Mia, second grader, contemplates her next move while building a zoo with Lego engineering blocks during Imagination Station Summer Camp at Nina Otero Community School.

SFPS Summer Programming Tops 5,000 Students

Tara Melton

June 12, 2024

In an all-time first, SFPS’ summer program is serving more than 5,000 SFPS students, Superintendent Hilario “Larry” Chavez said today, June 12th.  “We’re reaching just under 50 percent of the district’s enrollment through free summer programming, work-based learning opportunities, structured literacy and summer athletic conditioning,” he said.  “This is a remarkable milestone.

“The response from parents and students has been astounding.  It’s exciting to once again offer a multitude of opportunities for students to stay engaged with their learning while having fun!” said Superintendent Chavez.

Edwin, a fourth grader, designs a custom keychain in Tinkercad that he’ll create via 3D printer during Code Summer Camp at Ramirez Thomas Elementary.

Summer programming is reaching 4,402 students at 13 sites through offerings ranging from Math Adventure Camp, to Go Kart Camp, to Rock Camp, to Spanish Splash, to credit recovery.  More than 100 SFPS students are participating in summer internships, over 250 SFPS students are enrolled in the New Mexico Public Education Department’s Structured Literacy Support School Initiative and more than 200 SFPS students are participating in summer athletic conditioning programs.

"We thank the SFPS Board of Education, city of Santa Fe, site and district staff and our business and community partners, including Audubon NM, Cooking With Kids, ArtWorks, Children and Teen Safety Workshops, Girls Inc., Hands On Heritage and Reunity Farms, for ensuring high-quality services at our school sites and summer camps," said Crystal Ybarra, SFPS chief equity, diversity and engagement officer.

Students at Imagination Station Summer Camp at Nina Otero Community School participate in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Chain Challenge. During this activity, students competed in teams to build the longest chain and learned valuable lessons in team collaboration.

This is SFPS’ third year to offer free summer programming.  “Last year, SFPS and a cadre of community partners reached nearly a quarter of the district’s student population with fun and engaging programs. This summer is breaking records!" said Superintendent Chavez.

In 2023, over 3,350 students participated in SFPS summer programming in June and July, an increase of almost 650 students over 2022.

“Last year’s results showed that by being creative with summer programming, internships and standards-based instruction, we’re starting to impact student outcomes,” he said.

Mileena, fourth grader, learns about irrigation and acequias while building a bridge with cups, straws and pipecleaners during Imagination Station Summer Camp at Nina Otero Community School.