Carlsbad Educational Foundation Announces Formation of Inaugural Summer Academy for High School Students

CARLSBAD, Calif., April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Carlsbad Educational Foundation (CEF), a non-profit organization devoted to developing and launching educational and enrichment programs for nearly 11,000 Carlsbad students, announces the formation of the first CEF Summer Academy. This annual program provides a wide spectrum of courses for both academic advancement and credit as well as offerings for college preparation and sports camps. CEF is sponsoring these summer programs for incoming students in grades 9 to 12 in the Carlsbad community and surrounding cities at a time when state budget cuts are eliminating the number of summer school programs available to local families.

The curriculum for CEF Summer Academy has been uniquely designed by CEF with a great deal of assistance from the Carlsbad Unified School District to enhance students' summer educational opportunities. A variety of academic courses for credit are available, including Algebra I, Geometry, World History, U.S. History, Government, Economics, Spanish 3, Digital Photography, Computer Applications, Dance I, Theater I, Oral Interpretation, PE, and others.

As part of this inaugural session, CEF also will be offering non-credit SAT and college preparatory classes as well as sports camps, such as tennis, soccer, track and volleyball for boys and girls.

According to Valin Brown, CEO of the Carlsbad Educational Foundation, this first-ever Summer Academy was developed in response to a growing need for opportunities that enable students to advance their coursework and gain greater scheduling flexibility during the school year. "We've heard from parents and students alike that it's vitally important to have access to programs that facilitate learning throughout the entire year," he explains. "In creating CEF's Summer Academy, we're presenting an exciting new avenue for students to further their education while enhancing their high-school experience."

In a recent survey of nearly 500 Carlsbad families with students at Carlsbad High School, more than 77 percent of those polled reported that their children would be interested in taking summer classes to get ahead in their coursework. "The Carlsbad Unified School District applauds the Carlsbad Educational Foundation for offering our students an alternative way to enhance their high-school experience," says CUSD superintendant John Roach. "At a time when many districts are cutting back on their educational programs due to budget shortfalls, we are extremely pleased to have CEF offering increased learning opportunities."

The slate of one-semester (three weeks) or two-semester (six weeks) classes will be held at Carlsbad High School, starting Tuesday, June 14th through Friday, July 22nd. Classes will meet four days a week, typically from 7:45 a.m. to 1:05 p.m. Tuition for the six-week, 10-credit courses is $495; tuition for the three-week, five-credit classes is $249. For full coursework descriptions and registration details, visit www.CEFAcademy.org.

The deadline to register for the first CEF Summer Academy is Friday, May 27th.  Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must register based on the grade they will be entering in the fall. Courses are for advancement or enrichment and not credit recovery or remediation. All credit courses meet the graduation requirements at Carlsbad High School. Non-CUSD students are invited to attend and should check with their current school's policies on transferring Summer Academy credit before enrolling. Limited scholarship funds are available through CEF for income-eligible families.

Carlsbad Educational Foundation

The Carlsbad Educational Foundation (CEF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 1983 to raise private support for public education and the enrichment of nearly 11,000 students in the Carlsbad Unified School District. CEF develops, conducts and finances innovative, quality educational programs and projects. Since its inception, the foundation has contributed nearly $5 million in funds to Carlsbad schools, primarily for science, technology, arts and reading. In 2010 alone, the foundation released nearly half a million dollars in support of K-5 music programs, hands-on science, and educationally innovative programs. The foundation also operates a K-8 Summer Enrichment Program as well as Kids' Care, a comprehensive before- and after-school childcare program. For more information, visit www.carlsbaded.org.

SOURCE Carlsbad Educational Foundation