Mayor Eric Adams And Others Launch Of Summer Rising Enrollment Portal

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Education (DOE) Chancellor David C. Banks, and New York City Department of Youth.

Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Keith Howard today announced that the application portal for 2023 Summer Rising seats will open on April 17, 2023 and will close on May 1, 2023.  Based on feedback from families, community-based organizations (CBO), and schools, the Adams administration is rolling out a new enrollment process for the approximately 110,000 Summer Rising seats available in 2023 in an effort to make the application process more equitable, inclusive, and family-friendly.

Changes to this year’s enrollment process comprise a shift away from a first-come, first-served approach, with families now being asked to rank multiple program preferences, ensuring that more families receive placements that work for them. Placements will be assigned with a focus on equity, prioritizing students in temporary housing, foster care, 12-month Individualized Education Program (IEP) programs, and students mandated for summer school and with a local connection to a school-year CBO program or school community. Similar to last year, families will utilize an online application portal to submit their enrollment request. The portal will be able to be translated and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. The DOE will be training parent coordinators to assist families who need support completing the application.

“I’m thrilled to announce that applications for Summer Rising will go live on April 17^th just in time for families as they start the summer countdown,” said Mayor Adams. “This year’s Summer Rising program will build off of last year’s very successful program, starting with changes to the application process based on feedback from families and providers. Up to 110,000 students from kindergarten through eighth grade will have the chance to grow, learn, and explore their talents and imagination. We can’t wait to welcome them back.”

“As Summer Rising enters its third year, the Adams administration is excited to continue to bring this program to new heights for students, families, and communities,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “At its heart, Summer Rising is an opportunity to keep students engaged, active, and enriched as they transition from one school grade to the next. This program ensures working parents have peace of mind during the summer months and that their students experience a new way of learning, discovery, and fun with their peers.”

“Last year, families across New York City saw firsthand the benefits of a robust summer program that provides not only academic support — addressing challenges we continue to face combatting learning loss from the pandemic — but fun and enriching activities, allowing our youngest to play, create, and develop new passions and interests,” said DOE Chancellor Banks. “I’m thrilled we will once again be offering these exciting opportunities for young people this summer, now with a more equitable and inclusive application process.”

In addressing the needs of young people, Summer Rising stresses “cultivating curiosity” and a lifelong joy of learning through:

• Activities to develop their interests, build skills, foster conversations, and generate new experiences;
• Helping young people feel more socially connected to their peers, caring adults, school community, and city; and
• Social, emotional, and academic support. 

Kindergarten through grade eight students will also have access to other resources and academic support, including teacher-led English language arts and mathematics activities tailored to meet their needs, alongside field trips and arts activities.

DYCD-funded community-based organizations will provide kindergarten through eighth grade programming at New York City public schools in all five boroughs. Six weeks of programming for middle schoolers and seven weeks for elementary school students will be available in July and August.

Any student attending school in New York City, who is currently in kindergarten through eighth grade (in the 2022-2023 school year) is eligible for Summer Rising. On April 17^th, the link to the application portal will be posted online. The application window will close on May 1, 2023, and placement confirmations will be communicated by email approximately a week after the application window closes.

“I want to encourage all New York City families to sign up for Summer Rising,” said New York City Councilmember Althea Stevens. “I appreciate the administration incorporating feedback from providers and families into this year’s rollout and look forward to the lessons we’ll learn this year as we ensure this program works for our kids.”