PREVENT THE SUMMER SLIDE
SUMMER PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Welcome parents!
For over 25 years, Upper Room KC has been dedicated to partnering with schools, churches, and community centers to provide a free Summer Academic Program for youth in the Greater Kansas City area.
Thanks to support from the State of Missouri and local education agencies, our Summer Academic Program is offered at no cost to Kansas City families. The program includes breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. This year, we are operating 11 sites, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Each site will have a Site Director overseeing both the curriculum and daily operations.
Aligned with Missouri Learning Standards, our certified teachers implement a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for the upcoming school year. Additionally, students will engage in a variety of enrichment activities in art, music, and physical education, fostering creativity, collaboration, and interaction in a dynamic learning environment.
PROGRAM ENROLLMENT
To enroll your child(ren), please review the FAQs below and complete the application by May 23, 2025. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. You may register multiple children on a single application. Once accepted, you will receive a confirmation email with further details. Please remember to check your spam folder. In the meantime, please familiarize yourself with our Parent Handbook.
NOTE: Children must be 5 years old by August 31, 2025, to be eligible for the program.
If you have already registered your child(ren), please do not submit a second application.

START THE APPLICATION
2025 PROGRAM LOCATIONS
Calvary Temple Baptist Church – Grades: 6-8
2940 Holmes, Kansas City, MO 64109
Covenant Presbyterian Church – Grades: K-5
5931 Swope Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64130
Garrison Community Center – Grades: K-8
1124 E. 5th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
Gregg Klice Community Center – Grades: K-5
1600 John Buck O’Neil Way, Kansas City, MO 64108
Holy Cross Catholic School – 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
The Mount Christian Worship Center – Grades: K-5
1800 E. 79th Street, Kansas City, MO 64132
Palestine Missionary Baptist Church – Grades: K-6
3619 E. 35th Street, Kansas City, MO 64128
St. James United Methodist Church – Grades: K-5
5540 Wayne, Kansas City, MO 64110
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the Summer Program sites located?
Here is a list of available sites for the 2025 Summer Academic Program by location and grade. Students may only enroll at ONE site, and spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Calvary Temple Baptist Church
2940 Holmes, Kansas City, MO 64109
Grades: 6-8 - Covenant Presbyterian Church
5931 Swope Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64130
Grades: K-5 - Garrison Community Center
1124 E. 5th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
Grades: K-8 - Gregg Klice Community Center
1600 John Buck O’Neil Way, Kansas City, MO 64108
Grades: K-5 - Holy Cross Catholic School
121 N. Quincy, Kansas City, MO 64123
Grades: K-8 - Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy
5000 E. 17th Street, Kansas City, MO 64127
Grades: K-8 - Mary Williams Neal Community Center
3801 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64130
Grades: K-5 - Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church
2310 E. Linwood, Kansas City, MO 64109
Grades: K-6 - The Mount Christian Worship Center
1800 E. 79th Street, Kansas City, MO 64132
Grades: K-5 - Palestine Missionary Baptist Church
3619 E. 35th Street, Kansas City, MO 64128
Grades: K-6 - St. James United Methodist Church
5540 Wayne, Kansas City, MO 64110
Grades: K-5
What are the hours of the Summer Academic Program?
All sites open from 7:30am – 6:00pm, Monday through Friday
Can I drop my child off early?
Sites open at 7:30am. Students are not allowed to be dropped off early or left at the site unsupervised.
How old does my child have to be to participate in the summer program?
Your child must be 5 years old by August 31, 2025, to be eligible for enrollment. Any child who does not meet this age requirement will be withdrawn from the program.
What grade levels does the Summer Academic Program serve?
The program is open to students entering kindergarten through eighth grade in the fall of 2025.
Is there a cost for the program?
The Summer Academic Program is completely free for eligible families.
Do you provide transportation?
Transportation is not provided. However, sites are located throughout the Greater Kansas City area for your convenience.
Which subjects are covered in the curriculum?
English Language Arts (ELA): Certified teachers focus on developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Mathematics: Students engage daily with a curriculum tailored to their grade level.
Fine Arts: All students participate in arts programming during the summer.
Nutrition and Wellness: Afternoon recreational activities promote physical health and wellness.
Field Trips: These are scheduled in the afternoon as a reward for academic achievements and offer fun, educational experiences around the city.
What is the latest time of arrival?
Students arriving after 8:00 AM will be marked as tardy.
Can my child bring a cell phone?
To promote a focused learning environment, Upper Room KC does not permit students to bring cell phones or other electronic devices. Please note that Upper Room KC is not responsible for any lost or stolen devices.
Can my child bring his/her own lunch?
Students may bring their own lunch; however, breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided at all sites. We refrain from serving pork and peanut products in our meals in accordance with USDA guidelines to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies.
Will there be field trips?
Yes, Upper Room KC coordinates several field trips throughout the summer. Detailed information will be provided during parent orientation. We kindly request that parents refrain from sending money for field trips
Can I attend field trips with my child?
For safety reasons, parents are not permitted to attend field trips or pick children up from field trips. All students must return on the bus from field trips. We make every effort to return from all field trips by 4:30pm.
Will my child receive an incentive at the end of the program?
Students who meet the following criteria will be eligible for a gift card at the end of the program:
- Students who meet the attendance requirements
- Maintain a C average in academics
- Demonstrate positive behavior and good conduct
- Complete both the pre- and post-tests
Gift card amounts are based on attendance:
- Perfect attendance (all 38 days attended /no tardies): $150
- One day missed (37 days attended/no more than1 day or 3 tardies): $125
- Two days missed (36 days attended/ no more than 2 days or 6 tardies): $100
Note 1: Three tardies count as one absence.
Note 2: Students must attend the entire academic day to be eligible for the incentive.
Can my child miss days?
While we understand that students may have doctor’s appointments or family vacations, absences are allowed. However, to qualify for the incentive, students must adhere to the attendance policy, including tardies.
I didn’t receive a confirmation email; is my child enrolled?
After submitting your application, you should receive a confirmation email. If you haven't received it, please check your spam or junk folder. Once your application is reviewed, you will receive another email with your child’s assigned site location.
Can I enroll more than one child?
Yes, you can enroll multiple children in your household as long as they meet the age and grade requirements. You can register multiple children on a single application.
Can my child bring a backpack?
Yes, students may bring a backpack. However, please note that sites do not have lockers or secure areas to store personal items. Upper Room KC is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings.
I made a mistake in the application. How do I make changes?
To make corrections to an existing application, please contact us at summer@upperroomkc.org with "Correction" in the subject line.
Can I cancel my application?
If you need to cancel your application, please contact us at summer@upperroomkc.org with "Cancel" in the subject line.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Calvary Temple Baptist Church (Grades: 6-8) -- 2940 Holmes
Covenant Presbyterian Church (Grades: K-5) -- 5931 Swope Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64130
Garrison Community Center (Grades: K-8) -- 1124 E. 5th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
Gregg Klice Community Center (Grades: K-5) -- 1600 John Buck O’Neil Way, Kansas City, MO 64108
Holy Cross Catholic School (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
The Mount Christian Worship Center (Grades: K-5) -- 1800 E. 79th Street, Kansas City, MO 64132
Palestine Missionary Baptist Church (Grades: K-6) -- 3619 E. 35th Street, Kansas City, MO 64128
St. James Church (Grades: K-5) -- 5540 Wayne, Kansas City, MO 64110
English Language Arts (ELA): Certified teachers focus on developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Mathematics: Students engage daily with a curriculum tailored to their grade level.
Fine Arts: All students participate in arts programming during the summer.
Nutrition and Wellness: Afternoon recreational activities promote physical health and wellness.
Field Trips: These are scheduled in the afternoon as a reward for academic achievements and offer fun, educational experiences around the city.
