Indy Summer Learning Labs: Bridging the Achievement Gap
Indy Summer Learning Labs (ISLL) is a five-week academic and enrichment summer program designed to combat learning loss and drive increased academic achievement among students. Operated by The Mind Trust, ISLL partners with schools and community-based organizations to offer a blend of high-quality instruction and engaging enrichment opportunities during the summer break. The program has expanded beyond Indianapolis to reach students in other regions of Indiana.
Origins and Evolution
Indy Summer Learning Labs (ISLL) was created in 2021 by The Mind Trust and United Way of Central Indiana to combat the significant learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, The Mind Trust assumed full program management and partnered with the Indiana Department of Education to replicate ISLL to four regions across Indiana through the Expanding What Works grant program.
Program Overview
ISLL provides five weeks of math and reading instruction, taught by licensed teachers. The program serves students who will be in grades 1-9 for the upcoming school year. In 2025, ISLL will run from June 16 to July 18 at school and community-based locations across Marion County.
Each learning lab location follows the same curriculum in the morning but gets flexibility to choose their own afternoon activities. The program places licensed teachers at each participating site.
Curriculum and Instruction
The SLL English Language Arts (ELA) and math curriculum is focused on accelerated learning, rather than remediation. Created by Lavinia Group, the curriculum is aligned to Indiana state standards, promotes critical thinking skills, and is grounded in the science of reading. Instead of remediation, students work on problems that level-up their learning. The English Language Arts (ELA) and math curriculums are aligned to Indiana state standards and designed to give students material that prepares them for the next grade level.
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Accessibility and Reach
Since the program began in 2021, Summer Learning Labs has aimed to serve students who may not have access to a high-quality summer program. This remains an essential commitment for anchor partners. ISLL removes barriers to impactful, safe, and fun summer programming to impact as many students as possible. The majority of sites are free to attend, and many offer breakfast and lunch each day. Some sites are free while others can charge from $10 to $300 for the summer. Though, some scholarships may be available. Maintaining program elements that help working families access summer programming is an essential commitment for ISLL and our partners.
Partnerships and Collaboration
A hallmark of SLL is the inclusion of community organizations as site partners, along with individual schools and districts. Community centers, churches, and youth-serving nonprofits have hosted sites. Community partners work alongside districts and schools to offer ISLL. Site location partners are not burdened with the task of curriculum development, allowing them to efficiently implement high-quality summer programming. Families have shared that they appreciate program options in their neighborhood that they already know and trust.
Indianapolis schools, districts, and community-based organizations may apply to be site partners. School site applicants may include Indianapolis districts, as well as public and private schools. Community-based sites, including churches, community centers, and daycares, may apply to offer summer programming in their facilities. The Mind Trust and partners will hire, compensate, and place certified teaching staff for each community-based ISLL site.
Northwest Summer Learning Labs are a collaborative effort between Urban League of Northwest Indiana, The Indiana Department of Education, The Mind Trust, and Enroll Indy, serving students in incoming 1-9th grades, across Northwest Indiana. Northwest Summer Learning Labs provides continued summer instruction and enrichment activities to drive increased academic achievement. Enroll Indy is proud to offer a streamlined enrollment process.
Enrichment Activities
Summer fun is included! All sites offer activities like field trips, STEM clubs, athletics, cooking, arts, and more. ISLL sites receive funding to offer enrichment activities to their students.
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Program Results
Summer Learning Labs has seen double-digit learning gains since it launched in 2021. All students take an assessment at the beginning and end of the program. In 2023, results included a 23 percentage point increase in language arts and a 22 percentage point increase in math.
Impact and Future Directions
Jazmin Sanders with The Mind Trust said the program is important for students to keep using skills throughout the summer so they can stay on track with their learning. “Summer Learning Labs was started because of the COVID loss,” Sanders said. “But I think there was already lost before COVID even happened. This year, the program expanded. Most of the sites are still in Indianapolis, but many of the new sites are located in Gary, Salem, Wabash and South Bend.
“Indy Summer Learning Labs is a powerful example of how schools and community-based organizations can work together to implement innovative programs that accelerate student learning,” said Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust.
Applying to be a Site Partner
ISLL site location schools and community-based organizations work together to provide students with a blend of high-quality instruction and engaging enrichment opportunities. The deadline to apply is Friday, January 17.
Funding
The funding for the Indy Summer Learning Labs comes from the Student Learning Recovery Grant Program, created in 2021 through state legislation. It allocates $150 million to support students in literacy, math and college readiness.
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