PREVENT THE SUMMER SLIDE
2026 SUMMER PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Welcome parents!
For over 25 years, Upper Room KC has partnered 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. In 2026, Upper Room KC will operate 13 sites, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Each site is led by a Site Director who oversees curriculum implementation and daily operations.
Aligned with Missouri Learning Standards, our certified teachers implement a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for the upcoming school year. In addition, students participate in enrichment activities in art, music, and physical education, fostering creativity, collaboration, and engagement in a dynamic learning environment.
PROGRAM ENROLLMENT
To enroll your child(ren), please review the FAQs below and complete the application by May 22, 2026. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. You may register multiple children on one application. Once accepted, you will receive a confirmation email with additional details (please check your spam folder). In the meantime, we encourage you to review 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.
CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We are currently hiring certified teachers, substitute teachers, youth development leaders, and volunteer tutors for the 2026 Summer Academic Program. This eight-week program serves students in grades K–8 and focuses on literacy and reading development alongside enrichment programming.
Join us in making a meaningful impact on the educational outcomes of children in the Kansas City community. Apply today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the Summer Program sites located?
Below is a list of 2026 sites by location and grade level. Students may enroll at only one site. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Bethel AME Church
2329 Flora Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64108
Grades: K–6 - Calvary Temple Baptist Church (STEM-Focused Programming)
2940 Holmes, Kansas City, MO 64109
Grades: 6–8 - Covenant Presbyterian Church
5931 Swope Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64130
Grades: K–5 - Each One Teach One Learning Center
8129 Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131
Grades: K–6 - Friendship Baptist Church
3530 Chelsea Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64128
Grades: K–6 - Garrison Community Center
1124 E. 5th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
Grades: K–8 - 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 - Palestine Missionary Baptist Church
3619 E. 35th Street, Kansas City, MO 64128
Grades: K–6 - Paseo Baptist Church
2501 Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64128
Grades: K–6 - James 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, 2026 to be eligible for enrollment. Students who do 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 2026.
Is there a cost for the program?
No. 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): 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.
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, students may not bring cell phones or electronic devices. Upper Room KC is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Can my child bring his/her own lunch?
Students may bring their own lunch; however, breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided. We do not serve pork or peanut products in accordance with USDA guidelines and to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies.
Will there be field trips?
Yes. Detailed information will be provided during Parent Orientation. Please do not send money for field trips.
Can I attend field trips with my child?
For safety reasons, parents may not attend field trips or pick up students from field trip locations. All students must return on the bus. We make every effort to return by 4:30 PM.
Will my child receive an incentive at the end of the program?
Students who meet program expectations may qualify for a cash gift card at the end of the program. Requirements include:
- Meeting attendance expectations
- Maintaining a C average
- Refraining from significant disciplinary infractions
- Completing both pre- and post-tests
- Completing a civic engagement activity
Gift card amounts are based on attendance:
- Perfect attendance (38 days, no tardies):$150
- One absence (37 days, no more than 3 tardies):$125
- Two absences (36 days, no more than 6 tardies):$100
Note 1: Three tardies equal one absence.
Note 2: Students must attend the full academic day to qualify.
Note 3: Completion standards will be communicated during the program.
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.