| Resume a previously saved form
Resume Later

In order to be able to resume this form later, please enter your email and choose a password.

Password must contain the following:
  • 12 Characters
  • 1 Uppercase letter
  • 1 Lowercase letter
  • 1 Number
  • 1 Special character
Logos

Summer 2025 5th Quarter of Summer Learning Application

DUE: Monday, February 10th, 2025 at 5pm

5th Quarter of Summer Learning Overview

The Boston Public Schools (BPS) 5th Quarter Portfolio, a division of the Opportunity Portfolio, is a key strategy for identifying and increasing equitable access to quality summer learning opportunities.

Our Mission:

The 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program is designed to bridge the gap between traditional school years by providing an equitable, enriching summer experience for Boston students. The program leverages the city’s rich cultural, historical, and educational resources to extend learning beyond the classroom, with the goal of fostering academic growth, social-emotional development, stronger peer and adult relationships, and preparing students for college and career readiness. By addressing both academic and non-academic needs, the program provides students with a holistic experience that equips them with the skills and confidence to succeed in school and beyond.

5th Quarter Summer Learning programs will achieve the following outcomes:
  1. Students build ELA and Math skills relevant to student grade level, using hands-on, project-based learning methodology.
  2. Students develop social emotional skills through interest-based, hands-on learning opportunities and enriching activities.
  3. Students gain increased exposure to outside experiences and cultural resources of Boston.
  4. Students in grades 7-12 gain exposure to additional 'possible selves', increasing their knowledge of and interest in various postsecondary pathways.
5th Quarter Requirements and Considerations 

Please check the box for each of the following to acknowledge the requirements for participating in the 5th Quarter of Summer Learning:
Program Type



Additional details on criteria for the chosen category: 
  1. The program must offer a minimum number of program hours and academic hours, according to the following guidelines:
    • Program must span a minimum of 24 total days offered at a minimum of 6 hours per day for a minimum of 144 total program hours.
    • Program must offer a minimum of 72 hours of ELA and/or Math aligned with BPS Academic Standards and grade-level Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
    • Program must include enrichment activities and programming into the schedule.  Enrichment can be provided by program staff, via an after-school program provider, or through an external organization that is contracted to provide enrichment services.
  2. Program MUST implement the following measurement tools:
Evaluation Chart

Additional details on criteria for the chosen category: 
  1. The program must offer a minimum number of program hours and academic hours, according to the following guidelines:
    • Program must span a minimum of 24 total days offered at a minimum of 6 hours per day for a minimum of 144 total program hours.
    • Program must offer a minimum of 72 hours of ELA and/or Math aligned with BPS Academic Standards and grade-level Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
    • Program must include enrichment activities and programming into the schedule.  Enrichment can be provided by program staff, via an after-school program provider, or through an external organization that is contracted to provide enrichment services.
  2. Schools must accept a minimum of 15% of participants from the surrounding neighborhood and/or other school(s). Up to 85% of student participants may be enrolled from the home school.
  3. Program MUST implement the following measurement tools:
Evaluation Chart

Additional details on criteria for the chosen category: 
  1. The program must offer a minimum number of program hours and academic hours, according to the following grade level guidelines:
    • Program must span a minimum of 20 total days offered at a minimum of 4 hours per day for a minimum of 80 total academic content hours. 
    • The academic content must be aligned with BPS Academic Standards and grade-level Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks or relevant college-level standards.
  2. School must accept a minimum of 15% of participants from the surrounding neighborhood and/or other school(s). Up to 85% of student participants may be enrolled from the home school.
  3. Program MUST implement the following measurement tools:
Evaluation Chart
BPS Schools and Community Partners that meet the minimum criteria and are committed to expanding opportunities for Boston Public Schools students to equitably access anti-racist and culturally and linguistically relevant summer learning programs are invited to apply for the 2025 5th Quarter Portfolio using this application. Applications that do not meet the minimum criteria will not be considered.

Prior to submitting your application, it is recommended applicants attend a 5th Quarter Information Session.

Timeline

January 27th: Release of 5th Quarter Application
January 27th - February 7th: Scheduled Information Sessions and Application Support calls
February 10th: 5th Quarter Application due by 5pm
February 11th: Reviewers will begin to score applications and will reach out with any questions or concerns regarding your submitted application.
  • Applications will be reviewed and scored (using this rubric) by a panel of experts that is committed to developing and fostering an inclusive and equitable community of summer learning partners and experiences. Our review committee will include Central Office Staff, School Staff, and Students who will audit your application for service category eligibility and alignment to the BPS Strategic Plan 2020-2025. Strong application candidates will have a robust academic component and will meet or exceed the minimum criteria for academic hours. Application scoring also takes into account the Opportunity Index of schools served, and applicants will receive a copy of their scores after funding decisions are released.
Early to Mid-March: 5th Quarter programs selected and announced, followed by 5th Quarter Orientation.

Questions? Please submit all related questions via email to summerlearning@bostonpublicschools.org





















Program Model

Schedule
Please complete the schedule information accurately as it will be used promote your program online on BPS' Summer Stuff, Boston Beyond's program locator page, and enrollment platforms.
Requirement: Programs must run July 8 - August 8 for 6 hours or more per day, Monday-Friday.
Requirement: Programs must run July 8 - August 8 for 4 hours or more per day.






Staffing

Curriculum

Summer Learning Academies are expected to engage students with high quality academic experiences in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math curriculum. 

To support programs in this effort, BPS has made Summer Early Focus curriculum available for programs serving students entering pre-k (K0 and K1) through third grade in the upcoming school year.

ELA and Math curriculum is in development for all grade levels for Summer 2025 and will be distributed when finalized for programs to review and implement. 

Programs are welcome to propose utilizing their own curriculum that is aligned to Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Curriculum Frameworks, and BPS Teaching and Learning Standards.









Boston Public Schools Nondiscrimination Policy

The Boston Public Schools is committed to maintaining an educational environment and workplace where individuals of all backgrounds and experiences are welcomed, encouraged, included, and can flourish. We aim to eliminate all forms of bias and bigotry, including discrimination based on race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), physical or mental disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics, and military status. The Boston Public Schools is resolved that prejudice and disparate treatment will never impede our learners or our educators. (Please see full BPS Nondiscrimination Policy).

This section is not applicable to Non-Profits/Fiscally Sponsored Programs. Please proceed to the next page. 

Programs must include both academic and enrichment activities and programming into the schedule.  Enrichment can be provided by program staff, via an afterschool program provider, or through an external organization that is contracted to provide enrichment services. 





Reminder: The minimum criteria is 30 BPS students per site.
Please fill out the information below for Site 1.

Once you have completed all questions about this site, select "Add another site" at the bottom of the page to add Site 2. Repeat this process for any additional sites.
Site



How Can Families Learn More About the Site?




Anticipated Site Location 








Due to limited availability of specific BPS Facilities for Summer 2025, you are asked to prioritize three school sites that could accommodate your program. Remember to seek confirmation with the school leader prior to listing their school as an anticipated site location for Summer 2025.



Students Served

NOTE: For the number of students below, only enter the number of BPS students. Do not include any non-BPS students.
Number of BPS Students
Current K0/Rising K1
Current K1/Rising K2
Current K2/Rising 1
Current 1/Rising 2
Current 2/Rising 3
Current 3/Rising 4
Current 4/Rising 5
Current 5/Rising 6
Current 6/Rising 7
Current 7/Rising 8
Current 8/Rising 9
Current 9/Rising 10
Current 10/Rising 11
Current 11/Rising 12
Total for all grades
Direct Funding
Direct Funding will be provided on a per seat basis based on the number of BPS students served.
This is automatically populated from the above section.

Budget

Important Note: Please note that BPS Staff, including instructional staff and site coordinators, will be determined separately and should NOT be included in the budget below.


For each category below, please enter the dollar amount of funding requested from BPS/Boston Beyond:
Your Requested Per Seat Value will be taken into consideration for funding decisions; however, we anticipate programs needing $250-750 per seat. The application will not allow submissions greater than $1,000 per seat.

Save my progress and resume later | Resume a previously saved form