in the Orton-Gillingham method using a trusted, research-based curriculum.
Instruction is interactive, engaging and designed to strengthen core skills while building confidence and independence.
Afternoon Enrichment & Exploration
Afternoons blend math instruction with hands-on science and creative problem-solving.
Math
-
Zearn
-
Happy Numbers
-
Fact fluency strategies
-
Everyday Math partner games
STEAM: 'Welcome to the Dolphin Pool'
Inspired by Shark Tank, students design a product that solves a real-world problem and pitch their idea to local entrepreneurs.
The unit culminates in a field trip to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where students learn how innovation and engineering helped create a prosthetic tail for an injured dolphin.