PREVENT THE SUMMER SLIDE
Summer Academic Program
The story of our Summer Academic Program begins in 1999, as the result of a large focus group consisting of the predominant heads of household in the communities we support: single mothers.
In the program’s first summer, 250 students applied for our 90 available spots, indicating an immediate need to grow. Since then, we’ve expanded the program to serve over 1,500 students annually in partnership with the schools, community centers, and churches that serve as our sites.
Developed in accordance with Missouri Learning Standards, our Summer Academic Program is ideal for K-8 students and offers 11 hours per day of free programming for six weeks. Every site runs from 7:30am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday, and has directors that provide curriculum oversight and manage operations.
For more information about enrolling your student in our Summer Academic Program please review our summer program FAQ.
We provide educational continuity and prevent the dreaded Summer Slide.
Our certified teachers provide a precursor to the skills, strategies, and content students will explore during the next academic school year.
We support academic engagement in a fun environment.
Along with our academic curriculum, we give our students access to enrichment activities that include field trips, lessons in art, music, and more.
We are accessible to working and low-income families alike.
With support from the state and partner schools, all Upper Room KC’s after-school programs are either free, subsidized, or low cost.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Bethel AME Church (Grades K-6): 2329 Flora Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64108
Calvary Temple Baptist Church (Grades: 6-8) -- 2940 Holmes
Covenant Presbyterian Church (Grades: K-5) -- 5931 Swope Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64130
Each One Teach One Learning Center (Grades K-6) -- 8129 Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131
Friendship Baptist Church (Grades: K–6) -- 3530 Chelsea Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64128
Garrison Community Center (Grades: K-8) -- 1124 E. 5th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
Holy Cross (Grades: K-8) -- 121 N. Quincy, Kansas City, MO 64123
Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy (Grades: K-8) -- 5000 E. 17th Street, Kansas City, MO 64127
Mary Williams Neal Community Center (Grades: K-5) -- 3801 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64130
Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church (Grades: K-6) -- 2310 E. Linwood, Kansas City, MO 64109
Palestine Missionary Baptist Church (Grades: K-6) -- 3619 E. 35th Street, Kansas City, MO 64128
Paseo Baptist Church (Grades: K–6) -- 2501 Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64128
St. James Church (Grades: K-5) -- 5540 Wayne, Kansas City, MO 64110
English Language Arts (ELA): Focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Mathematics: Daily grade-level instruction.
STEM: Calvary Temple Baptist Church will host an eight-week STEM Innovation Lab for middle school students, combining chemistry, coding, and DJ performance. Students will participate in hands-on experiments, build coding skills, and explore audio engineering fundamentals. The program culminates in an end-of-summer showcase.
Fine Arts: Arts programming for all students.
Nutrition & Wellness: Recreational activities promoting physical health.
Field Trips: Afternoon trips designed as educational rewards for academic achievement.
